Everyone Hates My Frail Body.

Chapter 33: Frail Body

Chapter 33: Frail Body

The rain eased slightly, turning from a relentless downpour to a gentle drizzle.

Shouts echoed from a distance, their urgency punctuated by the beam of a flashlight sweeping through the trees.

Unbeknownst to those searching, two figures remained concealed behind a sturdy, towering tree, its broad trunk offering them a momentary sanctuary amidst the dense foliage. Yet, the sound of their pursuers grew closer, and it was only a matter of time before they were discovered.

In the dim light, Lu Beihuai felt Song Qie nestled tightly against him, trembling with the chill that had seeped into his bones. He held Song Qie’s mouth shut firmly, instinctively protecting him from any sound that might betray their presence. Lowering his head, he pressed his slightly cold cheek against Song Qie's skin, sharing warmth in their cramped space.

“Send a message now to tell them that we’re back. Don’t let them come over,” Lu Beihuai urged, his voice low and urgent.

“I don’t want to go back,” Song Qie replied softly, his resolve wavering. “And I don’t want you to go back either.”

“Is it okay, Song Qie? I want to stay here with you for a while.”

As he spoke, Lu Beihuai reached into Song Qie’s pocket, his fingers brushing against the fabric as he retrieved the cell phone. He took Song Qie’s hand, placing it on the screen, his movements careful as he wiped away the raindrops obscuring it, urging him to enter the password to unlock the device.

Song Qie's fingertips trembled slightly at the sudden closeness, leaving him with no opportunity to refuse. Reluctantly, he unlocked his phone and followed Lu Beihuai’s instructions, typing a message to the F3 group to inform them they had returned and instructing them to head back to the house.

About a minute after sending the message, the voices that had been searching for them began to fade, the searchers announcing, “They’ve gone back. Let’s go.”

Until the sounds of footsteps and voices completely faded away into the distance.

The rain continued to fall, partially shielded by the umbrella and the tree overhead, yet the cool droplets seeped through, chilling the damp fabric of their clothes against their skin.

Song Qie shivered slightly, discomfort rippling through him as he felt the weight of his wet clothes clinging to his body. He was tightly restrained by Lu Beihuai's arms, his mouth covered to muffle any sound. With his wrists the only parts of his body free, he was left with no room to move.

He pushed against Lu Beihuai's grip, trying to speak: “...Hmm.”

Suddenly, he felt Lu Beihuai shift, guiding him to sit beneath the tree, where he found himself perched on the man's lap, wide-eyed and taken aback.

…No way, it’s raining! Why are you sitting here, brother???

It felt absurd.

Lu Beihuai settled against the trunk of the tree, unconcerned with whether the ground beneath them was dirty. He held Song Qie on his lap, determined to keep him off the muddy ground. Releasing his grip on Song Qie's mouth, he hooked his arm over the umbrella handle, still sheltering them from the rain.

In this position, he enveloped Song Qie with his strong arms, holding his trembling body close. Burying his face into the cool, slender shoulder and neck, he sought solace, as if trying to merge their bodies.

Tick. Tick.

Raindrops dripped from the edge of the umbrella, some landing on Song Qie's ankle. He flinched at the cold touch, only to feel Lu Beihuai's large hand grasp his ankle gently, pulling it beneath the umbrella to keep it dry.