Together with you

Breaking point

The silence at the municipal swimming pool was broken by the powerful strokes, slicing through the water with practised ease. Yunlan swam several laps, enjoying the workout, and then floated on his back, staring at the ceiling, his mind at ease. After several hectic days at work, this week has brought no new cases. Perhaps it was due to the intense heat and record temperatures that forced Dixing criminals to stay low.

Zhao laughed at that ridiculous thought. And then another came. He and his teammates had been complaining about the heat, and Da Qing was constantly spotted by the open fridge drinking cold milk. But there was one person who seemed immune to the scorching sun. Despite harsh weather conditions, there wasn't a day when Professor Shen wouldn't be wearing a pristinely ironed shirt, sleeve garters and sometimes even a vest. Never sweaty nor tired, the man looked as if he'd stepped out of the AC commercial, perfectly beautiful. And currently, not swimming by Yunlan's side.

When Zhao Yunlan had heard from one of his friends that the swimming pool would be closing for renovation and he could get free access to it the night before, he was more than happy, his mind already forming scenarios. He was brought back to Earth when Shen Wei announced that, on that particular evening, he would be decyphering an old manuscript with other professors and couldn't accompany him. He had promised to pick Yunlan up after the workout, worrying that Zhao would walk with undried hair and get sick again.

Realising it was getting late, Yunlan stepped out of the pool, took a quick shower and entered the locker room with a small towel wrapped around his waist. The silence was suddenly disturbed by the sound of footsteps. Yunlan froze, his instincts going on high alert. Wasn't he supposed to be alone in the building? And those footsteps definitely didn't belong to Shen Wei.

He barely had time to react when four men dressed in black stepped into the brightly lit room.

"Really? Now?" Yunlan sighed, adjusting his grip on the towel. "You guys couldn't wait till I had pants on?"

One of the men, a tall one with a scar running down his cheek, took a step forward.

"Guardian Zhao, you're coming with us. And if you resist, we won't hesitate to make things uncomfortable."

Zhao raised his eyebrows and grinned. "Uncomfortable? More than this towel situation? Because, let me tell you. It's already pretty awkward. Besides, I've got other plans."

Without warning, the first assailant lunged at him. Yunlan sidestepped, his free hand delivering a swift punch to the jaw. The towel slipped a bit, and he had to tug it back into place, muttering curses. He kicked a nearby bench towards the next attacker, sending him sprawling. The towel slipped dangerously low, and Yunlan tightened the hold on it. Another man lunged at him, but Zhao ducked, countering with a swift punch to the gut. The guy doubled over, gasping for breath. As the fourth man tried to grab Zhao from behind, the detective twisted free, jumped away, grabbed a shampoo bottle from one of the benches and hurled it at him. The bottle hit its mark, splattering the shampoo all over the assailant's face. The man yelped, temporarily blinded.

Yunlan swore, backing up against the lockers, one hand holding the towel, the other fending off attacks.

"Seriously, guys. Do you mind?" he grumbled, blocking another kick with his elbow. "I'm trying to keep my modesty here."

Just as the scar-faced charged at him with a knife, Yunlan found himself cornered. He raised his arm to block the attack, knowing his towel was seconds away from slipping entirely. A flash of panic crossed his mind, not from fear of the blade but from the impending wardrobe malfunction.

A powerful gust of dark energy swept through the changing room, knocking attackers off their feet. Yunlan looked up to see Shen Wei standing at the entrance, his eyes blazing with fury.