{"id":12976,"date":"2020-10-26T12:00:15","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T16:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=12976"},"modified":"2025-09-08T18:33:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T22:33:25","slug":"death-progress-bar-103","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/death-progress-bar-103\/","title":{"rendered":"Death Progress Bar 103"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Field Training<\/span><\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Time passed imperceptibly; before Shi Jin knew it, the military training was coming to an end. Now that he wasn\u2019t tormented by nightmares, his condition improved with each passing day, and very quickly his performance surpassed that of any other cadet. Finally, several instructors recommended him as the main flag-bearer for this year\u2019s cadets\u2019 parade.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe main flag-bearer!\u201d Liu Yong sighed with envy. \u201cDuring the parade and the final inspection, the main flag-bearer grabs the most attention. I want to be one too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin put away the special epaulettes, gloves, and other items for the flag-bearer that he was given, and glanced at him sideways. \u201cThe flag-bearers train an additional hour every day. Are you sure you want to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The envy instantly disappeared from Liu Yong\u2019s mind, and he shook his head in fright. \u201cNo, definitely not! We have field training in a few days\u2014I need to save my strength for then. I\u2019ll disgrace our squad if I\u2019m unable to last to the end.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Luo Donghao sighed with regret. \u201cIt\u2019s a pity we aren\u2019t allowed to team up this time or we could go with Shi Jin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s better that we can\u2019t, I wouldn\u2019t keep up with his speed anyway.\u201d Liu Yong shook his head harder and even moved farther away from Shi Jin.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin glanced at him helplessly. He couldn\u2019t understand where this reverence came from, and he felt that he needed to assure Liu Yong that he was just a normal person. But just as he opened his mouth, Xiang Aoting, who\u2019d been called away earlier, came back and beckoned him over.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe instructor calls me, I have to go,\u201d he excused himself, getting up and walking over to Xiang Aoting.<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong sighed again, and commented, \u201cThe instructor really likes Shi Jin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Luo Donghao lowered his head and counted the ants, pretending that he didn\u2019t hear anything.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The brothers walked some distance away from the crowd. His back to the cadets, Xiang Aoting said in a low voice, \u201cThe place for camp and field training has been decided\u2014it\u2019s a mountain near the base. I told Lian Jun where it is; he might come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked up at him, his eyes wide with excitement.<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting hurriedly pushed the teenager\u2019s head down a little to stop his expression from being seen. \u201cRestrain yourself a bit, will you\u2026\u201d he said somewhat helplessly. \u201cThere\u2019d be a race during field training\u2014you\u2019ll need to rush to the top of the mountain, find a small flag there, and take it back to the starting point. The first person to come down will get extra points. If you want to get first place in the military training, you can\u2019t let it pass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cSo, Lian Jun\u2026\u201d Shi Jin began expectantly.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe\u2019ll stay in the forest ranger\u2019s cabin for a while. The cabin is on the hillside, some distance away from the main road uphill. It will take some time to get there and back, so you must take care not to delay too long,\u201d Xiang Aoting cautioned. A bit at a loss to see Shi Jin so excited, he patted his head and said, \u201cThe university military training happens just once. I hope you can learn to enjoy it and have a good time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Surprised, Shi Jin looked at him. Under his brother\u2019s warm, patient gaze, his excitement calmed down a little. Abruptly, he hugged Xiang Aoting hard, saying earnestly, \u201cI have a good time already. Thank you, Fourth Brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Secretly lending him a mobile phone and arranging a meeting with Lian Jun during the training\u2014Xiang Aoting did it despite violating his own principles, just to make Shi Jin happy. Devoted affection like this was too rare; how could he not cherish it?<\/span><\/p>

The hug dazed Xiang Aoting for a moment. After he returned to his senses, he gently hugged Shi Jin back. \u201cWe\u2019re brothers, why are you being so polite?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Their hug was brief and didn\u2019t last long, but Luo Donghao\u2019s eagle eye still caught it. He gasped in shock, reflexively letting out a yelp which attracted the attention of all the nearby teammates.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d Liu Yong looked at him worriedly and raised his hand to touch his forehead. \u201cYou screamed like a stuck pig\u2014did a ghost possess you or something?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Out of the corner of his eye, Luo Donghao saw that Shi Jin and Xiang Aoting separated, and let out a sigh of relief, his heart weary. \u201cWhat ghost? The hell they taught you in school? I was just clearing my throat, it was a little itchy.\u201d he said, pushing away Liu Yong\u2019s hand.<\/span><\/p>

\u201c<\/span>Tsk<\/span><\/em>.\u201d<\/em> Miffed, Liu Yong gave him a shove.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations<\/a>. Read on the original translator’s site to get the fastest updates!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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After the training ended in the evening, Luo Donghao sought out Shi Jin. \u201cShi Jin, uh, you and the instructor should pay more attention. The cadet and the instructor\u2026 <\/span>cough<\/span><\/em>, together, it\u2019s not\u2026 If you make it too obvious, people will talk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked at him in incomprehension. \u201cWhat was that last part?\u201d he asked, confused. \u201cI couldn\u2019t understand a word of what you said after you coughed. \u2018The instructor\u2019 what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

But as Luo Donghao saw it, Shi Jin was still persisting in playing dumb. Anxious, he stopped beating around the bush: \u201cWe\u2019re friends, so I specially came to remind you\u2014y-you should try to restrain yourself, you know? When you hugged the instructor in the afternoon, there were so many people around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAh, so you saw it.\u201d Finally realizing what Luo Donghao had been talking about, Shi Jin explained, embarrassed, \u201cYeah, you\u2019re right. I was just so happy at the time that it slipped my mind that someone might see us. Thank you for reminding me, I\u2019ll be more careful in the future. I need to go for additional training now. See you later!\u201d He picked up the flag-bearer\u2019s equipment and went to find Xiang Aoting.<\/span><\/p>

Luo Donghao watched him leave. He heard the joy and expectation in his words, and his heart filled with despair\u2014<\/span>This reaction<\/span><\/em>\u2026 It seemed that Shi Jin was dead set on getting together with the instructor, no matter the consequences.<\/span><\/p>

What a disaster<\/span><\/em>..<\/span><\/i>. Luo Donghao prayed for the military training to end as soon as possible. Judging from Shi Jin\u2019s state, perhaps he wouldn\u2019t be able to control his young adult\u2019s hormones and would try to do something to the instructor right here in the base…<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Shi Jin was indeed happy and excited, but this had very little to do with Xiang Aoting and a lot with Lian Jun. After the one-hour additional training ended, his eyes fixed on Xiang Aoting\u2019s pocket\u2014there was a device to contact Lian Jun there!<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting instantly understood the meaning of his gaze. He stifled a sigh and frowned at his younger brother, emphasizing, \u201cI\u2019ll send him a message for you. You\u2019re not allowed to touch the phone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin nodded like a chicken pecking at the rice and held his arm to his chest as if to show that<\/span> he absolutely wouldn\u2019t touch it.<\/span><\/p>

They sat opposite each other. Xiang Aoting took in Shi Jin\u2019s \u201cwell-behaved\u201d sitting posture, and an image of a puppy frantically wagging its tail flashing through his mind all of a sudden. A bit dejected, he pulled out his phone, found Lian Jun\u2019s number, and chose <\/span>Compose a new message<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you call directly? I won\u2019t touch the phone\u2014you can just put it on speaker and let me listen to you and Lian Jun talk.\u201d Given an inch, Shi Jin unabashedly reached for a mile.<\/span><\/p>

What could an active duty soldier and a leader of an underworld organization have to talk about?<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting eyed him, feeling rather unwilling. Still, he exited the message interface and chose <\/span>Call<\/span><\/em>. Lian Jun answered almost in a few seconds and\u2014ignoring the fact that the call was coming from Xiang Aoting\u2019s number\u2014called out, {Shi Jin?}<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s me!\u201d Shi Jin immediately leaned closer to the phone. After a warning glance from Xiang Aoting, he moved away as if nothing happened and lowered his head to straighten the tassels on the flag-bearer\u2019s epaulettes. \u201cI\u2019m nothing but a voice in the background, ignore me. You guys talk, I\u2019ll just listen,\u201d he said toward the ground.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun\u2019s voice immediately turned more reserved. {Is Xiang Aoting there?}<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI am,\u201d Xiang Aoting replied. He looked at Shi Jin\u2019s lowered head and said, forcing his heart to harden, \u201cYou have two minutes. It\u2019s almost curfew, Shi Jin has to go back to the dorm to wash and rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s ears cocked, and he raised his head again.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun was silent for a moment, then said, {Thank you.}<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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And so, a strange scene could be seen on the training grounds: an instructor seemed to be talking on the phone but his mouth didn\u2019t move; a cadet next to him seemed to be waiting for the instructor to finish the call, but his mouth kept moving.<\/span><\/p>

Two minutes were too short. Shi Jin barely asked about Lian Jun\u2019s meals and rest, and the time was up. He reluctantly said goodnight to Lian Jun, sighing sadly as he watched Xiang Aoting hang up.<\/span><\/p>

Once again, the brief moment of happiness he\u2019d stolen for himself had passed.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDo you like him that much?\u201d Xiang Aoting asked abruptly, putting away his mobile phone.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked at him; seeing that his brother asked this question seriously, he answered seriously as well. \u201cYes, I do. I want to spend my life with him. Fourth Brother, Lian Jun is really good. I hope you can get along well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting didn\u2019t reply. He bent down to help Shi Jin gather his things, only speaking once they walked out of the training grounds: \u201cWhy him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin walked beside him empty-handed. \u201cThere is no reason to like someone. By the time I realized it, I was already in love with him and, fortunately, he loves me too. Fourth Brother, you\u2019re all biased against Lian Jun\u2014he didn\u2019t choose the path he\u2019s on of his own accord but was forced onto it. In his position, he doesn\u2019t have the freedom to act as he\u2019d like, and has no choice in many things. In fact, he\u2019d rather be an ordinary person than a leader of an underworld organization.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting lowered his gaze, considering Shi Jin\u2019s words.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin continued, \u201cHe\u2019s very good and he treats me well. When I first met him, I was in a sorry state\u2014I was destitute, fat, useless, and knew nothing. I even poached pheasants in his orchard. Even so, he didn\u2019t scorn me. After learning of my situation, he took me in, gave me food, clothes, work, found someone to teach me, and let me accompany him wherever he went. I didn\u2019t intend to continue to study; I wanted to wait for my life to stabilize and then go to a college for adults or something. But he didn\u2019t agree\u2014he coaxed me to study in various ways, arranged teachers for me, made me take part in the college entrance examination, and helped me enroll in school. When I said that I wanted to go to the police academy, Gua One and the others all disapproved, he was the only one who supported me\u2026 Fourth Brother, without him, there would be no me now. It was he who didn\u2019t let me go astray and pushed me on to the right path.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

It wouldn\u2019t be an exaggeration to say that it was Lian Jun who picked up the tousled mess that was Shi Jin\u2019s life after rebirth, untangled it, and little by little wove it into what it was now, helping him find his own place in this world.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe\u2019s very important to me,\u201d Shi Jin stressed, his tone firm. \u201cI want to spend the rest of my life with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cXiao Jin.\u201d Suddenly, Xiang Aoting stopped walking and asked, \u201cAre you happy now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin glanced at him and replied, his eyes narrowing in a smile, \u201cIf you lend me your phone so I can make a video call to Lian Jun, I\u2019d be even happier.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cEven happier\u201d\u2014so you are already happy?<\/span><\/em><\/p>

\u201cThat\u2019s good.\u201d Xiang Aoting raised a hand and touched Shi Jin\u2019s hair, with an expression of resigned acceptance. \u201cI\u2019ll trust your judgment\u2026 but a video call is impossible. Now go back, wash, and sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The smile on Shi Jin\u2019s face vanished in a flash. Expressionless, he snatched his belongings from Xiang Aoting\u2019s hand, said goodnight to him, and walked away.<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting stood in place, watching him leave. <\/span>Destitute, fat, useless, knew nothing<\/span><\/em>\u2026 After a long time, he let out a heavy sigh. Just what kind of older brothers they all had been…<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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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

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After the date of the camp and field training was announced, Shi Jin\u2019s squadmates discovered that the \u201cmonster\u201d showed an almost fanatical enthusiasm for it, pestering the instructor with questions every day.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIs he a masochist? Why the heck is he looking forward to this torture?\u201d Liu Yong forced out.<\/span><\/p>

Luo Donghao glanced at Shi Jin talking with Xiang Aoting about the field training, \u201cbrazenly monopolizing\u201d him, and said in a heavy tone, \u201cYou don\u2019t understand\u2014the field training isn\u2019t important, <\/span>preparing<\/span><\/em> for the field training is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Liu Yong looked at him, frowning, then touched his forehead with concern. \u201cYou really got possessed by a ghost. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll drive it out. I heard that spitting can\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Luo Donghao slapped his hand away and pressed him to the ground, stopping his nonsense.<\/span><\/p>

Soon, the day of the field training came. Shi Jin was the first one to get up and rush to the training grounds. Fully equipped in the military gear the cadets were issued, he impatiently waited for the half an hour assembly to end, then eagerly walked towards the field training site with the rest of his squad. That\u2019s right, walked\u2014this time, there was no bus to ride; the cadets had to cover the whole distance on foot!<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWelcome to hell,\u201d Liu Yong uttered, empty-eyed.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin, on the other hand, was radiating with vigor. \u201cThe mountain is not far from the base,\u201d he said, excited. \u201cCome on, move your legs! Let\u2019s go have some fun!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Fun<\/span><\/em>… Liu Yong choked. He turned his head away from Shi Jin, afraid he\u2019d burst a blood vessel if he continued looking at him.<\/span><\/p>

The <\/span>march<\/span><\/a> to the mountain was in itself an exercise cadets had to complete as part of their training, and it was also accompanied by other exercises. Because of this, it took them three hours to reach their destination, despite the fact that the mountain was a relatively short distance away. Everyone dropped down on the ground at the assembly place indicated by the instructor and ate some dry rations to fill their stomachs; after a short rest, there came the highlight of the field training: the mountain race!<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThere are three roads up the mountain, you can choose which one you want to take. The departure time is 1:00 p.m. Those who haven\u2019t got back here with the flag before 3:00 p.m. will have their credits deduced and will have to recover them by additional training,\u201d Xiang Aoting explained the rules, then passed every cadet a copy of the route map. \u201cIt\u2019s half past noon now; you have half an hour to prepare. If you encounter an accident, you must immediately send out a signal to contact the instructor nearby, don\u2019t try to be brave and tough it out. During the competition, you\u2019re not allowed to form a team or help someone else get a flag\u2014you must complete the task independently, understood?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d the cadets shouted. After receiving the map, they quickly unfolded it and took a look.<\/span><\/p>

The three routes had different difficulty levels. Route 1, the closest to the assembly site, was the easiest, but also the most circuitous and as such the slowest. Route 2 was an old road, used when the mountain had had residents and now abandoned; it didn\u2019t detour, but it wasn\u2019t in a good condition either. Route 3 was just a barely discernible path; it led straight to the top of the mountain, but it was difficult to traverse and even a little dangerous.<\/span><\/p>

Well aware of his limitations, Liu Yong decided to take Route 1. \u201cWhich one are you taking?\u201d he asked Luo Donghao.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNumber 2. I have good stamina but poor agility, Route 3 is too steep a climb for me.\u201d Luo Donghao was sensible as well. He looked at Shi Jin, wanting to ask him about his choice, only to find that Shi Jin had already put his gear back on and got to his feet, apparently leaving.<\/span><\/p>

Taken aback, he called out, \u201cWait, where are you going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Not stopping, Shi Jin looked back over his shoulder and pointed to the left side of the hill. \u201cTo Route 3\u2019s starting point,\u201d he called back. \u201cI\u2019m taking that one, it seems to have the best views.\u201d By the time he finished speaking, he was already more than ten meters away, and disappeared from sight a moment later.<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong gaped after him, dumbstruck. \u201c\u2018The best views\u2019? What on earth does he think he\u2019s here for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cFor training, what else? It can\u2019t possibly be for dating, can it?\u201d Luo Donghao also was a little speechless. He glanced at Xiang Aoting, who was watching Shi Jin leave, and heaved a sigh.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Shi Jin dashed out of the starting point the second the gunfire announcing the start of the race sounded. He rushed up the mountain path, half-running and half-climbing, and soon disappeared into the woods.<\/span><\/p>

His movements shocked the cadets who also chose this route. One of them couldn\u2019t help but try Shi Jin\u2019s hill-climbing method and ended up tumbling down miserably. Getting up, he growled angrily, \u201cDon\u2019t let me find the person who spread those rumors, or I\u2019ll kill him! \u2018Spoiled young master,\u2019 my ass!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The others silently echoed his words. They carefully went up the path, not daring to rush like Shi Jin.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations<\/a>. Read on the original translator’s site to get the fastest updates!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Shi Jin ran as fast as he could, rushing to the top of the mountain with all his might. Without stopping, he grabbed a little flag attached to a tree, then sprinted in the direction of the ranger\u2019s cabin. <\/span>Faster, faster\u2014the faster you run now, the longer you can stay with Lian Jun.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Finally!<\/span><\/em> His hair had become damp with sweat, when\u2014at long last\u2014the cabin appeared in the view. His eyes lit up. Hurriedly stuffing the little flag in the backpack on his back, he rushed to the door and pushed it open, shouting happily, \u201cLian Jun!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun, who was skimming through documents on his tablet, barely heard someone running outside when the door not far in front of him was thrown open. Before his eyes could adjust to the change in light intensity, a sweaty body plunged toward him.<\/span><\/p>

Bam<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin didn\u2019t get the angle right; as a result, he banged his head on Lian Jun\u2019s wheelchair and cried out in pain.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun hurriedly threw the tablet aside and reached out to touch Shi Jin\u2019s head, frowning in concern. \u201cWhere did you hit yourself? Does it bleed? Let me see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked up at him and instantly forgot the pain. He pulled Lian Jun into his arms and hugged him hard, rubbing him almost like kneading dough. \u201cYou really came! The road uphill is in awful condition, how did you get up here? When did you come? Have you eaten lunch properly? And nap? Did you take a nap after lunch?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun felt as if he was caught by an overexcited bear. Amusement, heartache, and tenderness mingling in his chest, he returned the hug, gently stroking Shi Jin\u2019s back. \u201cI took another, repaired, road. Gua One and Gua Two accompanied me. I had lunch but I haven\u2019t taken a nap, I\u2019ll take one later,\u201d he replied, looking over at Gua One, who kept guard in the corner.<\/span><\/p>

Words were unnecessary\u2014Gua One quietly got up and walked out the door. He exchanged silent glances with Gua Two, who was watching outside, and took a position where they could guard the cabin from both sides.<\/span><\/p>

Inside, Shi Jin listened to Lian Jun, replying \u2018uh-huh\u2019, \u2018uh-huh\u2019. Feeling that the wheelchair was really getting in the way, he pulled Lian Jun out of it and made him sit on the narrow bed that the mountain ranger could use to rest, and then hugged him again.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cLet me take a look at your head first,\u201d Lian Jun said, hugging him with one arm and pulling away a little. At the sight of a bump on Shi Jin\u2019s forehead, he frowned. \u201cDoes it hurt?\u201d he asked, touching it lightly.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin shook his head, watching him with shining eyes. Suddenly, he leaned forward and kissed him.<\/span><\/p>

He had just been exerting himself; he was covered in sweat, his short hair was messy, and blades of grass clung to his body here and there. His skin was darker than before and his muscles firmer. He wore an olive-green t-shirt, camouflage pants, and a pair of army boots.<\/span><\/p>

This was Shi Jin that Lian Jun had never seen before, ruggedly handsome and oozing testosterone.<\/span><\/p>

Distracted, Lian Jun let Shi Jin seize the initiative, and was pushed down on the bunk as they kissed.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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He was surrounded by Shi Jin\u2019s smell and felt his rapid heartbeat, hugged so tight it was almost painful. He opened his eyes and watched Shi Jin kiss him eagerly, and the place in his heart that felt empty for much too long finally filled up again. He caressed the back of Shi Jin\u2019s head and closed his eyes, yielding.<\/span><\/p>

Their breathing gradually became heavy. Just as Lian Jun was about to retake the initiative, Shi Jin suddenly pulled away and got off the bunk. He took out a bottle of water from his backpack, twisted off the cap, and poured it down on his head, panting.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Lian Jun sat up, tidying up his somewhat disorderly robes, and moved to approach Shi Jin.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo, don\u2019t get close to me for now,\u201d Shi Jin hurriedly raised a hand to stop him. He wiped the water off his face, feeling a little glum. \u201cI can\u2019t stay here for too long. I want to spend this precious time talking with you rather than wasting it. Just sit there and don\u2019t move while I calm down, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun\u2019s eyes swept over half-crouching, half-squatting Shi Jin, from a certain hidden part of his body to the water bottle in his hand. His heart stirred a little; however, he didn\u2019t show it on his face, only said considerately, \u201cAll right, I won\u2019t come over. But sit down properly, you won\u2019t rest if you keep crouching.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin simply plopped down on the floor. He looked up at Lian Jun sitting on the bed, clothes messy and lips red and slightly swollen, and groaned. He raised the water bottle to give himself another cold shower, then pressed the bottleneck on his forehead, hard.<\/span><\/p>

A jolt of sharp pain ran through his body, slightly suppressing the other physical impulses.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun got up and rushed over, then pulled Shi Jin\u2019s hand away. \u201cDon\u2019t do stupid things,\u201d he said with a frown.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin captured his hand. \u201cWho made you look so good?\u201d he complained, looking up at him. \u201cI\u2019m at an age when my hormones are raging\u2014if I don\u2019t distract myself somehow, I\u2019m afraid I might eat you up now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

As the saying had it, <\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/i>Absence makes the heart grow fonder\u2019<\/span><\/em>. Add this to the fact that the body he had now was young and excitable, and things could easily get out of hand if they weren\u2019t careful.<\/span><\/p>

Nothing could ever be as reassuring as your lover\u2019s straightforward desire for you. Shi Jin\u2019s frank words dispelled all the worries and anxieties that were surging up occasionally in Lian Jun\u2019s heart during the younger man\u2019s absence. Stroking Shi Jin\u2019s thoroughly drenched hair, he teased, \u201cHow come I never knew you\u2019re this unprincipled?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIsn\u2019t it all your fault?\u201d Shi Jin didn\u2019t avoid his hand, only looked up at him and warned unconvincingly, \u201cStop teasing me, I\u2019m very dangerous right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m also very dangerous right now.\u201d Lian Jun bent down and kissed his forehead, murmuring, \u201cShi Jin, I think the way you miss me is exactly the same as the way I miss you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

As the warm breath caressed his face, Shi Jin clenched his eyes shut. He pulled Lian Jun down and bit his lip, growling, \u201cI told you not to tease me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun smiled and took him into his arms, regardless of whether the water on Shi Jin\u2019s body would wet his clothes. \u201cShi Jin, I regret a little that I let you choose a police academy.\u201d This separation was so hard to bear.<\/span><\/p>

Pursing his lips, Shi Jin hugged him, burying his face in his chest.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Translator’s Notes:<\/strong><\/h3>
  1. \u201cYou screamed like a stuck pig\u2014did a ghost possess you or something?<\/span>\u201d<\/strong><\/em> – “ghost possession” (“ghost upper body”) is a literal translation. Sometimes, it’s used to describe a person acting out of character, i.e. This is not like you, are you possessed by a ghost?<\/em><\/span><\/li>
  2. “<\/strong><\/em>Shi Jin was dead set on getting together with the instructor, no matter the consequences”<\/strong><\/em> – \u6b7b\u732a\u4e0d\u6015\u5f00\u6c34\u70eb – idiom, lit. a dead pig doesn’t fear scalding water<\/em>. It means to be unaffected (by sth) \/ undaunted \/ hold no scruple over things \/ care nothing about the consequences.<\/span><\/li>
  3. \u2018Absence makes the heart grow fonder\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/i> – \u5c0f\u5225\u52dd\u65b0\u5a5a [xi\u01ceobi\u00e9 sh\u00e8ng x\u012bnh\u016bn] – (idiom, said of married couples) lit. reunion after an absence is sweeter than being newlyweds; reunion after a brief parting is as sweet as a honeymoon.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\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
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    Translator: Eques<\/em>
    Editor: LA_meimou
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    Eques:<\/h3>

    Okay, folks, first things first – sorry for missing the update last week (and again, I assure you I will<\/em> make up for it).<\/p>

    That out of the way, please welcome my new editor, LA_meimou, who’s doing a great job! \ud83c\udf89\ud83c\udf89\ud83c\udf89
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    ...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":11238,"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-12976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dpb","tag-betrayal","tag-bl","tag-comedy","tag-modern","tag-system","tag-transmigration"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cdv-e1584612887502.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12976","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=12976"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12976\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13058,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12976\/revisions\/13058"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}