{"id":10708,"date":"2020-02-10T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=10708"},"modified":"2025-09-08T18:28:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T22:28:14","slug":"death-progress-bar-74","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/death-progress-bar-74\/","title":{"rendered":"Death Progress Bar 74"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrevious<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProject Page<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNext<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Little Traitor<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

When Shi Jin returned to the car, Lian Jun was on the phone.<\/span><\/p>

He got in, closed the door, and waited for Lian Jun to end the call. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cUncle Long has arrived in B city,\u201d the man replied, putting down the phone. He took out a bottle of water, twisted off the cap, and handed it to Shi Jin. \u201cWhere do you want to eat? Do you want to go back to the club or eat outside?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cGo back.\u201d As he took a sip of water, Shi Jin suddenly remembered the careful way Shi Weichong tore the plastic packaging off of the bottle this morning, and paused. He glanced in the direction of the examination hall, found that he could not see the figure of his brother, and lowered the water bottle as if nothing had happened.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun followed his line of sight. \u201cWhat did you say to Shi Weichong?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s hand tightened on the bottle, his expression complicated. He let out a sigh. \u201cSomething very unpleasant\u2026 He shouldn\u2019t come to see me again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAre you regretting it?\u201d Lian Jun took his hand, squeezing it in comfort.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin shook his head. \u201cNo, I just\u2026 I don\u2019t like to do things like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He wasn\u2019t good at dealing with this kind of situation, and he didn\u2019t like to use his words to hurt people. However, he didn\u2019t really have a choice in this matter\u2014the attitude he needed to show and the actions he had to take were bound to and depended upon his identity as the original \u2018Shi Jin\u2019. To be honest, he was a little tired.<\/span><\/p>

Xiao Si picked up his thoughts and whispered, hesitant, < JinJin\u2026 ><\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin heard its call and quickly pulled himself together. He smiled at Lian Jun and said both to him and Xiao Si, \u201cIt\u2019s okay. My head\u2019s a bit messed up from the exam, just let me eat something delicious and I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun didn\u2019t say anything, only reached out to take him into his arms, stroking his back in a soothing manner.<\/span><\/p>

Not caring about Gua Two and Gua Five sitting in front seats, Shi Jin hugged Lian Jun\u2019s waist and snuggled into his shoulder, closing his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Maybe because he didn\u2019t sleep well last night, or perhaps because Lian Jun\u2019s arms were too comfortable, Shi Jin actually fell asleep in the car.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun didn\u2019t want to disturb him. He asked for the car to park at the entrance of the club and let the younger man sleep on his lap, going through documents while waiting for him to wake up. Fortunately, the back seat was spacious enough for Shi Jin to lie down in comfort, so he slept fairly well.<\/span><\/p>

At half past one, Lian Jun, afraid that Shi Jin wouldn\u2019t have enough time to eat before the afternoon exam, put down the file and called him with a gentle voice.<\/span><\/p>

It took a while for Shi Jin to completely wake up. He got out of the car and went back to the club to have lunch with Lian Jun. After walking around for a while to help digestion, he returned to the examination hall, still accompanied by Lian Jun.<\/span><\/p>

With how the morning exam went, Shi Jin was no longer nervous. On the way, he even made Lian Jun play mahjong with him; his mentality had adjusted pretty well.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two mocked Shi Jin, saying he was just like a pig\u2014he only needed to eat and sleep for all his worries to disappear.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin snorted in disdain and showed him his middle finger.<\/span><\/p>

Before the afternoon exam began, Shi Jin actively asked Xiao Si for buffs, then twirled his pen, filled with confidence.<\/span><\/p>

Two hours passed before he knew it; he stopped writing just as the bell rang and smiled with satisfaction. After gathering his things, he stepped out of the classroom and hurried towards the exit together with the other examinees.<\/span><\/p>

The first day of the college entrance examination was over. It passed relatively smoothly, Shi Weichong\u2019s episode notwithstanding.<\/span><\/p>

Uncle Long arrived at the club while Shi Jin was taking a nap in the car, and went straight to his room to sleep off the jet lag, so they didn\u2019t meet. He only found out that Shi Jin was taking part in this year\u2019s college entrance exam in the evening, when he woke up and came down to eat.<\/span><\/p>

Filled with intent, he looked for Shi Jin, and found him playing mahjong in Lian Jun\u2019s study. He scrutinized the teenager, who was sprawled on the sofa, with a frown, growing more displeased the longer he watched. Reluctant, he still pushed down his dissatisfaction in the end and asked, \u201cWhat major are you going to choose?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Somehow, Uncle Long\u2019s gaze made Shi Jin\u2019s hair stand on end. He replied, cautious, \u201cI haven\u2019t decided yet\u2026 Do you have any suggestions?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Uncle Long grit his teeth. \u201cHow about medicine? I can teach you,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was so scared he chose the wrong tiles in game. He quickly waved his hands, refusing: \u201cNo, no, absolutely not! Studying medicine would kill me.\u201d Getting a Bachelor\u2019s degree in medicine took five years\u2014he didn\u2019t even want to spend four years at university, let alone five! No way!<\/span><\/p>

Uncle Long\u2019s face darkened, and he glowered at Shi Jin. \u201cKill you? There\u2019s nothing better than learning medicine! Not to mention, you\u2019ll have me as a teacher\u2014what are you afraid of?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

That\u2019s the most scary part, you know?!<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin felt he had his back against the wall. He glanced at Lian Jun sitting behind his desk, then looked at the doctor and told the truth: \u201cUncle Long, actually\u2026 actually, my dream is to be a public servant!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Uncle Long, suspecting he had heard wrong, frowned and asked, \u201cWhat did you just say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun also put down the file and looked up.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin braced himself and continued doggedly, \u201cIn fact, if I can, I\u2019d like to go to a police academy\u2026 I\u2019ve always admired police officers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

A gangster wanted to become a policeman.<\/span><\/p>

Looking between Lian Jun and Shi Jin, Uncle Long opened his mouth, but he really didn\u2019t know what to say. All of a sudden, he looked at Lian Jun again and repeated something Mr. Feng once said: \u201cYou\u2019ve completely spoiled him!\u201d In a huff, he turned around and stomped out of the study.<\/span><\/p>

Bang<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

The study door slammed shut.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin flinched at the sound. He turned to look at Lian Jun and asked, a little aggrieved, \u201cIsn\u2019t being a police officer good? Not only is it serving the country, it\u2019s also an \u2018<\/span>iron rice bowl<\/b><\/a>\u2019 and I\u2019d never have to worry about being paid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you want me to study medicine, too?\u201d Shi Jin asked in horror.<\/span><\/p>

Helpless, Lian Jun put down the file and massaged the bridge of his nose. He looked at Shi Jin, easing his expression as he noticed the frightened look on Shi Jin\u2019s face. \u201cDo you really want to go to the police academy?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was aware that with his current identity, attending the police academy seemed to be quite a strange choice, so he hedged, \u201cI\u2019m not set on it\u2026 After all, I\u2019d have to attend seriously, not just appear for the end-of-term exams\u2014it\u2019s too inconvenient. I\u2019ll just go to a normal university and study something easy. Later, after everything is settled, I\u2019ll take a civil servant test or something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

You say you\u2019re not set on it, but the rest of your words say otherwise.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Lian Jun manoeuvred his wheelchair from behind the desk and stopped in front of the younger man. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to be the boss of a company? I can set up a company for you. Four years in college would be enough for you to learn everything you need to know about management. I\u2019ll also get you assistants, with their help, you won\u2019t get too tired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin hadn\u2019t expected that Lian Jun had already thought about his future. He was a little moved but still shook his head. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t need something like that, I just want to do some simple and stable\u2026 Do you think I\u2019m not ambitious enough?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo.\u201d Lian Jun shook his head as well, then stretched out his hand and gently pinched the teenager\u2019s face. \u201cThere are too many people in this world who become blinded by riches and forget their original intentions little by little. You\u2019re fine the way you are\u2014you have no greed, so you won\u2019t forget yourself in the foolish pursuit of benefits. Going to the police academy isn\u2019t impossible, it will just take a bit of arranging. You can pursue whatever you like\u2014I will support you no matter what.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin froze in shock. \u201cI really can go to the police academy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s look of pleasant surprise caused the corners of Lian Jun\u2019s lips to rise without conscious thought. \u201cOf course you can. Not only is Annihilation cooperating with the authorities, you haven\u2019t been one of us for long, and you have a clean background. Attending police school should be no problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

This really was a surprise! Shi Jin hadn\u2019t expected he\u2019d have the chance to return to his old profession in his second life!<\/span><\/p>

He stared at Lian Jun; his heart was bursting with all the things he wanted to say, but he didn\u2019t know how to express them. In the end, he simply threw himself forward and hugged Lian Jun, his lips finding his lovers\u2019.<\/span><\/p>

After a moment of shock at the sudden attack, Lian Jun returned the hug with contentment, bowing his head to deepen the kiss.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

If you’re seeing this notice, you’re reading this chapter on pirate site – the original translator of Death Progress Bar is Betwixted Translations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The next day, everyone knew that Shi Jin wanted to go to the police academy, and that Lian Jun had agreed.<\/span><\/p>

On the way to the examination hall, Gua Two\u2019s face looked like he was forced to eat shit. \u201cI really want to drive the car into the ditch\u2014it must be because of the college entrance exam, it must\u2019ve turned you into a fool. Really, I hadn\u2019t expected you to be a little traitor, Shi Jin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI know you\u2019re envious, but it\u2019s fine\u2014I\u2019m a magnanimous person, I\u2019ll overlook your shortcomings,\u201d was Shi Jin\u2019s gallant reply.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two wanted to cough blood. However, as he was driving and with Lian Jun present, he couldn\u2019t catch Shi Jin to \u201clovingly educate him,\u201d so he only muttered, <\/span>Little traitor,<\/span><\/em> again and continued to drive, smooth and steady.<\/span><\/p>

Now that he had a clear plan for the future, the last of Shi Jin\u2019s nervousness had disappeared without a trace. After the car stopped, he said goodbye to Lian Jun and headed towards the examination hall while bickering with Gua Two.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cXiao Jin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Another familiar voice came.<\/span><\/p>

The smile on Shi Jin\u2019s face stiffened. He stopped and turned to look at the owner of the voice.<\/span><\/p>

In front of a minimarket on the street stood Xiang Aoting, wearing a black T-shirt and camo combat trousers and holding a bottle of water. He smiled a little cautiously when Shi Jin looked over and stepped forward to hand the bottle of water to him. \u201cI heard you\u2019re taking the college entrance exam, so I came to cheer you on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked at the bottle with the plastic packaging and label meticulously torn off. He remembered <\/span>his last meeting with Xiang Aoting before leaving B city last time<\/b><\/a>, sighed in his heart, and reached out to take the water, thanking him politely. \u201cAre you on leave?\u201d he took the initiative to ask.<\/span><\/p>

People in the military were always busy, and it wasn\u2019t as if they could just take time off whenever they wanted. Xiang Aoting shouldn\u2019t be able to just run over here as soon as he heard what was happening.<\/span><\/p>

His youngest brother accepted the water and was willing to talk to him<\/span>\u2014Xiang Aoting\u2019s expression relaxed a little. <\/span>\u201cYes, I took a short leave. Second Brother said you were hurt a while ago, are you alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin really wanted to ask Fei Yujing just how many people he had told about his injury.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, it was nothing serious,\u201d he replied succinctly. He didn\u2019t know what more to say.<\/span><\/p>

Both of the brothers fell silent.<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting hesitated for a moment, then began, \u201cYou and your boss\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cFourth Brother,\u201d Shi Jin interrupted him. He said, gesturing towards the hall\u2019s entrance, \u201cThe exam is about to start, I have to go in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The man closed his mouth. He shot a glance at the examination hall and encouraged him somewhat clumsily, \u201cDon\u2019t be nervous, just do your best.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

At last, it wasn\u2019t <\/span>\u2018it\u2019s fine even if you don\u2019t do well.\u2019<\/span><\/em> Relieved, Shi Jin smiled at Xiang Aoting as he bid him goodbye, then continued to the examination hall.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two followed. \u201cYour brother lied to you,\u201d he said, looking back at Xiang Aoting. \u201cHe\u2019s wearing training clothes and his shoes and the legs of his pants are stained with mud. It\u2019s obvious he was training before he came\u2014he can\u2019t be on leave.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin didn\u2019t reply.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u201cI saw a military jeep in the alley over there with an H Province license plate, and isn\u2019t that where your fourth brother is stationed? I guess he heard you were taking the exam and drove here over the night. What do you think?\u201d Gua Two asked in a deliberately light tone, as if he was talking about the weather.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin gave him a sideways glance, his face expressionless. \u201cWhen I become a policeman, the first person I\u2019m going to arrest is you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two raised his hands in surrender and stepped back pretending to be scared, miming zipping up his mouth.<\/span><\/p>

Approaching the entrance, Shi Jin couldn\u2019t help but look back at the place where Xiang Aoting stood. He hadn\u2019t expected that his brother would still be there, watching him.<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting didn\u2019t seem to expect that Shi Jin would turn back and look at him either. For a moment, he was stunned, then he raised his hand and pumped his fist, cheering him on.<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s grip tightened around the water bottle, which still held a trace of Xiang Aoting\u2019s body heat, nodded to his brother, and turned back to enter the examination hall.<\/span><\/p>

Soon, the door closed. After thinking for a moment, Gua Two walked back to Xiang Aoting.<\/span><\/p>

Noticing him, the man\u2019s expression turned inscrutable, but he watched him approach without saying anything.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDo you smoke?\u201d Gua Two stopped beside him and pulled out a cigarette case.<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting shook his head. \u201cNo, thank you,\u201d he refused politely.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two didn\u2019t insist and put the case back. Facing the examination hall, he put his hands into the pockets of his trousers and asked, \u201cI\u2019ve heard you want to transfer to another service branch\u2014is it for Shi Jin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting eyed him, frowning, but remembered who Lian Jun was; it was no surprise that one of his closest subordinates would know this information. \u201cNot at all, I\u2026 The physical training in my old unit was lacking, it\u2019s just that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

You\u2019re transferring from the air force to the army because you want to exercise more? Tell me another one, mate.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Gua Two didn\u2019t expose<\/span> him though, only gave him a lazy wave of his hand as a farewell and turned, ready to leave.<\/span><\/p>

But Xiang Aoting called out to him, then asked, hesitant, \u201cHas Shi Jin said which university he wants to go to? Is it in B city?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two stopped and looked back at him\u2014it was written all over Xiang Aoting\u2019s face that he was concerned about Shi Jin\u2019s future as well as worried about him. Out of the blue, an inexplicable thought flashed through his mind. \u201cYou should ask Shi Jin about that yourself,\u201d he replied. \u201cI have no right to breach his privacy.\u201d With that, he turned and left, pondering something.<\/span><\/p>

Judging from Shi Jin\u2019s attitude just now, it was clear that he didn\u2019t hate his fourth brother, and the man\u2019s profession was a soldier. Gua Two didn\u2019t know why, but he couldn\u2019t help but feel that Xiang Aoting was the reason Shi Jin wanted to go to the police academy.<\/span><\/p>

But it shouldn\u2019t be? Shi Jin and his fourth brother aren\u2019t that close, are they?<\/span><\/em> Gua Two shook his head, throwing the conjecture out of his mind.<\/span><\/p>

By the time Shi Jin finished his exam and exited the building, Xiang Aoting was no longer there.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two saw him glancing towards the minimarket and took the initiative to explain, \u201cXiang Aoting left soon after you entered the examination hall, looking as if he was in a rush. If you want to talk to him, you can call him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin retracted his gaze and shook his head.<\/span><\/p>

After lunch, Shi Jin, accompanied by Lian Jun, returned to the examination hall again, preparing to take the final exam of the college entrance examination.<\/span><\/p>

The whole way, he kept feeling a little anxious, afraid that another brother would pop out like a jack in the box. After all, none of the remaining three brothers, Fei Yujing, Rong Zhouzhong, and Li Jiuzheng, were friendly to him; if one of them really did appear, he probably wouldn\u2019t be able to get rid of them that easily.<\/span><\/p>

Amid this faint worry, they arrived at the examination venue.<\/span><\/p>

Before getting off, Shi Jin cautiously scanned the vicinity. Only after making sure that there was no one nearby who could be his brother, did he push the door open and head to examination hall, Gua Two in tow.<\/span><\/p>

When he was about to pass through the entrance, the mobile phone in his pocket rang.<\/span><\/p>

Frowning, he took it out\u2014two big words, <\/span>\u2018Rong Zhouzhong,\u2019<\/span><\/em> flashed on the screen.<\/span><\/p>

\u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d <\/span>I just knew it.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Gua Two also heard the ringtone and came over to see. At the name of the caller, his eyebrows climbed up. \u201cYour brothers are quite concerned about you,\u201d he commented.<\/span><\/p>

Yes, very concerned indeed.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin rolled his eyes and hung up without taking the call.<\/span><\/p>

Without missing a beat, the phone rang again.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin continued to hang up, and then muted the phone.<\/span><\/p>

Probably having figured out Shi Jin was determined not to answer, Rong Zhouzhong sent a text message instead. Its contents were straightforward and impactful: <\/span>[Little bastard, you and Big Brother were photographed. Take care of it. In the future, don\u2019t play brothers in such a crowded place, it\u2019s troublesome.]<\/span><\/em><\/p>

The phone pinged a few times\u2014there came several messages with photos, all of them of Shi Weichong tearing off the label off the water bottle and handing it to Shi Jin. If one ignored their facial expressions, they really did look like loving brothers.<\/span><\/p>

Seeing them, Gua Two said, \u201cI told you Shi Weichong was trouble, didn\u2019t I? See, you really had your pictures taken.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He closed the photos, sent a thank-you message to Rong Zhouzhong, then sent the pictures to Shi Weichong.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHuh?\u201d Gua Two raised his eyebrows, puzzled.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s his fault, he should deal with it.\u201d After sending the last message, Shi Jin turned off the phone and gave it to Gua Two, saying, \u201cI\u2019m going inside, please help me tell Jun-shao about the photos.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Being sensible for once, Gua Two stopped talking at Shi Jin\u2019s dull reaction, only making an \u2018OK\u2019 gesture. After watching him enter the examination hall, he glanced at the phone in his hand and went back to the car.<\/span><\/p>

The last exam also passed smoothly. Shi Jin walked outside and headed for Gua Two. Accepting the phone the man returned to him and turning it on, he asked, \u201cDid you tell Jun-shao?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, I did. I have to say, your third brother really has wide connections in the media. We didn\u2019t even have to do anything\u2014before we could, he\u2019d already made the photos disappear. Congratulations, it\u2019s a success. You avoided the trouble making the headlines with your big brother would have brought you,\u201d Gua Two replied, his tone very relaxed. Apparently, dealing with the sneak shots had been a breeze.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin nodded to show he understood and checked the unread message that popped up. The sender was Shi Weichong, and the content was brief, only one sentence: <\/span>[I will take care of it, do your best on the exam.]<\/span><\/em><\/p>

He poked at the screen and thought for a moment, then sent another thank-you message to Rong Zhouzhong and Shi Weichong. Putting the phone in his pants pocket, he hurried to where Lian Jun was waiting.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

To celebrate Shi Jin successfully finishing the college entrance examination, everyone held a small party for him when he returned.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was very happy\u2014he promptly dumped his exam bag and partook with full enthusiasm.<\/span><\/p>

After 9 o\u2019clock, as Shi Jin pushed Lian Jun back to their room wondering if they could maybe be a little intimate that night, his progress bar went up without any warning, from 500 to 520.<\/span><\/p>

Xiao Si was puzzled. < It\u2019s strange. You haven\u2019t done anything lately, JinJin, why would the progress bar rise all of a sudden? ><\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin instantly lost all interest in bedroom activities. After wiping his face, he sent Lian Jun to the bathroom to wash and sat on the sofa to look at the progress bar in his head. He recalled everything that happened in the past two days and all the people he could\u2019ve possibly offended. Then, a sudden thought hit him, and the expression on his face became somewhat hard to describe. He took out his mobile phone and sent a text message to Shi Weichong, asking: <\/span>[Did your mother see the pictures of you talking to me in front of the examination hall?]<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Weichong\u2019s reply was still very fast and brief: <\/span>[Yes, don\u2019t worry, I will deal with it.]<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Distressed, Shi Jin heaved a sigh. It turned out his guess was correct.<\/span><\/p>

The progress would never rise for no reason. In the afternoon, he was warned of the secretly taken photos, and in the evening, his bar jumped up\u2014it was unlikely there was no relationship between those two things.<\/span><\/p>

Not long ago, Xu Jie showed hostility towards him because Shi Weichong wanted to give him shares. Wouldn\u2019t she be mad after seeing photos of Shi Weichong accompanying him during the exam?<\/span><\/p>

What\u2019s more, he was almost certain that the 50-point rise in the progress bar from when he returned to B city was also related to Xu Jie\u2014the only person in B city he\u2019d offended recently, even if only passively, was Shi Weichong\u2019s mother.<\/span><\/p>

Thinking of this, a suspicion appeared in his mind. \u201cXiao Si, would you say that the person behind the car accident which ultimately led to the original \u2018Shi Jin\u2019s\u2019 death was Xu Jie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Surprised, Xiao Si stammered out, < N-no, she shouldn\u2019t be, there\u2019s no mention of Xu Jie in the plot. ><\/span><\/p>

\u201cBut the novel was written from the original \u2018Shi Jin\u2019s\u2019 perspective. Since young, \u2018he\u2019 was all but raised in a golden cage by Shi Xingrui and didn\u2019t have much chance to contact Xu Jie; it\u2019s no surprise \u2018he\u2019 wouldn\u2019t know her. However, even if they didn\u2019t have any contact, it doesn\u2019t mean Xu Jie wouldn\u2019t hurt \u2018him\u2019 because of conflicting interests.\u201d At the start, Shi Jin had only mentioned his guess on a whim, but now that he thought about it further, it actually sounded reasonable. Turning serious, he continued, \u201cDo you remember the timing of the car accident in the novel? It happened after \u2018Shi Jin\u2019 contacted Shi Xingrui\u2019s old subordinates trying to make trouble for Shi Weichong and shake his status in the company. Xu Jie is Shi Weichong\u2019s mother\u2014that would be sufficient motive for her to act.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

After Shi Jin\u2019s explanation, Xiao Si also thought this conjecture made sense. < JinJin, if Xu Jie really was behind the car accident, she must be a major lethal factor. How are you going to deal with her? ><\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s expression froze. He thought of Shi Weichong and was struck dumb.<\/span><\/p>

If Xu Jie did turn out to be a lethal factor, then he really didn\u2019t know how to deal with her.<\/span><\/p>

Win her over? Impossible. Xu Jie would never be won over by him and he could never just make peace and forgive her\u2014it would be too unfair to the original \u2018Shi Jin\u2019 and his mother. So, use drastic means? But that meant antagonizing Shi Weichong. And if he and Shi Weichong went up against each other, wouldn\u2019t his progress bar<\/span>\u2014<\/span>which he had finally managed to lower to 500 with his blood, sweat, and tears<\/span>\u2014<\/span>return to the dangerously high value it had in the beginning?<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Translator: Eques<\/em>
Editor: Con
<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Eques:<\/strong><\/h3>

Since I can’t remember if I ever thanked all of you, I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who ever supported me on Ko-fi (*insert sliding dogeza here*): sleepymango123, MsLori, lantisl, K. Samel, Olga, Camellia, Aza, and several Anonymous people. Love you guys~\ud83d\udc95<\/p>

———<\/p>

If you like to read in chunks, you should stop now and return after chapter 77.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrevious<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProject Page<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNext<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[66,35,67,39,69,37],"class_list":["post-10708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dpb","tag-betrayal","tag-bl","tag-comedy","tag-modern","tag-system","tag-transmigration"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10708"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11652,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10708\/revisions\/11652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}