Illusion - SCI Mystery 谜案集 Fanfiction

Chapter 17

Zhan Yao held his breath and waited.

He heard heavy footsteps scruffing over the dusty ground. The temptation to take a look at the person who just entered the room and thus intruded in his hideout was especially big. But nevertheless, Zhan Yao suppressed the urge - knowing even the slightest movement of his could mean his possible discovery by the unknown figure. So he just stayed quiet with his breath held and waited and waited and waited.

It must have only been minutes that passed but to him it felt like hours. And every time the person turned or took a step he could hear his heart beat louder and louder, until he was irrationally afraid the other might hear it.

Finally, the unknown person left and Zhan Yao let out a shaky breath. Cold sweat dripped down his back and made him shiver. He now wished he didn't drink the whole water bottle until it was empty but left some instead. He suddenly felt parched again.

His numb fingers clenched around the cell phone in his hand and he waited for just one more moment to clam down his breathing again. Getting kidnapped was indeed not one of his favourite activities. Then again - his annoyance about the situation got milded by the imagination of Bai Yutong's reaction once they were reunited again.

Only the thought of what they would probably do - or better yet, what Yutong would do to him - was enough for him to blush until even his ears turned red.

He gulped heavily and reminded himself of his current situation. This was no time for his daydreams about Yutong and their ...activities.

He tried to clear his throat which only resulted in a dry cough and then lifted the phone to his ear again.

"Yutong."

It was only a coarse whisper. He was about to call out again but apparently the man on the other side of the connection had heard him at his first try already.

"Yeah. Are you alright?"

The warm concern in his dark voice made Zhan Yao's stiffened muscles loosen a bit and helped him relax. He sighed.

"Yeah. ...Someone was here just now. I didn't see who it was, though. They're probably running around searching all over the place for me right now."

He scoffed bitterly. Another peek to the display told him Bai Yutong was getting close to where he was.

"How long?"

The question might have been confusing for others but for the both of them it was the only thing they cared about right now.

The question of when they could finally be together again.

So even if Zhan Yao didn't ask, Bai Yutong was about to tell him just now anyway.

"Not long. Just a few minutes. Don't worry, cat. I'll find you in no time."

"Well, I hope so. Otherwise you can prepare to sleep on the sofa for three weeks."

His tone might have been serious but Zhan Yao couldn't help the smile that crept over his face.

He didn't need to wait long for Bai Yutong's expected reaction. He immediately started whining and complaining, completely ignoring and not caring about the fact that all of the SCI team members could hear every single word he said.

"Zhan Yao! You can't do that to me! Come on, we haven't been together in so long so how could you even say that?! Zhan Yao! And even more so, how could you just doubt in my abilities like that? Do you not love me?"

Zhan Yao could feel himself get flustered at the last sentence and blushed. It has always been hard for him to say those three words.

The situation was also not really fitting for a confession of his love towards his mouse right now either. He was hiding from his kidnappers, for god's sake! But instead of panicking like any other person, he was flirting with his boyfriend instead. This situation was just way too weird!

Maybe there really was something wrong with him after all. He should get himself checked at the hospital later. Who knows what kind of drugs they gave him while he was unconscious.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head unbelievingly.

Bai Yutong's voice forced him back out of his thoughts and the sudden change in his tone immediately alarmed Zhan Yao.

"Zhan Yao! Are you sure you are alone right now?"

His breath got stuck in his throat and he felt a cold shiver run down his whole body. His face paled and he could feel his heart beat heavily against his ribs.

Every fiber in his body was tensed up as he carefully listened into the quiet room. He held his breath.

He waited for several minutes but still couldn't hear anything. If it was for any other person he would just say that he might have been mistaken. But this was Bai Yutong. He was known for his extraordinary senses and Intuition.

Despite that, he decided to answer him. He didn't want him to worry. Just to make sure he whispered.

"I'm not sure, I think so. I can't hear anything."

Bai Yutong stayed silent fo a while.

"Be careful anyway. We just arrived in front of the building. Tell me where you are and I'll come get you in no time. Just to make sure, I'll stay connected to you over the call the whole time so don't worry about anything and just wait for me."

Zhan Yao let out a sigh of relief and momentarily closed his eyes.

"Yeah, alright. I don't know the exact location but it should be somewhere underground in the-"

Zhan Yao was interrupted by the ringing of a cell phone. He was so startled,  he let go of the cell phone in his hand and the device hit the ground. The display lit up in what seemed like a silent protest and the light shone on the professor's face. It was even paler than usual and his eyes were wide-open.

He could distantly hear Bai Yutong's voice calling his name in an alarmed tone from the cell phone when the ringing stopped abruptly.

The cell phone that was ringing until just then was not the one he called Bai Yutong with.