{"id":16075,"date":"2021-12-13T12:00:57","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T17:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=16075"},"modified":"2022-01-17T14:11:01","modified_gmt":"2022-01-17T19:11:01","slug":"death-progress-bar-121","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/death-progress-bar-121\/","title":{"rendered":"Death Progress Bar 121"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Winter Break<\/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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By the time Shi Jin finally returned to school, the second class in the afternoon was about to begin. He called Liu Yong, asking him to help him fetch his textbook, and headed directly to the classroom with the takeout box and Lian Jun\u2019s present.<\/span><\/p>

The school bell rang just as he entered the classroom. He quickened his pace and walked to sit down next to Luo Donghao, taking the textbook Liu Yong handed him. After the teacher started the lecture, he took out Lian Jun\u2019s gift from his pocket and quietly opened it under the desk\u2014he was in a hurry to come back and hadn\u2019t had time to see what it was.<\/span><\/p>

The lid came off, revealing a black and gold fountain pen.<\/span><\/p>

He was a little surprised; he didn\u2019t expect that Lian Jun\u2019s gift would be a pen. He took it out of the box to take a closer look. Soon, at the top of the pen cap, he noticed a small, golden engraved word: \u2018<\/span>Jun<\/span><\/em>\u2019<\/span><\/i> [\u541b, <\/span>j\u016bn<\/span><\/em>].<\/span><\/p>

This guy\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/p>

He couldn\u2019t help but smile. He touched the engraved character, then took the cap off. Seeing the pen had ink, he opened his notebook and wrote the word, <\/span>Jun<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

A faint scent of the ink spread in the air, much like the scent that sometimes lingered in Lian Jun\u2019s study.<\/span><\/p>

His smile deepened as he immediately understood Lian Jun\u2019s intention in giving him the pen\u2014even in class, he would always hold \u201cJun\u201d and feel the presence of \u201cJun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

What a cunning man.<\/span><\/p>

Luo Donghao suddenly nudged him with his elbow.<\/span><\/p>

Snapping back to his senses, he looked at Luo Donghao questioningly.<\/span><\/p>

His friend silently gestured towards the teacher on the dais, then pointed at his mouth, implying that Shi Jin\u2019s smile just now was too foolish.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin hurriedly got his expression under control, shooting a glance at the teacher currently writing on the blackboard. With a small cough, he put the pen back in the box and began to pay attention to the lecture.<\/span><\/p>

After the afternoon classes ended, Shi Jin called Liu Yong and Luo Donghao, took the takeout box to the cafeteria, and asked to borrow the microwave oven. After heating the food, Shi Jin shared it with them.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDamn, I\u2019m so envious of you. Your boyfriend is really doting,\u201d Liu Yong sighed as he ate.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin beamed with pleasure at his remark and replied with no sense of shame, \u201cYes, he is! He\u2019s so sweet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong choked on the rice and decided to let the topic drop. Ignoring Shi Jin, the boyfriend-obsessed idiot, he said, \u201cThe end-of-term physical fitness test is about to start, but the weather forecast says it\u2019s going to snow. What about the long-distance run? Will they make us run in the snow? Our school doesn\u2019t have an indoor track.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

This was indeed a big problem.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin took out the phone and checked the weather forecast for the next few days. \u201cIt will probably be postponed,\u201d he said. \u201cI doubt the school will make us take the fitness test in the snow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI hope so.\u201d Luo Donghao cast a worried glance at the gloomy sky outside.<\/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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Proving the cadets\u2019 forebodings justified, it began snowing heavily and soon, a thick white layer covered the ground. The school had to change the exam schedule and swap the dates of the fitness test and written exams, hoping that the weather would clear up by the time they were over.<\/span><\/p>

This change, however, meant that the cadets suddenly had much less time to review. Not surprisingly, complaints and wails of misery soon filled the school.<\/span><\/p>

After Shi Jin saw the school notice, in order not to fail, he immediately turned on the hell review mode. He dragged Liu Yong and Luo Donghao to the library every day to do exam prep review courses. During weekends, he would make video calls to the two so they could review together what they\u2019d learned.<\/span><\/p>

With Shi Jin\u2019s example, Liu Yong and Luo Donghao also unconsciously felt anxious to study and buried themselves in books, reviewing late into the night.<\/span><\/p>

Amidst studying and exams, time flew by. Snow fell and stopped, fell and stopped; at long last, when the written exams ended, the clouds dispersed and the sun came out.<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong was so moved that he was about to cry. Hugging the ugly snowman in front of the dormitory building\u2019s entrance, he wailed, \u201cDevil! Shi Jin, you\u2019re a devil! I\u2019ll never review for the exams with you again! Where did you get those review materials? They were so many and so hard, it was hell!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin, who was back to his normal self since the exams were over, coughed in embarrassment and pulled him off the snowman. \u201cMy tutor compiled them based on our textbooks. He said that as long as we remember those key points, we can pass no matter what\u2026 Yes, yes, I\u2019m a devil, it\u2019s all my fault. Anyway, the exams are finished, we don\u2019t need to review anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong wasn\u2019t really upset, he was just venting his joy that the exams were over. Hearing Shi Jin\u2019s answer, he stopped acting silly and said, \u201cYou actually have a tutor in college\u2026 Dude, you\u2019d better not let your roommates know or soon the whole school will hear about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin nodded, feeling a headache. He could tell that his roommates weren\u2019t actually malicious, but the subtle, awkward feeling of not being able to get along and his private life being snooped on was really uncomfortable.<\/span><\/p>

It would be great if he could change roommates, but it wouldn\u2019t be possible until the third year…<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe fitness test is split over two days. Our class\u2019s long-distance run is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. I hope it won\u2019t start snowing again,\u201d Luo Donghao said, still a little worried about the weather, then turned to look at Shi Jin. \u201cAnyway, what are you doing during the winter break? How about we go have some fun together?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

At the words, Liu Yong reached out and grabbed Shi Jin by the collar, saying mock-threateningly, \u201cYou\u2019d better not tell us you can\u2019t because you have to accompany your boyfriend. There should be a limit to putting hoes before bros, yanno?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin avoided his gaze, expression sheepish. \u201cActually\u2026 We\u2019ll probably leave B city as soon as the winter break starts and spend the rest of the winter on an island in the south\u2026 You know how cold the winter here gets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong and Luo Donghao: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAh! You damn rich kid!\u201d Liu Yong let go of Shi Jin\u2019s collar, grabbed a handful of snow to make a snowball, and threw it at Shi Jin.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin hurriedly dodged, then turned and ran away.<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong let out an angry shout and chased after him.<\/span><\/p>

Luo Donghao watched from the side, speechless at his two friends\u2019 childishness.<\/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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On the second day of the fitness test, the weather refused to cooperate. The students in Class 1 were in the middle of the long-distance run when it started to snow.<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong gnashed his teeth. \u201cLuo Donghao, you damn <\/span>crow\u2019s mouth<\/span><\/a>! You kept saying it was gonna snow and jinxed us! It was still sunny in the morning!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe weather forecast yesterday said it might snow today,\u201d Luo Donghao countered.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBut it said it might snow today at <\/span>night<\/span><\/em>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin hurriedly squeezed in between them, placating, \u201cOkay, that\u2019s enough, talking also consumes physical strength. Let\u2019s hurry up and finish the run, things will get bad if this snow gets any heavier.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Liu Yong and Luo Donghao both shut up and picked up their pace.<\/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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The end-of-term exams ended without a hitch. On the first day of the winter break, Shi Jin, who spent last evening excited for the winter break, suddenly keeled over while rushing outside to make a snowman and was hurriedly taken to the infirmary by Lian Jun and Gua One.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAfter running in the snow and becoming all sweaty, instead of warming yourself in the shower and putting on dry clothes in school, you came back in the damp jogging suit. To top it off, in the evening, you drank soda straight from the fridge, and in the morning, you stuck your head out of the window to see the snow in the yard. If this isn\u2019t a textbook example of <\/span>self-inflicted<\/span><\/em>, I don\u2019t know what is!\u201d Growling, Uncle Long took Shi Jin\u2019s temperature, then his expression turned even angrier. \u201c39.6\u00b0C. Get your ass in the bed, I\u2019ll give you an IV drip.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin obediently found a bed and lay down. He glanced at frowning and worried-looking Lian Jun, who\u2019d been stopped outside the infirmary door by Uncle Long\u2019s assistant, and managed to force a smile at him.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat are you smiling for like a fool? And you, Jun-shao\u2014didn\u2019t you pick him up yesterday? Why did you let him come back in wet clothes? This morning, too\u2014didn\u2019t you notice that his face was strangely flushed?\u201d Uncle Long stopped beside the bed, blocking Shi Jin\u2019s line of sight, and scolded Lian Jun while setting up the IV drip.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun\u2019s hands resting on the wheelchair armrests unconsciously clenched into fists. \u201cYou\u2019re right, it\u2019s my negligence. He\u2019s always been in good health so I became careless. I did notice his face was flushed but I thought it was because he was excited about making a snowman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin immediately came to his defense: \u201cNo, it\u2019s clearly my\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou shut up.\u201d Uncle Long pulled the blanket over Shi Jin\u2019s head, cutting him off. \u201cThe patient should act like a patient and rest. Gua One, tell the staff to disinfect Jun-shao\u2019s room. Jun-shao, from right now until Shi Jin completely recovers, you must live separately and not have close contact. Also, minimize time spent in the same room to avoid getting infected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun glanced at Shi Jin lying on the infirmary bed and didn\u2019t reply, his face unreadable.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine, Jun-shao. My fever will come down soon, I just need to sleep it off. When I get well, I\u2019ll make a snowman for you,\u201d Shi Jin appeased, lifting his head from the bed to look at his lover. His face, flushed from the fever, looked silly and pitiful.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun moved his wheelchair forward, trying to get closer to him, but was firmly blocked by Uncle Long\u2019s assistant. Unwilling to give up, he forced himself to calm down and looked at Shi Jin, soothing, \u201cGo to sleep, then. I\u2019ll stay right outside and watch over you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin wanted to say no but seeing Lian Jun\u2019s expression, he swallowed his words and said instead, \u201cLet\u2019s play mahjong together later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun felt a pang of resentment for his own useless body, but it didn\u2019t show on his face. \u201cOkay,\u201d he agreed.<\/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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\u2018Sickness comes on horseback, but goes away on foot\u2019<\/span><\/em><\/a>; before Lian Jun came back with the tablet, Shi Jin had already fallen asleep. He seemed not to feel comfortable as his sleeping face was creased in a frown.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun put down the tablet and slid the wheelchair into the infirmary under Uncle Long\u2019s reproachful stare.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cJun-shao.\u201d The doctor\u2019s expression radiated disapproval.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019ll just take a look at him, I won\u2019t stay long,\u201d Lian Jun insisted.<\/span><\/p>

In the end, Uncle Long gave in. He took out a medical mask and handed it to Lian Jun, saying, \u201cDon\u2019t get too close. You can\u2019t be careless now. If you get sick and damage your body again, all our previous effort will go to waste.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun let out a confirming hum to show he understood. He took the mask and put it on, then moved the wheelchair to the side of the bed and touched Shi Jin\u2019s fevered face.<\/span><\/p>

Probably because Lian Jun\u2019s fingers felt cool and comfortable, Shi Jin\u2019s frown loosened a little and he instinctively turned his face towards him.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun\u2019s heart felt soft. He leaned down, wanting to kiss him, but forced himself to hold back. With his other hand, he touched Shi Jin\u2019s hand connected to the IV drip and stroked it gently. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t take good care of you\u2026 Please get well soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBamboo rice\u2026\u201d Shi Jin muttered suddenly, smacking his lips.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun blinked, taken aback, then smiled and caressed Shi Jin\u2019s cheek. \u201cAll right, when you\u2019re better, we\u2019ll cook bamboo rice as promised.\u201d<\/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 dreamed again. In the dream, \u2018he\u2019 was lying on the hospital bed, numb and indifferent, while Li Jiuzheng in a white coat stood next to him, motionless. Neither of them spoke. Though obviously alive, they seemed more like two inanimate objects rather than living people.<\/span><\/p>

It was getting dark, but no one turned on the lights. As the darkness of night permeated the hospital room, the sharp scalpel in Li Jiuzheng\u2019s hand felt more and more terrifying.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWill you live through your 19th birthday?\u201d Li Jiuzheng suddenly spoke. His voice was low and hoarse, and weirdly hollow.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThat patient\u2019s family came here again, arguing over the inheritance next to his bed.\u201d Li Jiuzheng played with the scalpel. The steel flashed in his slender, alabaster fingers, beautiful and dangerous. \u201cThey thought my patient was going to die\u2014unfortunately for them, I saved him. They were very disappointed. I liked seeing them disappointed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Finally roused out of his indifference, \u2018he\u2019 looked up at Li Jiuzheng.<\/span><\/p>

Li Jiuzheng also looked at him. His beautiful face was expressionless, but the words coming from his lips were like a demonic incantation: \u201cI will save you, too. I won\u2019t let you die, so don\u2019t ever think of dying.\u201d Even though he said this, his eyes were filled with boundless icy killing intent, and his hand with the scalpel moved close to \u2018him.\u2019<\/span><\/p>

\u201cGood night, Fifth Brother,\u201d \u2018he\u2019 replied in a numb voice, slowly closing his eyes. \u201cSee you in hell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The room sank into silence again. After a while, it was broken by the sound of receding footsteps as the devil finally left.<\/span><\/p>

\u2018He\u2019 loosened his tightly clenched fists, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably. \u2018He\u2019 opened his eyes and looked at the door\u2014he wanted to leave here, get away from this tomb-like place, to live\u2014<\/span><\/p>

Beep\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>

The vital signs monitor let out the long continuous beep, a shrill lament for life slipping away. A piercing, overwhelming pain, that was perhaps the pain of a soul peeling off from the flesh, spread through \u2018his\u2019 whole body.<\/span><\/p>

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

Shi Jin\u2019s eyes snapped open. He stared at Li Jiuzheng, who was sitting next to his bed peeling an apple, for a few seconds. His body reacting before his brain, he sprang forward and snatched the knife from Li Jiuzheng\u2019s hand. Holding it in a reverse grip, he aimed at Li Jiuzheng\u2019s neck beneath and stabbed downward\u2014<\/span><\/p>

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

Suddenly, he heard Xiang Aoting\u2019s shout coming from behind, then a strong hand caught his wrist in a vise-like grip.<\/span><\/p>

The tip of the knife hovered just above Li Jiuzheng\u2019s neck. Shi Jin froze, staring at Li Jiuzheng with wide eyes and breathing hard, <\/span>madness born out of desperation distorting his face.<\/span><\/p>

Li Jiuzheng was pressed under Shi Jin\u2019s body, staring blankly at him. Suddenly, his lips tightened and he reached out to hold Shi Jin\u2019s hand clutching the knife, pulling it down towards his neck.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat are you doing?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shocked, Xiang Aoting hurriedly yanked Shi Jin\u2019s hand up. He hugged him up and moved him away from Li Jiuzheng, then pulled the knife out of his hand and threw it aside. Turning to Li Jiuzheng, he demanded, \u201cXiao Jin has a fever and is confused. Are you confused, too? Get a hold of yourself!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He put Shi Jin on the bed and tucked him in. He touched Shi Jin\u2019s face and made him look in his eyes. \u201cXiao Jin, hey, look at me. Everything\u2019s fine, calm down, you\u2019re safe now, calm down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Reason slowly returned to Shi Jin\u2019s eyes, and he realized that he\u2019d been influenced by the original \u2018Shi Jin\u2019s\u2019 memories and emotions again. As his head throbbed with pain, he raised a hand and pressed it to his forehead. \u201cI want to see Lian Jun. Where\u2019s he? I want to see him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting hurriedly took out his phone and called Lian Jun.<\/span><\/p>

Li Jiuzheng watched Shi Jin\u2019s weak, distressed appearance, and clenched his fists.<\/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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Lian Jun immediately rushed over and hugged Shi Jin to his chest.<\/span><\/p>

Uncle Long was angry and worried but there was no helping it under the circumstances, so he had to settle for making Lian Jun wear a mask.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin started to feel groggy again and soon began nodding off in Lian Jun\u2019s arms. Lian Jun stroked his hair and soothed him until he completely fell asleep, then laid him back in the bed.<\/span><\/p>

After calming Shi Jin, Lian Jun left the infirmary and looked at Li Jiuzheng and Xiang Aoting waiting outside. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou got Shi Jin in this state as soon as you arrived. What did you say to him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting frowned. \u201cNothing. Xiao Jin was asleep and seemed to have a nightmare. He woke up suddenly and\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe was scared of me,\u201d Li Jiuzheng said in a dull voice, interrupting him. Sounding as if he was talking to himself, he continued, \u201cHe\u2019s afraid that I want to kill him, so how could he not be frightened seeing me? After all, at that time when he was injured and couldn\u2019t resist, I forcefully brought him to Rongcheng and almost killed him in the cemetery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cJiuzheng,\u201d Xiang Aoting called him in a deep voice.<\/span><\/p>

Li Jiuzheng looked over at him, his gaze blank and unfocused. \u201cHe remembers the clothes I wore that day, my every action\u2026 Fourth Brother, it\u2019s over for me, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cEnough,\u201d Lian Jun interrupted them, with a glance back at the infirmary door. \u201cI don\u2019t care about your moods or internal dramas\u2014the only thing I care about is that Shi Jin wants to have a reunion dinner with his family. Don\u2019t make him feel disappointed. Gua One, take the guests to their rooms.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Gua One, who\u2019d been silently standing behind the wheelchair, immediately stepped forward and motioned for Xiang Aoting and Li Jiuzheng to go with him.<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting glanced at the door and then at Lian Jun, frowning. He took hold of Li Jiuzheng, who didn\u2019t want to leave, and followed Gua One.<\/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 dragged into a gray and dark-hued dream, in which he lived in Li Jiuzheng\u2019s private hospital. Sometimes he was awake and thinking clearly, sometimes he was disoriented and confused. Drifting in and out of consciousness, all he could smell was medicine and disinfectants, all he could hear was the sound of medical equipment, and when he opened his eyes, all he could see was the white, bleak hospital room.<\/span><\/p>

No one talked to him. Oh, wrong, there was someone\u2014only one person.<\/span><\/p>

Tap, tap, tap<\/span><\/em>\u2026<\/em> The faint sound of expensive leather shoes on the corridor floor reached his ears.<\/span><\/p>

He shuddered and opened his eyes, looking at the door in terror.<\/span><\/p>

The sound of footsteps died away, replaced by the sound of the turning door handle, and a figure in a white coat appeared in the door.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe nurse said that your mental state is very unstable,\u201d the devil said in a monotonous, robot-like voice, approaching the bed. \u201cThis won\u2019t do. You need to rest properly, only then you\u2019ll be able to recover. Shi Jin, you can\u2019t die now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

N-no, it was impossible. The car accident damaged his internal organs\u2014he was slowly dying because they were failing little by little. It would take a miracle to save him now. The only thing he wanted was for everything to finally end\u2014<\/span><\/p>

A cold light flashed as a hand holding a scalpel appeared in front of him.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAre you in pain?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He looked at the blade point right in front of his eyes, cold sweat beading on his forehead.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDo want to be free from pain?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

His lips moved but no sound came from his mouth.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cMay I help you get rid of it?\u201d A face both familiar and unfamiliar appeared in his field of vision, with cold eyes, cold voice. \u201cIt hurts very much, doesn\u2019t it? May I help you get rid of the pain?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He closed his eyes, not wanting to see this expression on this face.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou\u2019re my little brother, I naturally want to help you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

His cheek was touched by cold fingers that didn\u2019t feel like those of a living person. Then, they shifted to another place, stopping on the pulse in his neck.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBut if you\u2019re dead, what should I do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The fingers that smelled like disinfectant left. He opened his eyes again and looked at Li Jiuzheng, who had already straightened, unable to conceal the hatred in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>

Li Jiuzheng also looked at him, meeting his gaze. Abruptly, he smiled, then leaned down, picked up a bottle of medicine, and poured it into the IV bag.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou are my one and only little brother, a gift from God,\u201d Li Jiuzheng said. He watched the medicine slowly dripping through the IV catheter, a satisfied look on his face. \u201cBe good and sleep. You should rest properly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

As the cold liquid poured into his body, the drowsiness crept in. He tried to pry his eyelids open to see Li Jiuzheng\u2019s expression clearly, but the other person\u2019s hand suddenly covered his eyes.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDon\u2019t look at me like that with these eyes,\u201d he heard the devil whisper, with a trace of emotions he couldn\u2019t identify. \u201cOr I won\u2019t be able to stop myself from taking you to hell with me. You\u2019re a gift from God, Xiao Jin. I won\u2019t let you go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Darkness struck\u2014<\/span><\/p>

A faint sound of shuffling mahjong tiles entered his ears, and Shi Jin suddenly struggled awake from the dream. He slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to glance in the direction of the sound.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun sat next to the bed watching over him, and there was a tablet in his hand. Noticing Shi Jin\u2019s movements, he reached out to touch his forehead. \u201cYour fever seems to be gone, but you\u2019ve been sleeping for a long time. Uncle Long said that after you\u2019d woken up, you should get up and move about for a while. Lying in bed for too long is not good for your body.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin closed his eyes and rubbed his head against Lian Jun\u2019s palm.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYour brothers have all arrived. They\u2019re in the kitchen, cooking for the reunion dinner. Do you want to go and see?\u201d Lian Jun asked softly, smoothing the teenager\u2019s brow.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin opened his eyes. He contemplated the scene in his dream, then nodded.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun stood up from the wheelchair, helped Shi Jin get up from the bed, and supported him to the bathroom. After a brief washing up, he continued to lead him outside.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYour legs\u2026\u201d Shi Jin glanced down worriedly.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Lian Jun replied, squeezing his hand. \u201cUncle Long has been giving me new medicine recently and they won\u2019t hurt when I walk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin nodded and squeezed his hand back. In his mind, he poked Xiao Si. \u201cBefore I attacked Li Jiuzheng, I\u2019d dreamt of the original \u2018Shi Jin\u2019s\u2019 last moments. It was terrible\u2026 Dying isn\u2019t pleasant at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

< JinJin\u2026 > Xiao Si uttered, voice brimming with concern.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m okay,\u201d Shi Jin soothed. He was slowly shaking off the gloomy dream. \u201cLike before, I just need to overcome the past. This reunion dinner will be a good opportunity\u2026 Just keep an eye on me, please. If necessary, knock me out or immobilize my body so I won\u2019t do something that cannot be undone.\u201d At the end of his life, the original \u2018Shi Jin\u2019s\u2019 mind was filled with nothing but thoughts of revenge and making his brothers die with him. If Shi Jin got controlled by those emotions, it would probably be a game over.<\/span><\/p>

< Okay, > Xiao Si said in a subdued voice. It was silent for a while, then asked abruptly, < JinJin, did I do something wrong? ><\/span><\/p>

This question was quite vague but Shi Jin understood what the system meant. Glancing at the person walking beside him, he replied, \u201cNo\u2026 Thank you for giving me a chance to meet Lian Jun.\u201d<\/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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By the time he arrived at the kitchen, Shi Jin\u2019s body felt much stronger. Without alerting his brothers to his presence, he stood by the door and watched them bustle around, slowly <\/span>adjusting his thoughts and emotions.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDoes Xiao Jin like ginger?\u201d Shi Weichong asked suddenly. It drew Shi Jin\u2019s attention to him, and he looked carefully at his eldest brother.<\/span><\/p>

Since the last time they saw each other, Shi Weichong became thinner. His forehead, which used to always be wrinkled in a frown, smoothed out, and the atmosphere around him was less severe. When he turned his head to talk to Fei Yujing, his eyes were warm. He seemed much gentler and more approachable than in the past.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Fei Yujing replied. His tone and manner were still those of a cool lawyer, which unintentionally made the scene look a bit comical as he was holding a bunch of vegetables at the moment.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s gaze shifted to him, and the corners of his mouth twitched\u2014Fei Yujing looked as cold and aloof as usual. Oddly, there were not many emotional fluctuations in Shi Jin\u2019s heart. Perhaps it shouldn\u2019t be surprising, though; he felt there was no point wasting emotions on this kind of impartial, indifferent person who only acted according to gains and losses.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cFifth, you\u2019re lying to me again, aren\u2019t you? Does Xiao Jin really like onions?\u201d Rong Zhouzhong\u2019s voice suddenly sounded.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin turned his head, only to see Rong Zhouzhong standing at a small table and cutting onions with a contorted expression, his peach blossom eyes red and tears streaming down his face.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin couldn\u2019t help but chuckle.<\/span><\/p>

What a dunce. Didn\u2019t he know he should cut onions in water or cover his nose? This way of crying is so ugly<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

\u201cThird Brother, stop for a moment and wipe your face first,\u201d Xiang Aoting said with a frown, handing Rong Zhouzhong a tissue.<\/span><\/p>

Rong Zhouzhong took it and wiped his tears, but he accidentally touched his eyes with the onion-stained fingers. Immediately, he let out a howl of pain and started groping around for the kitchen sink to wash his eyes while loudly cursing Li Jiuzheng. Seeing him fumble about like a blind man, Xiang Aoting hurriedly stepped forward to help him, asking him to stop making a ruckus in a helpless voice.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin watched them, smile deepening. His eyes flicked around the kitchen until his gaze happened to meet Li Jiuzheng\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>

Li Jiuzheng had been killing fish. He was holding a knife, and his hands were covered in blood.<\/span><\/p>

In an instant, Shi Jin\u2019s smile froze.<\/span><\/p>

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

Li Jiuzheng dropped the knife and began to frantically wipe his bloody hands on his clothes. He kept glancing up at Shi Jin anxiously, looking as if he wanted to speak but was unable to express himself. Soon, he saw that the front of the orange sweater he wore became completely dirty with blood and stiffened, his movements slowing to a halt.<\/span><\/p>

What the hell. Each one is a bigger idiot than the last<\/span>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin took a deep breath and got his emotions under control. He knocked loudly on the door frame, attracting everyone\u2019s attention, and said with a smile, \u201cGood afternoon, brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Whoever wanted to fall to hell could do that by himself\u2014he was staying right damn here.<\/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

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Translator: Eques<\/em>
Editor: –
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Eques:<\/h4>

This chapter was a real rollercoaster. _(:\u0437)\u2220)_<\/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

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