Mr. You's fictitious marriage

Chapter 14

You Huo received a plethora of letters, each one filled with genuine concern from their dear friends. Even the esteemed Duchess of Queensbury took pen to paper to express her deepest worry for Qin Jiu. The news had undoubtedly spread like wildfire through aristocratic circles, leaving no stone unturned in its relentless pursuit of gossip and intrigue.

In the wake of such a calamitous turn of events, a backlash from society was inevitable. Word of the temporary closure of the company became widespread, causing a stir among its loyal clientèle. Some, in sheer indignation at the mounting delays, chose to sever their ties with the establishment altogether. Meanwhile, their competitors reveled in this misfortune, clandestinely observing with smug satisfaction from the periphery. The repercussions of this unfortunate incident on the company's reputation were bound to be dire and insurmountable.

As You Huo descended the dilapidated tabby stairs, their worn-out steps yielding under the weight of his sturdy boots, his mind became a blank slate. Qin Jiu, the accused perpetrator of heinous war crimes, was whisked away to the formidable Military Detention Facilities instead of the anticipated confinement in the police station.

The news of this unforeseen turn of events reached You Huo's ears only the following day, further darkening his already despondent mood.

Whispers, like dark tendrils of fear, swept through the air, haunting the thoughts of the prisoners with tales of unspeakable torment and cruelty enacted within these grim walls. Both he and Qin Jiu acknowledged the veracity of those horrid rumors. Yet he remained convinced of Qin Jiu's fortitude and resolve, capable of enduring even the darkest of trials. They were going to liberate him from this accursed place.

In that wretched abode, a place that would make the strongest of souls crumble, You Huo finally caught sight of a familiar figure. After seeing this typical lazy sprawl of his, You Huo released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. He looked fine, despite the obvious lack of sleep.

When You Huo softly called out to him, he promptly opened his eyes and welcomed him with alacrity. "Dear, do you miss me already?" He merrily leapt up from his reclining position and drew nearer in jovial fashion.

The old and rusty prison bars were the only thing separating them. The bars were thick and heavily corroded, with patches of rust breaking out in various places, evoking unpleasant thoughts of tetanus disease. Neglected for years, their decayed state was evident in the fragments that had already crumbled and fallen away.

As feeble as they appeared, these relics of restraint presented an insurmountable barrier, effectively imprisoning Qin Jiu on one side while You Huo was beyond reach on the other.

It was but a mere illusion. You Huo, with unwavering determination, took a bold step forward and seized the lapels of a thick woolen overcoat that he personally bribed the warden into delivering to Qin Jiu. Fueled by an overwhelming sense of urgency and despair that had consumed him throughout the previous tumultuous day, he drew the man closer and kissed him.

Qin Jiu, both surprised and bewildered, stood motionless for an instant, taken aback. Yet the touch of You Huo's hands, which had moved from the folds of Qin Jiu's coat to his face, gently held him in place as the kiss deepened, anchored him, gradually dissipating his initial astonishment. In that fleeting juncture, all the anxieties and trepidations that plagued their thoughts dissipated into oblivion, replaced solely by the fervor and ardor of their embrace. The cruel reality encroached upon them with relentless force as the echoes of approaching footsteps reverberated in the air, serving as a reminder that their stolen moment came to an end.

With a heavy heart, You Huo reluctantly separated from Qin Jiu. "Tomorrow morning," he declared with a somber tone, "I shall leave for the continent."

Qin Jiu, perceptive as ever, seemed to grasp his intention, yet his countenance betrayed a hint of sorrow. Nevertheless, in an instant, his lips curved into a gentle smile: "Very well then, just be careful in your travels."