Illusion - SCI Mystery 谜案集 Fanfiction

Chapter 6

Bai Yutong left the room with bowed head and sunken shoulders.

All alone now, Zhan Yao couldn't force back all of his tears. A single drop ran down his cheek and he angrily wiped it away. He didn't have the right to cry.

Minutes passed without him noticing as he was lost in thoughts while staring at his ring. Surely, Bai Yutong would not come back again.

The door opened but Zhan Yao didn't bother to look up. It was probably only the doctor or the nurse or some guard.

"Zhan Yao."

He looked up and looked at the person questioningly.

"Why are you here?"

"I heard from Xiao Bai that you collapsed. How are you feeling?"

Zhan Yao retracted his hand and hid the ring under the covers but the other person noticed the movement and couldn't help but feel a guilty stab.

"I'm fine. You don't have to worry, Bao Sir. The mission will continue."

Bao Sir frowned and sighed. Momentarily, he closed his eyes and adjusted his old-fashioned glasses.

"You know, if you continue like this, I can't help but consider to cancel the mission. You should take better care of your health. That was one of the conditions."

He reminded Zhan Yao sternly and the younger man bowed his head apologetically.

"I know. I'm sorry, Bao Sir. It won't happen again. By the way, any new information?"

"No, not much for now. But I think they will be making a move soon so you have to be prepared. Don't let your guard down."

"Yes Sir!"

Bao Sir sighed. Now the difficult part would start again.

"Don't you think we should involve Xiao Bai? He is a capable policeman so-"

"No."

Zhan Yao was stubborn. He wouldn't let Bai Yutong get dragged into this mess because of him.

"I don't want him to get involved in this, Bao Sir. I know he is capable and would be of good help. But they are after me. Yutong would try too hard to protect me. I'm afraid he woldn't escape with just a scratch this time. That's why I cant't be close to him right now. Those people will use any means, even if it meant to hurt the people close to me."

His posture stiffened. He reluctantly took out the ring and gave it to Bao Sir.

"Give that to Yutong."

Bao Sir started to get a headache. These two brats are really giving him nothing but trouble. They didn't have to be that stubborn. Stupidly trying to protect the other all on their own. It's not like he couldn't understand their feelings but their uncooperating attitude really got on his nerves.

But there was nothing he could do about it. After all, it was their own business. They had to solve it on their own. He didn't have the right to meddle in their affairs.

"I know. I understand your feelings, Xiao Zhan but I don't want you to destroy your good relationship with Xiao Bai because of that. He changed in the past weeks you were not there. And he looked really down earlier. It's like he gradually is withdrawing inside himself. Not even his brother can get through to him. You have always been the one who can tame that wild brat, so I'm asking you to not be too hard on him."

Outsiders might think that Bao Sir is overstepping his boundaries as the police chief by telling Zhan Yao off like that. But he wasn't just their boss. He and the fathers of the two had always been good friends so he had practically seen them grow up together. He was like their uncle.
Of course he also noticed that there was more than just friendship and friendly rivalry between the two. Well, they didn't exactly hide it anyway.

"That's why I won't give the ring back to him for you. He tried really hard to let you have it."

Zhan Yao dejectedly stared at his ring. He was also unwilling to part with it. But he was afraid to take the risk of keeping it. He couldn't afford to lose Bai Yutong. He was just too important to him.

"I'm going now. You take care of your health from now on or I'm bringing you back."

Zhan Yao nodded in understanding and watched him leave.

When Bao Sir opened the door his old heart almost suffered a heart-attack. Zhan Yao's heart also suffered a huge blow.

Bai Yutong stood in the doorframe and looked straight at the wall. Based on his expression it wasn't difficult to tell that he heard at least bits of the conversation.

His stare shifted to Zhan Yao and finally to Bao Sir.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

"Bao Sir, you can leave first. I still have some things to discuss with Zhan Yao."

He talked politely. But the smile on his face promised nothing good.

"We'll talk later."

He added and made Bao Sir gulp. He might be older and his boss but he was well aware that Bai Yutong was difficult to handle. Especially if he was angry.

He quickly said his farewell to Zhan Yao and internally prayed for him. Yutong would for sure not go easy on him. Then he left.

It was only the two of them left and Zhan Yao cursed at himself inside of his head.
Now he really messed up.

He knew Bai Yutong's temper.

And if the man was this quiet despite being beyond furious it was clearly a bad sign. A very bad sign.

He nervously gulped and waited for Bai Yutong's reaction. Not even daring to look anywhere near him, he fumbled with the ring in his fingers.

Bai Yutong closed the door.

"Now, Professor Zhan, don't you have anything to tell me?"

Professor Zhan. That was a bad sign. Bai Yutong was really very mad.

He tried to relax, cleared his throat and hoped he would sound nonchalant.

"How much did you hear?"

His voice came out as nothing but a pathetic whisper and trembled at the edges. So much for sounding indifferent.

"Well, I don't know. Let's see, maybe everything?"

Zhan Yao thought that maybe he should prepare his last words.