Death Progress Bar 137
Summer Vacation
On the third day of staying at the sanatorium, Lian Jun packed Shi Jin up and stuffed him into the car.
Shi Jin had an unhappy look all over his face and frowned, saying, “I don’t want to go to school.”
“Even if you don’t want to, you must go. You’ve already missed the intensive training and mid-term exams. You must properly complete the rest of the semester’s courses and final exams.” Lian Jun gave him no room for negotiation as he sat into the car with him, softening his tone to appease him, “I’ll come pick you up on Friday.”
Shi Jin kept a straight face and didn’t speak.
“This is your mission report and file update record for this time. Remember to submit it to your counselor after returning to school. You need to memorize the contents of the report as soon as possible, so don’t slip up.” Lian Jun placed a report into his hands and instructed carefully.
He even prepared the report?
Shi Jin turned his head to look at him and accused, “Did you already plan to stuff me back into school when we were still on the island?”
Lian Jun nodded honestly.
Shi Jin sat up straight in anger, opening his mouth as if about to wail.
“Don’t you miss your friends?” Lian Jun asked.
Shi Jin paused and replied, “But I want to stay with you more. Your health—”
“My physical condition has stabilized. As long as I take my medicine on time, the remaining toxins in my body won’t become active again, and those dangerous symptoms won’t reappear. My upcoming treatment will focus mainly on recuperation. With Uncle Long watching over me, everything will be fine.”
Shi Jin was still uneasy and said, “But…”
“Shi Jin, I don’t want your precious college life to be spent meaningless on taking care of me.” Lian Jun gently held his hand and said softly, “College is only four years. Rather than having you worry day after day by my side over dull and meaningless daily chores, I prefer you go out, encounter, and learn new things to build a more solid foundation for your future life.”
Shi Jin shut his mouth. Rationally, he knew Lian Jun was thinking for his sake, but emotionally, he couldn’t accept these arguments at all— he had already taken college courses and experienced college life once before; missing a few classes in this lifetime didn’t matter at all. But there was only one Lian Jun. He didn’t want to miss Lian Jun’s treatment process; he wanted to stay by Lian Jun’s side and support him through this difficult period.
“I will call you every day.” Lian Jun squeezed his hand and coaxed softly.
Shi Jin looked at his still somewhat pale face, his brows deeply furrowed. Not wanting to argue with him over this or make him unhappy, he finally compromised, gripping Lian Jun’s hand back and saying, “Then you must eat well, don’t always be busy with work, and you’re not allowed to secretly try any radical treatment methods behind my back. Take it slow— we have plenty of time, no need to rush right now.”
Lian Jun smiled and replied, “I know, I won’t. Also, I kept forgetting to say: although I was angry at you for acting recklessly, you really did a great job at this meeting. Thank you for winning me a period of stability. I am proud of you.”
“…Stop giving me candy-coated bullets.” Shi Jin muttered in a softened tone, then suddenly reached out his hand toward him and asked, “Where’s the ring? Give it to me.”
Lian Jun was puzzled: “What?”
“The ring I gave you! I haven’t seen you wear it since we came back.” Shi Jin deliberately put on a strict face and thrust his hand further in front of him, “Didn’t you say that once I came back, you wanted me to put the ring on you personally? So where is the ring? Don’t tell me you didn’t carry it with you.” By the last sentence, his tone held a threat, heavily implying that if Lian Jun hadn’t brought the ring, he would use it as an excuse to throw a scene.
The corners of Lian Jun’s lips curled up. He bowed his head and took out an elegant small satin pouch from the inner pocket of his robe. Unshackling it, he took out the ring, placed it in Shi Jin’s outstretched hand, and then offered his own hand.
“You really carried it with you…” Shi Jin felt a little regretful yet a little happy. Holding the ring, he took Lian Jun’s hand, glanced at him, and carefully put the ring onto Lian Jun’s ring finger. Then he kissed it and said, “You need to gain weight as soon as possible. With the ring wrapped around like this, you can’t even tell it forms a pair with mine. I’ll give you two months—no, I’ll give you one month to grow this plump.” Saying so, he gestured a round physique that Lian Jun had never reached since birth.
Lian Jun was amused by him, holding his hand back with their fingers intertwined. His other hand raised Shi Jin’s chin, and he turned his head to kiss him.
Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. Read on the original translator’s site to get the fastest updates!
The journey from the sanatorium to the school was truly too short. Shi Jin felt he had spoken less than ten sentences with Lian Jun before the car stopped at the school entrance.
It happened to be the peak time for returning to school after the major holiday, with many cars at the gate. Lian Jun’s relatively low-profile black car driving over didn’t look too eye-catching. Seeing this, Lian Jun simply instructed Gua One to drive directly to the school gate instead of parking on the curb further away as before.
“Call me once you’re settled in.” Lian Jun instructed, then released Shi Jin’s hand.
Shi Jin nodded, leaned in to kiss him once more, suppressed his reluctance, opened the door, and stepped out. Carrying his backpack and the gifts brought for Liu Yong and Luo Donghao, he said, “See you on Friday then.” With that, he closed the car door.
Lian Jun looked at him through the car window, wanting to roll down the glass to speak with him. Seeing this, Shi Jin hurriedly shook his head, signaling that there were too many people around, and took a step back to signal them to leave first. Lian Jun helplessly abandoned rolling down the window, carefully tracing Shi Jin’s face with his eyes, and instructed Gua One to drive.
The car slowly drove away. Shi Jin watched it depart until it was out of sight before withdrawing his gaze. He lowered his head, let out a soft breath, rubbed his face, and turned to walk toward the school gate.
“Is that Shi Jin?”
“Seems like it.”
“Why did he come to school again?”
“Who knows? Probably played enough outside.”
Whispering voices came from behind him at an angle. Shi Jin stopped in his tracks and turned to look toward the source of the sound.
The students being watched were startled and hurriedly shut their mouths, turning away to avoid Shi Jin’s gaze as they jostled each other into the school gate.
Shi Jin frowned slightly and glanced back at the other students coming and going at the gate, finding that at least half of them were subtly sizing him up. The melancholy of parting with Lian Jun turned into intense annoyance. After thinking for a moment, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and made a call.
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Upon receiving Shi Jin’s call, Liu Yong rushed out of the dormitory building at top speed to greet Shi Jin in the small garden not far away.
“Where’s Donghao?” Shi Jin asked upon seeing him.
“He hasn’t arrived yet; said he got caught in traffic.” Liu Yong explained, looking him up and down. He couldn’t help laughing, affectionately giving him a light punch: “A bit tanned; looks like the island sun was fierce. How about revealing where you went on a mission this time? You didn’t even show up for registration— what a busy man!”
Seeing him, Shi Jin’s mood improved considerably. He briefly explained the mission location and contents set in the report, then asked, “Is there a new version of the rumors about me on campus?”
“Uh…” Liu Yong froze, glanced at him, and asked awkwardly, “You noticed?”
“It’s hard not to notice; they’re practically saying it to my face.” Shi Jin felt helpless, gestured towards the dormitory building, and said, “Let’s talk while walking.”
Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. Read on the original translator’s site to get the fastest updates!
Through Liu Yong’s account, Shi Jin learned that rumors on campus had upgraded again. People were no longer discussing whether his family was rich, but whether he was actually going on missions or just using it as an excuse to skip class and play around. After all, he had a brother with a high military rank, so making arrangements to skip class was both conditional and possible.
“In the end, it’s just jealousy. The fact that you’re rich is set in stone, so when those people realized they couldn’t criticize you on that, they made up something else. Even though the counselor clearly stated you went on a mission, they still engage in conspiracy theories— they’re really too idle.” Liu Yong’s tone was full of dissatisfaction and contempt; clearly he had heard similar remarks often.
Shi Jin didn’t know how to respond after hearing this. In a sense, this time’s rumor wasn’t actually a rumor— he really hadn’t gone on an actual mission… However, being tormented by rumors every time he returned to school was truly annoying, and these matters had to be dealt with.
If you’re seeing this notice, you’re reading this chapter on pirate site – the original translator of Death Progress Bar is Betwixted Translations.
After the evening roll call ended, Shi Jin returned to the dorm. At the busiest time, he picked up his toiletries and headed to the public bathhouse. Instead of being conservative as before and removing his clothes only after arriving inside, he took off his top in the changing room just like everyone else.
It happened that his roommate also came over to shower, greeting him proactively upon seeing him.
Shi Jin returned the greeting and walked toward the shower stalls with his toiletries. On his firm, well-built body, the hideous scar on his shoulder stood out extraordinarily starkly.
The roommate froze for a moment and asked, “Shi Jin, what is this on your shoulder…”
“What? Ah, you mean this scar? It was left over from a previous mission.” Shi Jin answered simply, inwardly thinking this roommate was a great assist, but showing nothing on his face. He left immediately after speaking, looking in a hurry to shower.
Silence fell over the changing room. Watching Shi Jin’s departing back, no one spoke another word.
Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. Read on the original translator’s site to get the fastest updates!
After morning training the next day, Liu Yong and Luo Donghao pounced on Shi Jin with tacit understanding, tugging at his training uniform collar.
Caught completely off guard, Shi Jin was pounced on squarely and struggled hurriedly: “Hey, what are you doing? Let go, let go, my clothes are getting torn!”
Two fists were no match for four hands; in the end, Shi Jin’s collar was stripped open by Liu Yong.
“There really is a scar!” Liu Yong released his grip foolishly, “I thought this was just another rumor from somewhere.”
Luo Donghao, however, frowned and asked, “What is that round scar next to the long one? Could it be a gunshot wound?”
“Gunshot wound?!” Liu Yong’s voice suddenly rose an octave. He instinctively clutched his own shoulder, his expression contorted as if he himself had been shot.
Luo Donghao glanced around at the classmates whose attention was drawn by Liu Yong’s outcry, feeling for the first time that Liu Yong’s fussing personality was quite good, rarely refraining from telling him to quiet down.
“It is a gunshot wound; I accidentally got shot here once.” Shi Jin replied, adjusting his collar. Seeing Liu Yong looking in immense pain, he comforted him, “These are actually old injuries from before I entered college. When I have time later, I plan to get scar removal surgery to get rid of them, so my boyfriend doesn’t secretly feel depressed for a long time every time he sees these two scars.”
Liu Yong broke character in a second, unable to bear it any longer as he reached out to rub Shi Jin’s head wildly, saying through gritted teeth: “You guy! Scars are a man’s medals of honor, don’t you get it? Scar removal surgery? I think you just want to flex your boyfriend! You beat-worthy winner in life!”
Shi Jin laughed, blocked his hand, and raised his hand to mess up Liu Yong’s hair in return.
The two fooled around for a while until Luo Donghao stopped them, then the three walked toward the cafeteria together.
On the way, Luo Donghao glanced at Shi Jin’s shoulder, leaned in, and asked in a low voice: “Did you do that on purpose?”
Shi Jin turned his head to look at him, looking profound and mysterious: “Now at least no one will say I skipped class to play around anymore.”
Luo Donghao shook his head, couldn’t help smiling, and patted his shoulder.
If you’re seeing this notice, you’re reading this chapter on pirate site – the original translator of Death Progress Bar is Betwixted Translations.
Life seemed to settle down once again. Everyone attended classes, received treatments, or handled work. Days passed peacefully, creating an illusion that everything had finally settled.
If only everything could truly settle down.
In late June, just as Shi Jin was painfully preparing for final exams, a phone call from Lu Shan shattered the peaceful life.
{Everyone stay alert. Official inspections targeting major organizations have ended, and minor offending organizations have been fully wiped out. The most dangerous time has passed, and Meng Qing is getting restless again.}
Shi Jin, who was flipping through revision materials, paused at her words and raised his eyes toward the phone in Lian Jun’s hand.
Lian Jun asked: “What does he want to do?”
{I’m not sure of the specifics, but I found he’s still investigating the school Shi Jin attends. You know his personality— Shi Jin tricked him so badly last time, how could he be willing to let it go?} Lu Shan’s tone was heavy as she instructed, {In short, everyone be extra careful, especially Shi Jin. Don’t let Meng Qing find out which school he attends, and never leave Shi Jin alone. Meng Qing isn’t Zuo Yang— his methods are extremely ruthless.}
Lian Jun frowned, hung up the phone, and looked at Shi Jin.
Shi Jin hastily said, “I’ll be careful recently.” So don’t hold it against him for provoking Meng Qing.
“Just being careful is completely useless.” Lian Jun tapped his fingers on the desk, thought for a moment, and picked up his phone to dial Zhang Zhuoyuan’s number.
Not long after, a young man who was also named Shi Jin and who similarly acted high-profile, enrolled in a police academy in City C. Seeing this student file, Shi Jin was stunned and asked in confusion: “What is this?”
“A smoke screen,” Lian Jun answered, explaining, “If Meng Qing investigates your school through official channels or Xiang Aoting’s line, he will only end up finding this person and deliver himself right to our doorstep.”
Shi Jin flipped through the profile again, and seeing Lian Jun’s calm, confident, master-strategist demeanor, his heart grew fond. He couldn’t resist leaning over to hook his arm around Lian Jun’s neck and kissing his cheek.
Lian Jun raised his eyes to look at him.
“Is the rehabilitation starting soon?” Shi Jin asked suddenly.
Lian Jun’s eyes flickered; holding the back of Shi Jin’s head, he tilted his face up and kissed him.
By now, over a month had passed since Lian Jun survived the toxin’s active period. With his diet gradually returning to normal, Lian Jun’s health visibly improved.
His complexion was no longer pale, his sleep duration returned to normal, he gained a bit of weight, and he even tentatively set aside the wheelchair.
Uncle Long happily stated that continuing treatment at the current pace, Lian Jun would be completely free from the toxin’s torment in three months at most.
This was undoubtedly great news, and everyone secretly looked forward to the day when Lian Jun would fully recover. Lian Jun himself was also full of anticipation. In fact, ever since falling in love with Shi Jin, not a day went by where he didn’t long to walk side by side next to Shi Jin like a normal person.
And now, this wish was about to come true. After the toxin was no longer active, the leg pain that had troubled him for years gradually ceased to appear. This rehabilitation would be a true rehabilitation.
“Thank you.” Lian Jun murmured in satisfaction, hugging Shi Jin tightly.
Shi Jin smiled and mischievously bit him on purpose.
Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. Read on the original translator’s site to get the fastest updates!
The hellish review week finally ended as July arrived. After a week of exams, in early July, Shi Jin welcomed the first summer vacation of his college career. Right after the exams, he hurriedly bade farewell to Liu Yong and Luo Donghao— who wanted to invite him to play during the break— grabbed his meager luggage, rushed to the school entrance, located Lian Jun’s car, opened the door, and got in.
“Let’s go, off to rehab!” He shouted happily as soon as he got into the car, thoroughly excited.
Lian Jun, however, had a serious expression. Holding Shi Jin’s hand, he said, “Shi Jin, there’s something I haven’t told you.”
Shi Jin froze, looking at his expression and then at Gua One and Gua Two in the front seat, who also bore unpleasant expressions. Realizing that something bad must have happened, he slowly put down his backpack and asked, “What’s wrong? Is it a problem with the treatment? Or a problem with the rehab?” As he spoke, his eyebrows furrowed, and he nervously grabbed Lian Jun’s hand back, trying to check his legs.
“No, my treatment and rehab are fine.” Lian Jun quickly stopped him from bending down, saying, “The one in trouble is Fei Yujing. Three days ago, on his way to work, he was attacked by Meng Qing’s people. The vehicle he was riding in got into a car accident. He and his assistant were both injured and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Country M. Because you were taking exams earlier and their side also asked me to keep it from you, I didn’t tell you right away.”
Shi Jin’s mind went blank with a buzz. Scenes of sending Fei Yujing off the island last time flashed through his brain, along with Fei Yujing’s words that he was glad to be used by him. Tightening his grip abruptly, he asked, “How is he? Is his injury severe?”
“A bit. They said a broken rib poked into his lung. He is fine for now, but there is fluid in his lungs, so he needs further observation.” Lian Jun answered, soothingly patting his head, and asked, “Do you want to go see him?”
Shi Jin nodded without thinking, then stopped halfway and looked toward Lian Jun.
“Everything is fine on my end; the treatment and rehab are going smoothly, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t stay with me.” Lian Jun saw through his thoughts in an instant and asked after reassuring him, “Are you going to see Fei Yujing? If so, I’ll arrange a private jet for you as soon as possible.”
“I will.” Shi Jin’s eyebrows were tightly knitted, panic consuming his heart as he squeezed Lian Jun’s hand forcefully.
Lian Jun embraced him and patted his back, comforting him silently.
If you’re seeing this notice, you’re reading this chapter on pirate site – the original translator of Death Progress Bar is Betwixted Translations.
That very night, Shi Jin bade Lian Jun farewell and boarded a plane to Country M accompanied by Gua Two and Gua Five. Before leaving, he specifically phoned Li Jiuzheng to confirm his safety.
After boarding the plane, Shi Jin remained silent throughout, his mind filled entirely with Lian Jun’s words about the broken rib poking into the lung, completely unable to settle down.
Seeing this, Gua Two comforted him, “Don’t worry too much. Jun-shao has already sent trusted doctors over to Lawyer Fei, and the hospital where he stays has been strictly guarded— nothing bad will happen again. They also said the rib didn’t directly puncture into the lung, just touched it, so it shouldn’t be too severe.”
Shi Jin snapped back and shook his head, saying, “I’m worried about what happens if it leaves behind a complication— after all, that’s the lungs… It’s all my carelessness. Aunt Lu specifically called to remind us, yet I didn’t realize that since Meng Qing thought of moving against me, he certainly wouldn’t spare Fei Yujing and Li Jiuzheng, who acted close to me at the time. I should have warned Fei Yujing earlier or sent people to protect him.”
Gua Two said, “No one expected Meng Qing to be so vicious as to target an unrelated lawyer—”
“He isn’t an unrelated lawyer. During the meeting, I called Fei Yujing ‘Second Brother.’ Meng Qing and his people all know Fei Yujing is my brother. I shouldn’t have done that. At that time, I was only thinking about myself, completely forgetting what kind of danger saying that would bring to Fei Yujing.” Shi Jin refuted, growing increasingly self-reproachful. Meeting Gua Two’s disagreeing gaze, he paused, then pressed his forehead in frustration, let out a light sigh, and said, “Sorry, I lost my cool again, talking nonsense. What’s the use of saying all this now?”
“That’s not what I meant. You’re just panicked out of care right now; wild thoughts are normal.” Gua Two lightly patted his shoulder to comfort him, deliberately teasing, “Usually, you always act so resistant and repelled by those brothers of yours, looking like you hate them, but when something really happens to them, you get anxious like a little child. You guy couldn’t actually be a delicate baby who clings to his brothers, right?”
Shi Jin was taken aback. Avoiding his gaze, he turned to look out the window at the night sky and denied, “Definitely not… I’m not.”
But was he really not? He subconsciously spaced out, faces of several brothers from the Shi family flashing through his mind. He raised a hand to cover the lower half of his face and lowered his eyelids.
Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. Read on the original translator’s site to get the fastest updates!
The next morning, Shi Jin landed in Country M and took a special car to the hospital where Fei Yujing was located. In the hospital, he encountered an unexpected person.
“Third Brother?” Looking at Rong Zhouzhong sitting outside the ward with huge dark circles under his eyes, Shi Jin was filled with confusion, “Why are you here? Didn’t you go to Country Y for closed-set filming?” After returning to City B, he had contacted Rong Zhouzhong wanting to invite him to dinner, but unfortunately Rong Zhouzhong was filming abroad and couldn’t make it.
Rong Zhouzhong was also startled upon seeing him, then suddenly blew up in anger: “Why am I here? You have to ask that workaholic lying in the room! I was filming just fine when suddenly a strange phone call claiming to be from the hospital came in, saying my brother was about to die and telling me to come collect his corpse! What could I do? I had no choice but to drop my work and rush over! That sneaky Fei Yujing— he definitely knew where I was filming was close to here, so he deliberately tricked me into coming. And as if torturing me alone wasn’t enough, how did he drag you over too?! Xiao Jin, don’t fall for it— go back right now and leave him here alone to fend for himself!”
Shi Jin was stunned by his rapid-fire barrage of words. After digesting it for a while, he ultimately only clearly heard the phrase “collect his corpse.” Shocked, he quickly bypassed him, walked to the ward door, and pushed it open.
Inside the room, Fei Yujing was leaning against the hospital bed flipping through documents, his expression calm and normal— not looking like a patient at all. The color on his face was even slightly better than Rong Zhouzhong’s outside. Hearing the noise, he raised his eyes and looked over. Seeing Shi Jin standing at the door, he casually waved to him like usual and said, “You’re here. Don’t just stand there, take a seat. Third Brother, pour two cups of water over.”
Shi Jin: “…” Is this really someone who just got into a car accident?
Rong Zhouzhong poked his head in from outside with a swish and shouted angrily, “What water?! Someone like you only deserves to drink the northwest wind! Xiao Jin, let me take you to eat— let this patient die right here!”
If you’re seeing this notice, you’re reading this chapter on pirate site – the original translator of Death Progress Bar is Betwixted Translations.
Translator: GoldBerry
