Getting worked up

Just then, police sirens rang out. Arrogant as the gang was, they were still afraid of the police.

They hauled Xu Zhou up, intending to take him with them.

But the police seemed to be coming specifically for Xu Zhou, so the gang had no choice but to abandon him, tossing him aside.

Before long, Xu Zhou was sitting in the police station drinking tea, feeling rather bewildered.

The officer on duty treated him kindly, even with a little sympathy. He reassured him, "Don't be scared, kid. You'll see your little sister soon."

But since when did he have a little sister?

A short while later, someone unexpected appeared at the station entrance: the little girl who had been pestering him earlier.

"Go on, find your sister!" The officer's face was full of warmth. "Stay away from those thugs from now on. It's not easy for two siblings to get by with only each other. If you run into any trouble, remember to come to the police."

Xu Zhou nodded obediently and left with the little girl.

On the way, the girl lifted her face with a triumphant smile. "Well? I told you I was smart."

Xu Zhou said nothing, and the girl thought he was still unwilling.

Annoyed, she stamped her foot and snapped, "What's wrong with you, you big lug? I saved you! They nearly beat you to death!"

There was no discernible emotion on Xu Zhou's face. He crouched down, picked a little flower blooming by the roadside, and offered it to her. "My name is Xu Zhou. Everyone calls me Mad Dog."

The girl's eyes lit up. Her laughter sounded like the clear chime of wind bells in spring. "My name is Fang Tang."

The two walked side by side in the shadows, in corners the sunlight could not reach.

You and I were born base and vile, but my love for you will always burn bright and sacred.

Always nobler than that of any great figure.

As the memories ended, Fang Tang murmured instinctively, "Xu Zhou, I love you..."

When she opened her eyes again, she was back in the familiar sanatorium. She was the only one lying on the cold floor.

Fang Tang panicked a little. She sat up and anxiously looked around.

No one. No one. Only her.

It was Xu Zhou. Xu Zhou had used his unique reversal skill to transfer all the damage to himself.

When he had first obtained the skill, Fang Tang had even teased him that if she ever got hurt, he could reverse it onto himself. He could take a beating better anyway.

But she had never imagined...

That Xu Zhou would trade his life for hers.

Perhaps she was selfish by nature. She could not imagine anyone being willing to give their life to save her.

Why, Xu Zhou?

Fang Tang found a corner and crouched there, crying silently.

Why, Xu Zhou? Didn't we promise that we would survive by any means necessary, even if we had to kill each other?

You're so noble. How could I ever deserve you?

After they returned to their lodgings, Yin Chao's phone rang.

Bai Xu followed behind him, looking a little surprised.

Yin Chao answered, murmured a couple of acknowledgments, and quickly hung up.

He looked at Bai Xu and raised an eyebrow. "What? That surprised someone would call me?"

Bai Xu said nothing, yet somehow that said everything.

Yin Chao waved a hand. "Fine, it wasn't a friend. It was my college advisor, telling me to come back to class."

"I nearly forgot you were still a university student," Bai Xu said. "Oh, Liang Chen goes to your university too. You seemed to get along pretty well last time. He'll probably come looking for you."

Yin Chao felt a headache coming on. He rarely paid attention to what happened on campus.

But someone like Liang Chen, handsome and friendly, was bound to be a celebrity in human society.

Sure enough, the next day, as soon as he stepped out of the classroom after his eight a.m. class, he saw a huge crowd of onlookers.

"Yin Chao! Little Chao-Chao! It's me! Remember me?"

The other man wagged his tail, inviting recognition.

Yin Chao coldly rejected him. "Sorry, don't know you."

One happy puppy promptly retracted.

"You're so mean! How could you not remember me?"

There were far too many people watching, and Liang Chen was acting like a victim wounded by a scumbag lover.

Unable to stand it, Yin Chao went with Liang Chen after all.

Liang Chen chattered the entire way. "A B-rank instance, and they actually lost Mad Dog. Everyone in the Ares Guild is furious. Thank goodness An Nian and Long Zang are okay..."

"And that S-rank instance last time-Midnight and I have been wanting to properly thank you!"

Yin Chao stopped and asked suspiciously, "Midnight wants to thank me too?"

"Yeah! He said he'd treat you to dinner! I'll call him out right now. That guy's loaded, so make sure you get a good meal out of him!"

As he spoke, Liang Chen took out his phone to make the call.

Unfortunately, its battery had just died.

He gave an awkward smile. Feeling too embarrassed to borrow Yin Chao's phone to call Midnight, he went into a nearby café to ask.

"Hi, do you have a power outlet?"

The employee replied expressionlessly, "Sir, I'm the staff member."

Liang Chen froze for a moment, then continued, "No, I mean something I can plug into..."

Looking at Liang Chen's handsome face, the six-foot-tall young man suddenly blushed. "Sorry, sir, this is a café. You can add me on WeChat..."

Liang Chen couldn't make sense of what the employee was saying. I have to add him on WeChat just to charge my phone?

"What are you doing?" Midnight suddenly appeared, though his expression looked rather grim.

Liang Chen's eyes lit up. Speak of the devil!

"You're here! Great, now I don't have to charge my phone!"

Upon hearing that it was about charging a phone, the young employee looked embarrassed. Midnight's expression, on the other hand, eased considerably.

He turned to Yin Chao. "Let's go eat."

"Hey, hey! Ditching your friend for a pretty face!" Liang Chen followed behind them, shouting indignantly.

"What kind of food do you like?" Midnight asked.

Yin Chao thought for a moment and realized he seemed to prefer spicy food. "I like dishes with a bit of heat."

So, on Liang Chen's recommendation, the three went to a hot pot restaurant.

The gleaming, oily red broth looked incredibly tempting. Yin Chao ate with his mouth watering and his cheeks flushed.

Midnight barely ate, however. By the time he went to pay, he had only taken a few bites.

Liang Chen looked at Yin Chao as though he knew what he wanted to ask, and reassured him, "Midnight doesn't seem to have much of an appetite. I honestly think he doesn't like any human food."

He leaned closer to Yin Chao and whispered, "So once, I brought him a bag of dog food..."

"And then?" Yin Chao asked.

"Then I beat him up," Midnight supplied, having appeared behind them at some point.

Liang Chen stuck out his tongue and said no more.

Life in the real world was leisurely. After their meal that day, Yin Chao added Midnight on WeChat.

His profile picture was a black background, just like his name: Midnight.

His WeChat name was the initials WY, and there was nothing in his Moments.

Even his WeChat is so mysterious.

That was what Yin Chao thought.

He fiddled with his phone. Having just showered, he took a selfie in the mirror.

His wet hair lay obediently against either side of his face, making his already delicate features look even more docile. His half-open bathrobe set off his fair skin.

He looked like someone you couldn't help wanting to tease.

Yin Chao looked at their WeChat conversation. Apart from the greetings they had exchanged when they first added each other, there were no other messages.

He casually sent the photo over.

The reply came quickly: a question mark.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Yin Chao curled his lips into a smug smile.

Then he recalled the photo and sent a message.

: Sorry, wrong person.

The other man's message arrived almost immediately.

: Who was it for

Look at that. Getting worked up.

Yin Chao closed WeChat without replying. I'll sleep well tonight, but the same might not be true for certain other people.