{"id":10922,"date":"2020-02-24T12:01:36","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T17:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=10922"},"modified":"2025-09-08T18:31:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T22:31:05","slug":"death-progress-bar-77","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/death-progress-bar-77\/","title":{"rendered":"Death Progress Bar 77"},"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

Madman<\/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

Shi Jin put down the notebook and the photos. After a moment of thought, he asked, \u201cDean Jian, did my father and your son get in contact after that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The pride visible on Jian Chenghua\u2019s face faded. His answer surprised Shi Jin. \u201cThey did. At the end of the second year after Jinwen and I came to B city, my old colleague from the municipal newspaper called me out of the blue. He said that they had received a letter from Shi Xingrui, but that it wasn\u2019t a submission, and instead a personal letter for me\u2026 I was actually a little angry\u2014I knew that the letter was probably written to Jinwen. I didn\u2019t want Shi Xingrui to contact Jinwen again, but Jinwen had never stopped thinking about him, always worried that something had happened to him. I hesitated for a month, but in the end, I still asked my colleague for the letter and passed it to Jinwen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin frowned.<\/span><\/p>

The end of the second year after Jian Jinwen had gone to B city? Wasn\u2019t Shi Xingrui in his final year of high school then? He recalled that it was around then when Shi Xingrui\u2019s father\u2019s health had deteriorated without warning.<\/span><\/p>

His mood became complicated and he wasn\u2019t sure what to say. It was obvious that Shi Xingrui was having a bad time but again had no place to vent his emotions, so he remembered Jian Jinwen, the gentle \u201csewage treatment plant\u201d. At that time, Jian Jinwen had just undergone major surgery, it also hadn\u2019t been long since he stopped hormone therapy. It was the most painful period in his life, yet before he could get through it, Shi Xingrui emotionally harassed him on top of everything else.<\/span><\/p>

From an outsider\u2019s point of view, Shi Jin really felt that Jian Jinwen must have been cursed with the worst kind of luck to have met Shi Xingrui.<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua\u2019s expression grew clouded. Sighing, he said, \u201cIn the letter, Shi Xingrui explained that he missed the appointment and disappeared for so long because his father fell seriously ill, and that the whole year he\u2019d been trying to get him treated. Now his father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and could only live for another six months at most\u2026 Cancer, cancer again. Jinwen\u2019s heart was soft\u2014it was obvious he\u2019d already been suffering enough at the time, but he still felt the need to comfort Shi Xingrui in turn\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The old man paused and wiped his tears, clearly distressed for the Jian Jinwen of the past. He continued, \u201cBut what could I do? Jinwen was pitiful, but Shi Xingrui\u2019s situation wasn\u2019t good either. He\u2019d lost his mother in middle school and now, before finishing high school, he was about to lose his father too. He was pitiful as well\u2026 By then, the internet had become popular. In the letter, Shi Xingrui gave Jinwen his instant messaging app<\/strong><\/a> ID, saying that if Jinwen forgave him, he should send him a message, that he\u2019d always wait for Jinwen. When Jinwen saw it, he registered an account straight away\u2026 Since then, I no longer knew how often they contacted each other or what they talked about. Jinwen never brought their talks up by himself, and every time I asked, he said he had a good time chatting with Shi Xingrui, so I couldn\u2019t inquire further.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was dumbstruck again.<\/span><\/p>

Instant messengers and chat software\u2014how could he forget those things existed!<\/span><\/p>

So it wasn\u2019t that Shi Xingrui cut off all contact with Jian Jinwen, but that he switched to contacting him through the internet? No wonder the investigators couldn\u2019t find anything\u2014after all, many of the early chat software and messaging apps had long been shut down!<\/span><\/p>

Oh my God. Shi Xingrui had always been in touch with Jian Jinwen. This, this<\/span><\/em>\u2026<\/em> Shi Jin found he didn\u2019t know what to say all of a sudden; he really hadn\u2019t expected it at all.<\/span><\/p>

Appearing unaware of the way his voice sank, the old man continued, \u201cBut Jinwen was my son\u2014how could I miss the changes? Ever since he got back in touch with Shi Xingrui, he sighed more and more, and began to read books on psychology to research ways to relieve the pre-exam stress and psychological pressure of third-year students. I was uneasy; it might\u2019ve been nosy of me, but I managed to get a look at their chat records\u2014and I\u2019m very glad I did because they were horrifying. In their conversations, Shi Xingrui came across like a madman, a schizophrenic patient: his messages would be polite and considerate, then they would turn full of hostility without any warning. He blamed fate, blamed society, and even blamed Jinwen. My heart ached\u2014what sin did my poor son commit to deserve being abused so? The doctors said he had a few more years left to live at most\u2014why did Shi Xingrui have to torment him like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

It was getting harder and harder to keep listening. Shi Jin guessed that Shi Xingrui had acted like that because the contradictory feelings he held for Jian Jinwen were warring in his heart; he was reluctant to give up Jian Jinwen\u2019s concern and gentleness, but couldn\u2019t accept Jian Jinwen\u2019s appearance, or even gender. On top of that, it was then that Shi Xingrui\u2019s father fell ill, so his feelings gradually turned twisted and his emotions became unstable.<\/span><\/p>

But just like Jian Chenghua said, Jian Jinwen was completely innocent. He didn\u2019t commit any sins, he didn\u2019t do anything wrong\u2014his only fault was being too kind.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin sighed in his heart. He wanted to comfort the old man, who was suffering from reliving his memories, but didn\u2019t know how. After a moment of consideration, he got up, poured a cup of warm water, and put it in his hand.<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua\u2019s agitated mood calmed down soon after. His eyes had been blank as he stared into the distance, but they refocused to look at Shi Jin\u2019s face. After a while, he said, \u201cYou really resemble Jinwen, not only your appearance, but also the expression in your eyes\u2026 You\u2019re too soft-hearted, too soft-hearted\u2026\u201d<\/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

He muttered to himself for a while before returning to his senses. Wiping his face, he offered Shi Jin a sheepish smile. Once he drank some water, he continued, \u201cAfter seeing those chat records, I hardened my heart for the first time and demanded Jinwen break off contact with Shi Xingrui, but for the first time, Jinwen was stubborn and refused to listen to me. In the end, we had a heart-to-heart talk and agreed that Jinwen would only help Shi Xingrui until Shi Xingrui passed the college entrance examination, and would stop contacting him after that.<\/span>
<\/span>\u201cBut that wasn\u2019t what happened. Half a year later, Shi Xingrui had indeed passed the college entrance exam, achieving very good results. Jinwen was going to abide by our agreement and cut off contact with Shi Xingrui, but something happened\u2014just after the exam, Shi Xingrui\u2019s father passed away\u2026 Shi Xingrui began to send messages to Jinwen as if he were crazy, always during the night. Jinwen was afraid he\u2019d take things too hard and perhaps do something stupid, so he kept patiently accompanying him, but with Jinwen\u2019s physical condition, how could his body endure it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua\u2019s hand tightened unconsciously, and his face went tense. \u201cI lost my temper with Jinwen, forcefully broke his contact with Shi Xingrui by confiscating his computer and mobile phone, and sent Shi Xingrui a strongly-worded message from Jinwen\u2019s account. I really hadn\u2019t been able to restrain myself\u2014Jinwen didn\u2019t have much time left, I didn\u2019t want him to be exposed to so many negative emotions at the end of his life. I scolded Shi Xingrui, scolded a boy who had just lost his father, then begged him to let Jinwen go. I said that if things continued like they were, Jinwen\u2019s life might fade away at any time. I just couldn\u2019t bear it, that child was all I had.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s chest was stuffy, his heart filled with a deep sense of helplessness, like he could feel the pain both sides had suffered at that time. It was no wonder that Shi Xingrui seemed to be completely unaffected by the death of his parents, at least on the surface\u2014it turned out that he\u2019d dumped all the negative emotions on Jian Jinwen. During the day, he was an outstanding, tough young man, and at night, he turned into a devil who desperately vented his negativity onto others.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cShi Xingrui agreed to my request,\u201d Jian Chenghua said, his voice calming down again. \u201cHe agreed, apologized to me, then deleted his account; I helped Jinwen delete his account too. Jinwen was sad, but he was finally able to recuperate properly\u2026 Actually, I regretted it later on. They were still children back then, it was normal for them not to know how to deal with their problems in the right way, but I was an adult\u2014I was supposed to know better. I shouldn\u2019t have done that to them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDean Jian\u2026\u201d Shi Jin whispered.<\/span><\/p>

The old man shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing, this is all in the past. Later, I kept an eye on Shi Xingrui\u2019s development and found that he was admitted to a university in B city. Life didn\u2019t go bad for him. I told Jinwen about this. He seemed to be relieved, and never mentioned Shi Xingrui to me again, but I knew that he hadn\u2019t stopped being concerned for him, it was just that he didn\u2019t want me to worry. Actually\u2026 I suspect Shi Xingrui came to the hospital to see Jinwen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin blinked, surprised, and hurried to ask, \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAs I said, it\u2019s only my suspicion. It was during the first semester of Shi Xingrui\u2019s sophomore year at university. I had time off work and came to the hospital early. It was a beautiful day, so Jinwen and several other patients were enjoying the good weather in the small park in front of the hospital. On a bench in the corner, I saw a person resembling Shi Xingrui; Jinwen couldn\u2019t see him from where he sat, but he had quite a clear view of Jinwen. But I could\u2019ve been wrong\u2014I only gave it a casual glance, and when I looked again, the bench was empty. When I asked Jinwen, he said he didn\u2019t remember anyone sitting there. At that time, I hadn\u2019t met Shi Xingrui, I only knew how he looked as an adult because I\u2019d seen a photo of him on the news, so it\u2019s possible I was mistaken.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua spoke about this with a frown, but he quickly relaxed his expression and continued, \u201cEven if it really was him, it doesn\u2019t matter. Anyway, about a month after that, Jinwen received a grant for medical treatment overseas and was admitted to a better hospital, a private one, which only allowed patients and their families on the premises. The management was indeed very strict\u2014even if Shi Xingrui wanted to see Jinwen, he wouldn\u2019t have been able to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Wait, there\u2019s something suspicious about that timing.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin calculated the dates\u2014Jian Jinwen was transferred to this new hospital shortly before Shi Xingrui founded the Ruixing Corporation. Just prior to that, Shi Xingrui had gone on a trip abroad to meet with potential investors.<\/span><\/p>

Coincidence? Or something more?<\/span><\/p>

He couldn\u2019t help but speculate. \u201cMedical treatment grant?\u201d he wondered. \u201cHad you applied for one?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua shook his head. \u201cNo. It was because Jinwen met a good person. Jinwen used to help orphans and children from impoverished families. It so happened one of them became successful and moved abroad. That person heard that a certain foreign non-profit organization was setting up a large patient assistance fund. He knew Jinwen was sick, so, out of concern, he applied for it in Jinwen\u2019s name. Surprisingly, Jinwen really was chosen. The organization was very thorough\u2014they also sent a representative to arrange Jinwen\u2019s hospital transfer and take care of everything that might come up, so the patient wouldn\u2019t have to worry about anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The more Shi Jin heard, the more suspicious he was. However, since Jian Chenghua looked moved and grateful for meeting such a great benefactor, it was impossible to question him straight out. For the lack of better options, he exclaimed, \u201cYes, that organization seems really conscientious, even going so far as to send someone to help arrange everything for the patient.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cRight? And that person was actually Chinese, a talented student who had been admitted to a foreign university. After taking charge of Jinwen\u2019s grant, he always tried his best to help Jinwen, and they soon became friends.\u201d There was a hint of warmth in Jian Chenghua\u2019s eyes; he must have really appreciated the man.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin ventured, \u201cWould it be possible for you to tell me the names of this non-profit organization and their representative\u2026\u201d<\/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\t\t

The old man had no intention of hiding anything. He replied, \u201cThe organization doesn\u2019t exist anymore, at least not in the same form. I only remember that at the time, it was called \u2018Hope\u2019 in Y country\u2019s language. The representative\u2019s name was Xu Chuan. He was a really nice boy. Unfortunately, I haven\u2019t seen him since Jinwen died, and I don\u2019t know how he\u2019s doing now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xu Chuan?! Shi Xingrui\u2019s close confidant, that lawyer Xu Chuan?! Damn, I knew this whole thing couldn\u2019t have been a coincidence!<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin was so shocked that he had to hurry and bow his head under the pretext of drinking water, so that his expression wouldn\u2019t betray him. After taking a few sips and making sure he looked normal again, he looked up. \u201cDean Jian, had my father contacted your son since then?\u201d he asked with some difficulty.<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t think so, but I can\u2019t be sure. After entering the new hospital, I returned Jinwen\u2019s computer and phone to him. I know that he was often in contact with Xu Chuan at least; I regretted interfering in Jinwen\u2019s matters last time so I didn\u2019t ask. But at Jinwen\u2019s funeral, I met Shi Xingrui in person for the first time. He was already a big boss, wearing an expensive suit, dignified and mature-looking. Honestly, if he didn\u2019t take the initiative to talk to me, I wouldn\u2019t have recognized him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cWhat did you talk about?\u201d he rushed to ask.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe apologized to me, saying that he was too foolish and naive when he was younger.\u201d Jian Chenghua heaved a sigh. \u201cI knew it would happen, but Jinwen\u2019s death was still a shock to me; I was muddleheaded at the time and didn\u2019t really talk to him much. He didn\u2019t look very good, his face was haggard, and his eyes were a little scary. During our whole conversation, his gaze was fixed on Jinwen\u2019s tombstone. In the beginning, he still sounded normal, but later his speech became chaotic\u2014he said that he tried really hard and that he was ready to accept it, but that it was too late already, then he wondered how Jinwen could suddenly die and blamed Jinwen for not waiting for him. He sounded crazy. As I listened to him, I kept recalling that period when Jinwen was in the most pain, and I couldn\u2019t stop myself from shouting at him\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He paused. Shi Jin, intuition telling him that this was probably the point at which Shi Xingrui really began to fall into madness, prompted, \u201cWhat did you say to him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The old man glanced at him, some guilt visible in his gaze. \u201cI said, \u2018If it wasn\u2019t for you and your craziness, Jinwen definitely could\u2019ve lived a few years longer\u2019… His face turned ugly after he heard that, and a terrifying expression appeared in his eyes. It made me nervous, so I left. I shouldn\u2019t have said something like that, it wasn\u2019t right of me\u2014for that, I owe your father an apology.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin fell silent for a long time before finally letting out a sigh.<\/span><\/p>

He more or less understood why Shi Xingrui was so crazy in his later years. Despite the initial gender shock and appearance shock, Shi Xingrui couldn\u2019t resist contacting Jian Jinwen again because of another family tragedy. The longer they were in contact, the deeper he fell, the less he was able to disentangle himself from his feelings. Then, on top of Jian Chenghua severing their connection, Shi Xingrui learned that Jian Jinwen\u2019s condition was worsening again, because of him.<\/span><\/p>

And so, his feelings were left suspended in the air; he could neither vent them nor deal with them by himself. He wasn\u2019t willing to just cut off his connection with Jian Jinwen, but at the same time, he was afraid that his uncontrollable feelings and emotions would really kill Jian Jinwen. As if that wasn\u2019t enough, he was still struggling with his sexual orientation. Under the triple pressure, he ended up forcing himself into a dead end.<\/span><\/p>

Over the years, Shi Xingrui must have gone through a difficult battle in his heart. Perhaps he\u2019d finally defeated his insecurities and decided to follow his heart and approach Jian Jinwen to figure out his own feelings\u2014but then, Jian Jinwen suddenly died.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Xingrui had no way of meeting Jian Jinwen anymore, nor could he unburden himself by expressing his feelings. Everything came to an abrupt end, like a song stopped by the snapping of a string. For a long time, Shi Xingrui rehearsed a torturous romance drama by himself, but when he finally decided to step onto the stage, the man he\u2019d been secretly chasing after left, abandoning the play. Shi Xingrui was trapped yet again.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe really was mad,\u201d Shi Jin said, raising his hand to touch his face. \u201cHe went mad and never woke up again. Dean Jian, actually, I have five older half-brothers; all of their mothers more or less resemble your son. Even my mother, she\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He paused with his mouth open, having remembered something as he talked. A shocking speculation appeared in his mind.<\/span><\/p>

Jian Jinwen was an abandoned child who was adopted by Jian Chenghua. The original \u2018Shi Jin\u2019s\u2019 mother, Yun Jin, also grew up in the orphanage. Not only were their appearances astonishingly similar, but both of them had the same character <\/span>\u2018Jin\u2019<\/span><\/em> in their names. It could be a coincidence, but it was unlikely there would be so many coincidences in this world!<\/span><\/p>

He looked at Jian Chenghua. Watching him with a very complicated expression, the old man said, \u201cI didn\u2019t expect that Shi Xingrui felt that way about Jinwen, and to the point of madness, too. You poor child\u2026 Alas, their relationship was indeed ill-fated, to even affect the next generation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin lowered his head and drank a mouthful of water to stabilize his emotions. He coughed to loosen his tight throat, then asked, \u201cCan you please tell me if it was you who gave your son his name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

This question baffled Jian Chenghua, but he still replied. \u201cYes, it was me. When he was still in the orphanage, he only had a nickname one of the staff members gave him, DiuDiu. I thought the name sounded unpleasant, so I changed it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

[T\/N: DiuDiu – \u4e22\u4e22. The character \u4e22 means <\/span>to discard<\/span> (among other things), so the staff basically called Jinwen \u201clittle foundling\u201d. (<\/span>Wiktionary<\/b><\/a>)]<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin took a cold breath.<\/span><\/p>

If Jian Jinwen\u2019s name was given to him by Jian Chenghua, then the origin of Yun Jin\u2019s name seemed even more suspicious!<\/span><\/p>

Was Yun Jin not someone who Shi Xingrui came across by accident, but a perfect substitute he\u2019d discovered a long time earlier? Then, after changing her name, he secretly moved her into an orphanage under his control and waited for her to grow up?<\/span><\/p>

It was sickening!<\/span><\/p>

Noticing that Shi Jin\u2019s expression didn\u2019t look right, Jian Chenghua frowned. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin didn\u2019t know how to explain, so he just took out his phone and opened a picture of \u2018Shi Jin\u2019s\u2019 mother to show to the old man. \u201cThis is my mother. She was an orphan and her name was Yun Jin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Bewildered, Jian Chenghua looked down. Seeing Yun Jin\u2019s face, his eyes snapped wide open and he grabbed the phone. \u201cThis, this is your mother?\u201d he stammered out, shocked. \u201cWhat did you say her name was?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYun Jin, her name was Yun Jin.\u201d Shi Jin withdrew his hand and asked bluntly, \u201cDean Jian, what was the name of the orphanage you adopted Mr. Jian from? I\u2019d like to find out who his biological parents are. I suspect\u2026 I suspect there was some kind of a blood relationship between Mr. Jian and my mother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua was stunned for a while. Once he digested the teenager\u2019s words, he hurried to stand, found a set of old but well-preserved papers, and carefully handed them to Shi Jin. \u201cThis is Jinwen\u2019s adoption certificate and forms\u2026 you, you\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin took them and said, \u201cI\u2019ll make a copy of them and return them to you. Thank you for all your help today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua waved his hand to dismiss his thanks. Looking at Shi Jin\u2019s face, he opened his mouth several times, wanting to say something, but in the end, he closed it without a word.<\/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

The orphanage had a photocopier. Jian Chenghua personally copied the documents for Shi Jin, then accompanied him to the orphanage\u2019s gate to send him off.<\/span><\/p>

Before Shi Jin left, Jian Chenghua stopped him and asked a strange question: \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked at him for a second, uncomprehending, but he soon figured out what the old man was asking. Bending his arm to display his firm muscles, he said, \u201cI\u2019m great! I can easily run five kilometers in one go. I just took the college entrance exam. I\u2019m going to attend a police academy\u2014my dream is to become a policeman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua smiled at him, but his eyes were red. \u201cBeing a policeman is good, it\u2019s best for a boy to have a strong body\u2026\u00a0 Can you let me know if you find out anything about your mother? Jinwen\u2019s life was so short, if there\u2019s a younger generation\u2026\u201d He broke off, knowing that his words were a bit out of place.<\/span><\/p>

But Shi Jin didn\u2019t mind. \u201cOf course,\u201d he replied with a smile. \u201cIf the news is good, I\u2019ll accompany you to visit Mr. Jian\u2019s grave, to light incense for him and pay my respects.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Jian Chenghua\u2019s face brightened at once. Eyes filled with gratitude, he nodded eagerly. \u201cYes, good, thank you, thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Seeing the old man like that, Shi Jin felt his nose turn sour. He said a polite, \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d got in the car, and motioned for Gua Two to leave.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two started the car straight away.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked into the rearview mirror, watching Jian Chenghua turn into a small dark spot, and the smile on his face slowly collapsed. He let out a long breath and hugged Lian Jun\u2019s waist sideways.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Lian Jun asked softly, patting his back.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo, nothing\u2026 I just think it\u2019s good to be healthy.\u201d For a moment, Shi Jin just breathed in his familiar smell. Then, as he caught sight of the progress bars in his mind, he bolted upright again. \u201cDid Uncle Long arrange your health check? For when? How is it going with the poison formula, will we have the results soon?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Witnessing the teenager\u2019s fluctuating mood, Lian Jun guessed that what Jian Chenghua told him must have been unpleasant. Stroking Shi Jin\u2019s back to soothe him, he replied, \u201cThe health check has been scheduled for tomorrow, the hospital has been informed. As for the poison\u2014once the current stage of research is finished, the doctor will be able to start arranging treatment. It will be very soon, you don\u2019t have to be anxious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s expression relaxed a bit. He took Lian Jun\u2019s hand and said seriously, \u201cI\u2019m not anxious. We shouldn\u2019t rush, it\u2019s fine even if the process is slow\u2014our goal isn\u2019t to get rid of the poison all at once, but to eradicate it<\/span> completely.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cOkay, then let\u2019s take things slowly,\u201d Lian Jun agreed, trying to calm the teenager\u2019s unstable mood.<\/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

After his agitated emotions settled down, Shi Jin recounted Jian Chenghua\u2019s story. He took out the adoption papers when he was finished, saying, \u201cI want to get information about Jian Jinwen\u2019s biological parents and check if he and my mother are connected in any way. Oh, and could you please send people to protect Jian Chenghua? I\u2019m afraid of some accident happening to him, and he\u2019s not young anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun took the documents. \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll ask someone to take care of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThank you.\u201d Shi Jin smiled at him. \u201cActually, there\u2019s one more thing\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019d like to see Xu Chuan,\u201d Shi Jin said, feeling his agitation returning. \u201c<\/span>That time when he saw me, his reaction was really strange<\/b><\/a>\u2014I\u2019ve always thought that he knows something. I want to talk to him and see if he doesn\u2019t let something slip.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun touched the younger man\u2019s cheek. \u201cIt\u2019s not impossible. I\u2019ll contact the officials and arrange it for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked at him, his agitation disappearing as if blown away by an early summer breeze\u2014hugging his lover\u2019s \u201cgolden thigh\u201d felt so good.<\/span><\/p>

He snapped out of his daze and captured Lian Jun\u2019s hand, lowering his head as he focused on massaging the beautiful, slender fingers.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun always helped him\u2014he wanted to repay him somehow.<\/span><\/p>

But how? He seemed to have nothing he could give in return.<\/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>

This is an extra chapter – you get it courtesy of Con, Winxer, and two anonymous kind souls who bought me coffees~
(o\u309c\u25bd\u309c)o \u2764<\/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\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\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
\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSTILL WANTED<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA dedicated TL checker for Part-Time Taoist Priest. It's a great novel, but unfortunately, I can't give it attention it deserves. Drop in on Discord if you're interested.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\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
\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
\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-10922","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\/10922","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=10922"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11630,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10922\/revisions\/11630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}