Are You Addicted? (Volume 3). The Post-Honeymoon Phase.(18+)

Episode 76

For the past twenty-four hours Bai Luo Yin practically fractured, cracked, and splintered every wall possible in an attempt to get through to general Gu's stony heart. Attempting to persuade him to let him off the hook on this one, to not force him to get the new rank he lost interest in; to not force him to attend a three months period of training, in a base so isolated that he won't be able to even pick up the phone and call home when he felt the need to. To not force him to be away from Gu Hai when he couldn't stand the thought of doing so.

However, unfortunately for him, every one of his persuasions attempts failed miserably. The cold response from general Gu came back exactly the same every single time.

"Lieutenant colonel Bai, this is not personal. My decision to promote you, and send you to the training camp has nothing to do with your personal life. It comes from appreciation of your rare talent and ability. You should be grateful for it. I won't change my mind just because you are friends with my son. You are a solider, not a wuss. Don't let your emotions control you. Respect the uniform you are wearing. Do not ask me for an exemption again. If you will, you will be wasting your time."

And so, late in the evening, before any of the stars had yet to sparkle the night. Two couples found themselves preparing for the same event in a very different manner.

"Hon, this is too much. If you will keep stuffing the suitcases, I will end up taking three instead of two. It will be too much for me to carry; I only have two hands you know...." Liu hurried to fish out a few pairs of underwear from the two massive suitcases that laid open on the floor. "Also," he pointed at the suitcase to the left. "I don't think we will be able to zip this one."

"It's fine, its fine." Yang Meng snatched the pairs of underwear from his hands, and shoved them back in the suitcase between the piles of singlets. "If we will both sit on it, it will zip up, you will see."

Since the moment Yang Meng received the news of Liu's promotion, and the one-month remote training base he will be taken to. He dragged Liu around town between one mall to another, buying him new undergarments, books, massager, snacks, hair brushes, care-products; everything he thought might make Liu's stay at the remote base easier, and more comfortable. He even dragged Liu to multiple photo booths. He gathered the collection of their tiny photos, and stowed them in a little pouch inside the hand luggage.

Since the moment he received the news, he didn't close an eye. He packed, and packed, and packed. So Liu would feel as close to home as possible, even when physically, he will be substantially faraway.

He stuffed the bags and suitcases until he felt like he left no chance in the world for Liu to be wreathed with nothing but total encouraging support, and happiness.

He bounced his bottom on the suitcase a couple of times. "You see?" he grinned at Liu with a sense of victory. "I told you it will zip up! Nobody can say no to me...hehe."

"Tell me about it," Liu shook his head as a cordial smile slipped along his lips. Much like the suitcases; he caved in to Yang Meng, and followed him around for more errands until the other beamed with wife-like satisfaction.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the neighborhood; two guys dipped their bodies in the hot clear water of their elliptic bath.

Gu Hai peeped up from between the soap bubbles, sneaking another glance at the cheerless Bai Luo Yin as he scrubbed that said boy's lengthy legs clean. For the past twenty-four hours, Bai Luo Yin walked around with the face of someone who was about to be slaughtered. When Gu Hai asked him about it multiple times, he replied with a forced smile, and changed the subject.

Gu Hai's patience reached its end. He gave that boy too much time as it was, and he still chose to not share his troubles with him.

Time's up!