{"id":8553,"date":"2019-08-26T11:00:48","date_gmt":"2019-08-26T15:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=8553"},"modified":"2025-09-08T18:21:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T22:21:30","slug":"dpb50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/dpb50\/","title":{"rendered":"Death Progress Bar 50"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\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
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A Simple Question<\/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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This fucking asshole.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

The despicable way Zuo Yang tried to strike what he considered Lian Jun\u2019s vulnerability pissed Shi Jin off. He couldn\u2019t help but taunt, \u201cAre you jealous?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

His words were clearly enunciated and delivered with great verve, and they immediately attracted attention. Some people were already surreptitiously paying attention to their group. After Shi Jin\u2019s question, they stared openly, not wanting to miss the fun.<\/span><\/p>

The malicious smile on Zuo Yang\u2019s face froze then was replaced by a frown. \u201cWhat did you say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Pointedly wearing the same <\/span>\u2018oh, so it\u2019s like this, I knew it\u2019<\/span><\/i> expression Zuo Yang sported earlier, Shi Jin said loudly, \u201cI said, you\u2019re jealous of me\u2014of my youth, of me being able to stay by Jun-shao\u2019s side. Do you have a crush on Jun-shao? If not, why do you act like a spoiled little princess wanting to attract the attention of the boy she likes? You\u2019re harassing him every day, deliberately being ambiguous. You say he\u2019s pretty, you seem way too much interested in the people who liked him in the past, and now you\u2019re trying to make him drive me away. This isn\u2019t normal, you know. You even had to anchor your ship next to ours, and so close\u2014I dare you to say this isn\u2019t because you want Jun-shao to notice you. You say young people\u2019s love is scary, but I think an old geezer trying to rob the cradle is much more disgusting. Stop strutting around trying to show off to Jun-shao, you\u2019re annoying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Everyone was struck dumb at his impeccable (if a bit askew) logic. Even Gua One and the other members of Annihilation turned to gape at Shi Jin, as if he suddenly grew another head.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun was about to pull Shi Jin behind him, but seeing the teenager not only didn\u2019t suffer but even bit back, he withdrew his raised hand. Playing along, he said to Zuo Yang, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I never noticed your feelings. If I knew, yesterday I would\u2019ve aimed somewhere else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Gua One and others: \u201c……\u201d <\/span>Jun-shao, you’ve changed. You would\u2019ve never said this before.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

\u201cPff.\u201d Lu Shan, watching the excitement from the side, suddenly laughed out loud and deliberately clapped a few times. \u201cWhat a great show! It turns out Nine Eagles was trying so hard to expand because its boss\u2019s chasing the most unattainable person in the underworld. Zuo Yang, as your elder, let me advise you: for the sake of your important bits, abandon this unrealistic idea\u2014and anyway, \u2018empress of the underworld\u2019 dramas went out of style years ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The expressions of all the other underworld bosses watching became strange.<\/span><\/p>

After yesterday\u2019s meeting, Zuo Yang had been officially interviewed because of the whole \u201cemperor of the underworld\u201d thing. Today, Lu Shan said he was playing \u201cempress of the underworld,\u201d implying Lian Jun was the emperor, and Zuo Yang wanted to become his \u201cempress\u201d but wasn\u2019t qualified to even dream of the position.<\/span><\/p>

As expected of the leader of one of the oldest underworld organizations\u2014her taunting skills were truly first-class.<\/span><\/p>

Any other time, her words would make the other leaders uncomfortable. The people of the underworld were, after all, proud and unfettered, and as such didn\u2019t like the talk of \u201cemperors\u201d emerging in their midst, especially when referring to Lian Jun. That said, after the news about Pegasus, they were so happy to see Zuo Yang suffer they ignored the minor annoyance.<\/span><\/p>

So, though no one else spoke, the air on the deck was gleeful.<\/span><\/p>

Zuo Yang\u2019s face turned ugly as soon as Shi Jin began to speak, then Lian Jun and Lu Shan joined in on the onslaught. When they \u201csuddenly realized\u201d he \u201cliked Lian Jun,\u201d he was so livid he itched to take out his gun and start shooting at the crowd.<\/span><\/p>

However, he managed to endure\u2014this was the government ship, he couldn\u2019t begin a random massacre. Suddenly, he felt oddly calm despite being extremely angry. He looked around, pausing on Shi Jin to sneer, then took something out of his inner pocket. He threw it in Lian Jun\u2019s direction, saying in cold voice, \u201cLuckily for you, I\u2019m willing to overlook your nonsense. Take a good look at what\u2019s inside, and we\u2019ll see how long it takes for you to grovel before me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The thing thrown was small, white, and looked somewhat dazzling in the strong midday sunlight.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin, who stood in front of Lian Jun\u2019s wheelchair, grabbed it in the air. It was a rectangular cardboard box, not much bigger than a matchbox, and he inquisitively turned it in his hands. Since the progress bar didn\u2019t rise, he determined it should be safe and handed it to Lian Jun.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun took it but didn\u2019t intend to open it in public. \u201cGo back,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>

So Shi Jin pushed his wheelchair and headed for their quarters under the curious gazes of everyone on deck.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two endured until they arrived in a more deserted part of the ship then turned to Shi Jin and said, \u201cYoungster, your mouth is simply a lethal weapon. I really thought we would have to fight Nine Eagles then and there\u2014how the hell did you come up with all that trash-talk? You actually said Zuo Yang has a crush on Jun-shao\u2026 <\/span>Cough<\/span><\/i>, absolutely brilliant. The bastard has probably never been so mad in his life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin acted humble, flattering the other perpetrator instead, \u201cNo, no, it\u2019s all thanks to Jun-shao\u2019s guidance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

A quiet <\/span>\u201cHmm\u201d<\/span><\/i> came from the direction of the wheelchair.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s heart trembled at this quiet sound, and he immediately changed his reply: \u201cIn fact, I hadn\u2019t planned to say all that, I just wanted to piss Zuo Yang off and see if he could be provoked into moving his ship away. I can\u2019t help but think he stopped next to ours because he\u2019s plotting something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

This wasn\u2019t him jumping at shadows. He used the time while Lian Jun attended the morning meeting to study the data Xiao Si gave him. The results would\u2019ve shocked him if he hadn\u2019t already suspected something similar: though Nine Eagles\u2019 ship looked like a civilian vessel, it was just on the surface\u2014it was so heavily modified it was practically a warship.<\/span><\/p>

The situation was too wrong. So, when Zuo Yang took cheap shots at Lian Jun, he couldn\u2019t stop himself from trying to provoke the man.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two didn\u2019t expect to hear such an explanation. He couldn\u2019t help but poke Shi Jin\u2019s forehead, muttering, \u201cHuh, how come you suddenly don\u2019t look as silly as usual? You\u2019re quite sharp.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin slapped his hand away, contemptuously rolling his eyes.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cStop, stop, don\u2019t bully me, watch where you\u2019re going,\u201d Gua Two surrendered with a laugh. Since neither Lian Jun nor Gua One objected to the current topic, he continued lightly, \u201cDon\u2019t worry about Nine Eagles\u2019 ship being too close, Gua Five is keeping an eye on it. And our ship is not too bad\u2014even if Zuo Yang is scheming something, he won\u2019t necessarily succeed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin immediately caught the underlying meaning and asked, surprised, “Our ship is modified?” He\u2019d lived there for a few days, after all, but never noticed anything out of the ordinary.<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two only smirked\u2014the answer to this question was self-evident.<\/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 returning to their quarters, Lian Jun put the white box on the table.<\/span><\/p>

Gua One cautiously took off the lid, peered inside, and frowned. He found a clean plastic box in a cabinet and poured out the contents.<\/span><\/p>

Patter<\/span><\/i>, ten bloodstained human nails fell into the box. The scene was creepy and sickening and made their skin crawl.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin had never seen anything like it and looked away, face scrunched. He swallowed, then forced himself to look into the box again. \u201cAre these\u2026 Long Shi\u2019s nails?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cMost likely.\u201d Lian Jun reached out and put the cover on the box, saying to Gua Two, \u201cTake it back to our ship and let Uncle\u2026 Let Gua Five find someone to check if they\u2019re Long Shi\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two nodded. \u201cDo you want me to hide this from Uncle Long?\u201d He asked.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun thought about it and shook his head. \u201cNo, he has the right to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Gua Two nodded again and picked up the plastic box.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin hastily grabbed the empty cardboard one. \u201cI\u2019m going to burn this, it\u2019s disgusting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The cardboard box was no longer of any use, so no one was going to stop him. Lian Jun even said thoughtfully, “If you don’t like it, you can let Gua One handle it.”<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo, it\u2019s fine,\u201d the teenager shook his head. He borrowed a cigarette lighter from Gua Two then went straight to the trash can, squatted, and struck the lighter.<\/span><\/p>

Everyone simply thought he was nauseated by the nails and wanted to get rid of it quickly and stopped paying attention to him. Shi Jin pretended to be clumsy and dropped the box into the trash can then put his hand inside to fish it out. He put out the small fire before it did anything more than singe the box and, forcing himself to overcome revulsion, touched the still damp blood staining the inside. \u201cCan you use this as a medium?\u201d He asked in his mind.<\/span><\/p>

<I think so. I\u2019ll give it a try,> Xiao Si said. Shi Jin felt his finger become numb, and the blood on his fingertip disappeared.<\/span><\/p>

He shuddered at the impression that Long Shi\u2019s blood was in his body.<\/span><\/p>

Then, he finally burned the box. He dropped the lighter on the table, rushed into the bathroom, and meticulously washed his hands over and over again until he didn\u2019t feel sick anymore.<\/span><\/p>

He came out of the bathroom and sat next to Lian Jun, who touched his reddened hands and frowned. \u201cSince you hate it this much, why did you have to touch it? You could\u2019ve just left it there, it\u2019s not as if I minded it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo, it was best to deal with it right away, just in case,\u201d Shi Jin answered, trying not to look shifty, and promptly changed the topic: \u201cWhat are we going to do? Zuo Yang just proved Long Shi is in his hands. How will we respond?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWe\u2019ll keep ignoring him,\u201d Lian Jun said. \u201cIf we don\u2019t do anything, it\u2019s highly likely that next time, Zuo Yang won\u2019t be able to resist bringing Long Shi out to show me. It\u2019ll give us the opportunity to grab him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin nodded to show his understanding, a little reassured.<\/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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At the afternoon meeting, Zuo Yang kept glancing at Lian Jun with a <\/span>\u201ccome and beg me, c\u2019mon, why aren\u2019t you begging me yet\u201d<\/span><\/i> expression. The faces of the other leaders present in the conference room kept twitching. At some point, they even began to wonder if Zuo Yang really did have designs on Lian Jun.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun was concentrated on the meeting and ignored Zuo Yang\u2019s eye signals. With a few precise sentences, he picked out several \u201cpawn\u201d organizations Nine Eagles was secretly cultivating from the long list of illegal criminal organizations and gave reasons why they should be targets of the government\u2019s suppression the coming year.<\/span><\/p>

Zuo Yang\u2019s attention gradually shifted to that, and his expression slowly turned ugly. Finally, when Lian Jun pointed out his sixth pawn, he cursed under his breath, picked up the documents he\u2019d pushed aside, and began to think of a way to keep the rest.<\/span><\/p>

This afternoon, Nine Eagles suffered heavy losses. The other underworld bosses found some clues from Lian Jun and Zuo Yang\u2019s occasional exchanges. They paid closer attention to the organizations mentioned and discovered all of them were \u201cbedbugs\u201d similar to Pegasus. The looks they sent Zuo Yang became more and more unfriendly.<\/span><\/p>

Everyone could see it\u2014most of the illegal organizations vetoed by Lian Jun should have a connection with Nine Eagles. Sure enough, Zuo Yang really had a burning ambition to become emperor of the underworld!<\/span><\/p>

After the meeting, Zuo Yang glared at Lian Jun for a long time before leaving the government ship. Lian Jun, of course, continued to ignore him, refusing to acknowledge him with even a short glance.<\/span><\/p>

The other leaders caught all this, and two feelings wrestled in their chests. They were happy to see Nine Eagles\u2019 leader having a bad time, but at the same time, they felt strange. Why? Because, from a certain point of view, Zuo Yang really was acting like he was in love with Lian Jun and hated him because his love was unrequited…<\/span><\/p>

After dinner, Xiao Si\u2019s attempt to locate Long Shi bore results. He was indeed on the Nine Eagles’ ship, but in a very unexpected place: confined in Zuo Yang\u2019s quarters.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin marked Long Shi\u2019s position on the scan of Nine Eagles\u2019 ship Xiao Si made earlier. His brows furrowed. \u201cAre you sure that\u2019s Zuo Yang\u2019s cabin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

<There\u2019s only one cabin of that size and with this high level of security\u2014it must belong to Nine Eagles\u2019 leader,> Xiao Si replied, confident in the results.<\/span><\/p>

Frustrated, Shi Jin collapsed on the bed. \u201cThat\u2019s it, we\u2019re done\u2014the plan to sneak in and snatch Long Shi is definitely not going to work. It\u2019s impossible even with your buffs. Zuo Yang\u2019s cabin is too deep in, I\u2019d never get that far.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xiao Si seized the opportunity to interject, <\/span><I don\u2019t recommend you sneak in anyway, it\u2019s too dangerous. Darling would never agree.><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI know it\u2019s dangerous, but I just can\u2019t help thinking\u2026\u201d Shi Jin looked at the ceiling, staring as if in a trance. After a long time, he exhaled and threw his forearm over his eyes. \u201cNo, I can\u2019t. Being concerned is fine, but I shouldn\u2019t lose my head. Let\u2019s see what Zuo Yang will do first\u2014Lian Jun said he wouldn\u2019t be able to endure and will bring Long Shi out to parade him before us. We just need a little patience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xiao Si hurriedly chimed in, fully endorsing what he said, and urged him to abandon the risky plan.<\/span><\/p>

Unexpectedly, when it was almost time to sleep, Lian Jun knocked on his door.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin had just finished his shower. He opened the door and asked, surprised, \u201cJun-shao? Did something happen?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun glanced at his still dripping hair and motioned him inside. \u201cTomorrow is the last day of the conference. We made a bet, remember? I came to ask about your answer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was taken aback. \u201cIs the bet still valid? I mean, Old Ghost came out with everything on his own. I thought it was long expired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cOf course it\u2019s valid.\u201d Lian Jun closed the door then slid into the bathroom to take the hairdryer. He plugged it into the socket at the head of the bed and beckoned to Shi Jin, who stood in the middle of the cabin like a fool, \u201cCome here and sit. You should quickly dry your hair after a bath, or you\u2019ll catch a cold. It\u2019s best to be careful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

“Isn’t that what I told you on the island?” Shi Jin wanted to laugh. He obediently sat down and reached out, hand open: \u201cLet me do it myself, you\u2019ll get your hands wet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun eyed him silently. He moved his wheelchair closer, put one hand on the teenager\u2019s shoulder, and pulled him forward, switching the hairdryer on with the other. It was quite obvious he didn\u2019t agree.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin let himself be pulled and felt the hand on his shoulder move to the top of his head then gently push it down. He knew he wouldn\u2019t be able to dissuade Lian Jun, so he conceded: \u201cAll right, all right. I blow-dried your hair once, you\u2019re going to blow-dry my hair now, so we\u2019re even.\u201d He bowed his head lower, to make it more convenient to dry.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWe\u2019re not.\u201d Lian Jun pushed his hand in his hair, gently massaging his scalp with the tips of his fingers. Moving the hairdryer, he asked, \u201cSo what\u2019s your answer?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

What a simple question.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

Shi Jin set his hands on his knees. Because his head was lowered, he could only see Lian Jun\u2019s jaw and neck. Unconsciously, his eyes became glued to them. <\/span>\u201cMy guess is, the reason Phantom arrived at the meeting place earlier than usual this year was to observe us, find a chance to talk to us and ask us for help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun\u2019s fingertips brushed his ear. \u201cYou\u2019re only half-right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHuh? Only half?\u201d Shi Jin couldn\u2019t help but look up.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun wasn\u2019t prepared for that, and the hand he held on the side of the teenager\u2019s head slipped and landed on his face. His other hand hurriedly pulled the hairdryer away to avoid hitting him.<\/span><\/p>

They stared at each other. Lian Jun hadn\u2019t managed to hide the warmth in his eyes in time, and Shi Jin was stunned again.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDon\u2019t move.\u201d Lian Jun took advantage of the situation to pinch Shi Jin\u2019s face and pushed his head down again. \u201cPhantom came early not only to observe us but also to observe the authorities. The same with their purpose: Old Ghost not only wanted to ask us for help but was hoping to get a connection with the officials through us. Strictly speaking, even asking for help was secondary\u2014what he really wanted was to use us to convey his determination to leave the underworld and get the government\u2019s support. However, he\u2019s doomed to not get it. The officials won’t allow a second Annihilation because it\u2019s not easy to control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s head was pushed a little further this time and almost bumped Lian Jun’s arms. His eyes fell on Lian Jun’s legs, outlined by the robe. He remembered how they felt when he massaged them and couldn\u2019t help but reach out and knead them gently, replying, \u201cIt seems my answer is really only half-right, not comprehensive enough. Since this is the case, how should we decide the bet\u2019s results?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun\u2019s movements paused for a second, but he quickly continued moving the hairdryer, ignoring Shi Jin\u2019s unruly hands. The ear peeking from the messy hair drew his attention, and he couldn\u2019t resist leaning closer. \u201cLet\u2019s make it a draw, and change the stakes: we will both fulfill the other\u2019s one request. What do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

His warm breath caressed Shi Jin\u2019s ear, utterly different from the hairdryer\u2019s hot air. Somehow, it felt intimate.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin instinctively shivered, feeling goosebumps all over, and couldn\u2019t help but turn his head. \u201cThis is fine. So, the bet is settled?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun leaned sideways in just the right moment for Shi Jin to end up in his arms, the teenager\u2019s cheek against his chest.<\/span><\/p>

It was close enough for Shi Jin to hear the other man\u2019s heartbeat. He was a little dazed.<\/span><\/p>

As if everything was normal, Lian Jun lowered the hairdryer and, without changing his position, touched Shi Jin\u2019s hair. \u201cAll right, it\u2019s dry,\u201d he said. Then, he moved the \u201cgroping hand\u201d on his knees away and backed up his wheelchair.<\/span><\/p>

Maintaining his leaning posture, Shi Jin looked up at him.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s getting late, you should go to sleep.\u201d Lian Jun didn\u2019t stay much longer. He set the hairdryer on the table and left. It seemed he really came over just to talk about the bet.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin watched him in a daze until the sound of the closing door woke him up. He rubbed his face and ear which had stuck to Lian Jun\u2019s chest, took a look at the hairdryer, and said, confused, \u201cWhy do I feel that Lian Jun was a little weird just now\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Delighted, Xiao Si promptly asked, <Strange how?><\/span><\/p>

\u201cSomehow, I feel\u2026\u201d Shi Jin unconsciously moved the hand which kneaded Lian Jun\u2019s legs a moment ago and shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026 Oh, forget it, let\u2019s sleep, it\u2019s already late.\u201d And he simply got in bed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.<\/span><\/p>

Xiao Si nearly crashed. It hated it didn\u2019t have a physical body so it could drag him out of bed and force him to keep thinking.<\/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 breakfast time the next day, the results of the fingernail identification arrived\u2014they were indeed Long Shi’s nails. The person who brought them was Uncle Long, who now sported dark circles under his eyes.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun\u2019s forehead wrinkled in a slight frown. \u201cUncle Long, you didn\u2019t have to get involved in this, I\u2019d understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The doctor looked haggard, but his voice was resolute. \u201cIt was me who taught him\u2014I\u2019m also guilty. Jun-shao, you were kind and didn\u2019t hold me accountable, but it doesn\u2019t mean I can keep running away from this. We were father and son for more than twenty years. Now, it\u2019s time to sever our relationship.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Since this was his attitude, Lian Jun persuaded him no more and acquiesced to his presence.<\/span><\/p>

When the morning meeting began, Uncle Long didn\u2019t listen to Gua One\u2019s suggestion to take a rest in the cabin but instead accompanied Shi Jin on deck. He watched Zuo Yang, sitting opposite Lian Jun, with a complicated expression on his face. It was hard to tell what he was thinking.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin wanted to comfort him but didn’t know what to say, and looked visibly tangled.<\/span><\/p>

Probably noticing his expression, Uncle Long suddenly broke the silence: \u201cI picked Long Shi up in a moment of sympathy. His father was a drug dealer, and his mother an alcoholic\u2014they weren\u2019t good people and died early. I was afraid Long Shi would follow in their footsteps, so I’ve been very strict with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin turned to him, listening in silence.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHe was a withdrawn, unsociable child. The previous leader advised me to send him to an orphanage belonging to Annihilation and let him grow up with the other children, but I was afraid he would be bullied and refused. Now that I think about it, his suggestion was correct\u2014growing up without interacting with their peers really isn\u2019t good for children\u2019s development.\u201d Uncle Long sighed, raised his hand, and pinched the bridge of his nose. \u201cMaybe I was too strict with him. That’s why, when he first met Jun-shao, he got those ideas\u2026 I\u2019m sorry, Shi Jin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin asked, confused, \u201cWhy are you apologizing to me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Uncle Long lowered his hand and glanced towards the conference room, where Lian Jun observed the other leaders as they argued. He said, his voice dropping to almost a whisper, \u201cBecause if I never gave Long Shi the chance to get close to Jun-shao, Jun-shao would\u2019ve never become like this. He used to be very gentle and often smiled. If the Jun-shao you met was still the Jun-shao of that year, you would\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Gentle Lian Jun, who often smiled?<\/span><\/i><\/p>

The picture of Lian Jun helping him dry his hair last night flashed through Shi Jin\u2019s mind, and the hum of the hairdryer seemed to echo in his ears again. He couldn\u2019t help but raise his hands to rub them, asking, \u201cI would what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Uncle Long glanced at him and wanted to say something, but swallowed his words. He said instead, \u201cYou would be smarter.\u201d <\/span>You wouldn\u2019t be stupid for so long, blind to the feelings Jun-shao has for you.<\/span><\/i><\/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: Eques<\/em>
Editor: Bet<\/em><\/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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Eques:
<\/strong>I wondered how come Long Shi’s blood on the nails was still wet after the long meeting, then I thought Zuo Yang probably got the box from his subordinate after the meeting. I didn’t notice this issue at all when I read DPB for the first time. \ud83d\ude05<\/p>

Bet:
<\/strong>Did you see my cameo? squeeeeeeeeeeee
<\/em>(\ud83d\ude11 It wasn’t your cameo! <\/em>– Eques)<\/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<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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