Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 33

The bathroom door was unexpectedly pushed open. Startled, Ling Xiao’s hand quickly sprang away from the mirror. Turning to see the unexpected intruder, the two met eyes for the first time since waking up. This moment seemed to last for countless ages.

Not only did the opening of the door let in the flowing air, but it also brought with it Ling Xiao’s lost memories, which surged into his mind with the appearance of the man before him. Those forgotten scenes—intense, explicit, and desperate—jostled and rushed from his dormant memories, overwhelming him.

An eerie silence claimed the room. The atmosphere seemed to solidify into a ‘Do Not Enter’ sign at the door, and even dust seemed unable to penetrate.

The two silently exchanged glances for a long while. Only after Ying Feng gave him a quick up and down did Ling Xiao realize he was in disarray, even lacking a top.

“Why did you come in without knocking?” he blurted.

Ying Feng’s response was to step forward and close the door. The room was small to begin with, and with the door shut, it felt even more cramped. The distance between them was now close enough to touch.

Suppressing the urge to step back, Ling Xiao wanted to grab a piece of clothing or even a towel to wrap around himself, but he didn’t want to appear embarrassed in front of the other.

“We’re short on time, so I’ll only say this once,” Ying Feng began, indifferent to Ling Xiao’s state. “If the military finds out we deliberately entered that lab, your actions will be seen as intentional theft. Such a statement would be detrimental to you.”

“So, no matter how they question you, insist you accidentally wandered in or wait for my arrival before answering. As long as I’m not present, you have the right to remain silent at any time.”

“We’ll figure out the rest. Just remember what I’ve said.”

Having relayed this calmly and without a hint of unnecessary concern—like a lawyer instructing his client—he finally paused.

“Get ready soon,” he said, turning to leave.

“Do you blame me?” Ling Xiao’s voice suddenly came from behind.

Ying Feng’s grip on the doorknob tightened. “What’s the use of saying that now?”

He turned his head slightly, his voice still cold. “Regardless, if you hadn’t acted as you did, both our souls would have been utterly obliterated. So, in that respect, I should thank you.”

As Ying Feng left, the real world seemed to be shut out with him. Ling Xiao felt that as long as he didn’t leave this place, the things he didn’t want to face would never come.

Unfortunately, the inevitable couldn’t be avoided. After getting himself together, a short man in military uniform was waiting outside his door, accompanied by two officers.

“Are you ready to come with us?” It was phrased as a question, but there was no room for refusal.

Ling Xiao had expected this. He glanced around and saw Ying Feng and the principal on the other side of the corridor, both looking ambiguously in his direction.

Noticing his gaze, the principal nodded reassuringly, signaling him to go with them without worry. That’s when Ling Xiao realized what “we” Ying Feng was referring to.

Without any acknowledgement from Ying Feng, Ling Xiao quietly averted his gaze, whispering to the man in front, “Let’s go.”

They walked in the opposite direction of Ying Feng. Those behind silently watched the departing figures. As Fu Yao walked, he turned his head and, with a smile, mouthed to Ying Feng, “I’ll wait for you.”

Only when their figures disappeared around the corner did the principal turn to Ying Feng and say, “Let’s go as well.”

The military and school aircraft departed from the medical station one after the other, heading towards the same destination.

Upon arriving at the detention center, Fu Yao personally escorted Ling Xiao to his cell.

“You seem quite stable, more so than most Qizi. Probably because of the lingering aura of that young man. However, it’s uncertain how long you can maintain this state. I hope your time here won’t be too unbearable.”

Signaling the guard, the cell door slowly closed in front of Ling Xiao. The two men left, leaving him surrounded by an eerie silence and the chill of a cold window.

Dazed, Ling Xiao sat on the bed’s edge. Before long, his right hand began to shake uncontrollably. He immediately gripped his wrist with his left hand, but soon the left started shaking violently too. Gradually, the tremors spread throughout his body, forcing him to curl up in an attempt to fend off the sudden agony.

When Ling Xiao was enduring mental torture alone, Ying Feng and the principal were negotiating outside.

“We would like to apply for bail pending trial.”

“Name?”

“Ling Xiao.”

The prison staff checked. “The one just brought in? But he has only been in for less than ten minutes.”

“He just had his coming-of-age ceremony today, as a Qizi. For him, ten minutes already feels like a long time.”

“Coming-of-age ceremony? Today? With whom?”

“With me.” Ying Feng, who had been standing behind, took a step forward.

The warden looked up into his eyes. “Congratulations.”

“We had our coming-of-age ceremony less than 24 hours ago. According to regulations, for 72 hours after the ceremony, the Qizi must be with their Qizhu or under medical supervision. Afterward, a Qizi not rated high-risk must not be forcibly separated from their Qizhu for ten days. Here’s his medical report.”

Since Fu Yao had given that information, Ying Feng and the principal had been quickly researching relevant legal provisions. By now, Ying Feng had committed all relevant clauses to memory.

The warden reviewed the medical report and found no issues.

“What you’re talking about is medical regulations, but he has violated the law now.”

“Medical regulations take precedence over legal ones. Even death row inmates have the right to medical care during their imprisonment. If the health of any criminal or suspect is not guaranteed during detention, it’s the detention center’s negligence.”

The warden sighed. Truth be told, situations like this were rare. Nobody would be thrown into jail right after their coming-of-age ceremony, especially when that person was personally brought in by Fu Yao with only vague charges of theft.

“While I get your point, the suspect was brought in by Major General Fu Yao. You’d need his permission for bail.”

“We’ll get his permission,” the principal interjected. “Please expedite the procedure for him. You know the danger of leaving a Qizi in there during their adjustment period. Every minute can be risky.”

“That’s not my call,” the warden replied, then dialed a superior, reporting briefly.

“Alright, I understand.” He hung up. “They want to interrogate him first.”

“I demand to be present,” Ying Feng promptly added.

The warden didn’t refuse this time. “Fill out the form.”

After Ying Feng completed the paperwork, the warden signaled him to proceed but stopped the principal, who wanted to follow.

“You can’t go in.”

“I’m his principal, the school’s guardian.”

“From the moment he became an adult, there are no school guardians. There’s only the Qizhu. Please wait outside.”

The principal, without permission to attend, anxiously touched Ying Feng’s arm. “Don’t say anything unnecessary.”

“Okay.”

Ying Feng entered the interrogation room, seeing both the interrogator and Ling Xiao. Having been in that environment for only fifteen minutes, Ling Xiao looked significantly drained. Pale-faced, his lips tightly pressed, and hands clenched under the table to prevent them from shaking too visibly. Yet, his remarkable willpower was evident. Even in this situation, he exuded an intense defiance. His mental torment hadn’t reached his eyes, which remained sharp.

Ying Feng walked over and sat next to him. Only after he was seated did the interrogator speak.

“Your Qizhu insisted on being present during the interrogation. Can we begin now?”

At the words “Qizhu”, Ling Xiao’s eyes twitched. After a moment, he nodded.

The interrogator got straight to the point. “How did you obtain Embers II, which even the military prohibits?”

“At the base, during an external study visit,” Ying Feng answered.

The interrogator looked surprised, then turned to Ling Xiao, who nodded in agreement.

“Can you elaborate?”

“Earlier this month, our school organized a visit to the base. There was an accident. We got lost during the regroup and stumbled into a lab. That’s where we found Embers II.”

“Is that true?” the interrogator asked Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao, eyes downcast, confirmed, “It’s true.”

“Was there a clear sign prohibiting entry at the lab’s door?”

“Yes, it said ‘No Unauthorized Entry’.”

“Why did you enter anyway?”

“Out of curiosity.”

“Did you know the name and purpose of the stolen item before taking it?”

“Yes.”

“How did you know?”

“Two people came to the site during that time. We learned from their conversation.”

“People came but didn’t see you. So, you hid?”

“Yes.”

“Who were they?”

“Dr. Yao Tai, the health doctor from Bikong Academy, and Dr. Zhi Shang, the chief researcher at the base.”

The interrogator carefully noted down, “What did they go to do?”

“They also went to get the Embers II, related to the accident at that time.”

“Elaborate further.”

“We don’t know more details. Just after the injection, they could quickly head to the lighthouse and activate the protective shield. So, we concluded that it’s a very powerful thing.” Ying Feng deliberately omitted what he heard from Zhen He.

“Continue,” the interrogator said.

“Before leaving, I took one with me and secretly took it out of the base.” Ling Xiao took over the conversation.

“Why did you take it?”

“Just out of curiosity. I had no other intentions.”

“Did your companion, who is now your Qizhu and was present at the time, know about this?”

Ying Feng: “I did.”

Ling Xiao: “He didn’t.”

Ling Xiao looked at him in surprise; even the interrogator had a puzzled expression.

“You need to be sure about the answer to this question. It determines whether you are guilty in this case. If you accidentally entered the lab, the penalty is minor. But if you knew and didn’t report it, you’d be considered an accomplice. Are you aware of this?”

“I knew he took something that wasn’t his. I clearly knew what he took, but I neither stopped him nor exposed him. I am responsible for the consequences.”

He was very certain, and the interrogator emphasized again, “Your current statement could lead to your detainment. Are you sure everything you said is true?”

“I am.”

Ling Xiao looked puzzled and shocked. He didn’t understand why Ying Feng would say that. However, Fu Yao, who had been listening from the next room, chuckled.

“This guy is interesting. Regardless of whether he’s guilty or not, he’s insistent on taking the blame. It’s as if he wants us to detain him.”

Fu Yao’s Qizi whispered, “He’s probably worried that if his Qizi can’t be released, at least the two of them can be detained together. After all, for a newly initiated Qizi, staying overnight in custody is almost equivalent to a death sentence.”

“How redundant. During their chaotic phase, a Qizi isn’t allowed to be detained at the center. Even if found guilty, they can only be sent to medical supervision. Didn’t he consider the situation where his Qizi gets released and he gets detained?”

His own Qizhu was quite mischievous. The Qizi sighed. “If they’re not allowed to be detained, why bring them here?”

“I just wanted to scare him a bit, to see if it’s his sense of responsibility or self-will that predominates. Many years ago, when someone left, I stole a vehicle to intercept him. I did stop him. But he told me if he wanted to leave, he could leave any day. I could stop him for a day, but not the second day, the third day… So, I let him go. Over the years, I’ve been wondering if letting him go was a mistake. Maybe if I forced him to stay, the outcome would be different.”

His Qizi pondered for a moment. “I think you couldn’t have kept him. The tragedy of their coming-of-age ceremony was man-made. His heart was filled with resentment towards the culprit. It’s understandable he didn’t want to take responsibility. Though the outcome for these two was similar, it was purely accidental. Moreover, compared to Embers II, the life of a fledgling is much more precious.”

“To be honest, I’m quite glad they stole Embers II. Even though they broke the law, it unexpectedly saved their lives. It seems like there’s a divine plan. Their union is probably the same.”

Fu Yao nodded in agreement. “Some people shape their own destiny, while others are simply innocent. For people like these, we should help.”

He gestured. “Proceed with their release on bail.”

Back in the interrogation room, the interrogator was about to conclude.

“I have one last question for you,” he addressed Ling Xiao. “The testimony you provided—is it the truth, or did your Qizhu use his authority to make you say it?”

Ling Xiao remained silent for a while. Just when Ying Feng feared that the question might make him retract his statement, Ling Xiao softly said, “It’s the truth.”

The interrogator nodded and organized the documents he had recorded.

“Your situation is quite unique, so I’ll have to consult my superiors. In the meantime, please return to your respective waiting areas.”

Hearing they’d have to go back to their previous locations, Ling Xiao tensed up. Even though he quickly composed himself, Yin Feng caught his reaction from the corner of his eye.

“Someone in his state shouldn’t be kept here for long. I hope you can expedite the process.”

“I understand,” the interrogator replied. “I’m also a Qizi. I know how it feels.” He then reassured Ling Xiao. “Endure these first three days, and it’ll get better. I’ll apply for you as soon as I can, but the final decision depends on my superiors.”

The two were separated again. Yin Feng remained silent, and Ling Xiao didn’t look at him even once. It was as if they were strangers.

Once Ling Xiao was escorted away, the interrogator curiously asked Yin Feng, “I’m confused about your relationship. During the interrogation, I thought you were close, but now you seem distant. At moments like this, a hug would be comforting for him, but you two didn’t even make eye contact.”

Yin Feng turned to him. “More than a hug, he needs to get out of here as soon as possible.”

The interrogator shrugged apologetically. “I’ll get on it right away.”

With Fu Yao’s quiet recommendation, the bail papers were quickly approved, but the principal still felt it took too long.

“You can take him now.” The prison guard handed over the papers. “Given your unique circumstances, the trial will resume after the Qizi has safely passed the danger period, which is ten days from now. This applies to you too.”

The principal warned, “Every second in here has a cumulative negative effect. A prolonged stay can severely impact a Qizi’s mental health, leading to lasting trauma. Make sure to comfort and care for him.”

Yin Feng took the papers and left, the principal uncertain if he had heeded his words.

The guard was idly sitting in his seat when he saw a figure approaching. The person had the physique of a fledgling, but their eyes were the deep black of an adult. It was rare to see someone who had completed the coming-of-age ceremony yet still retained such a youthful appearance in this place. Today, he had seen two such individuals, and one of them was still detained inside.

“What can I do for you?” the guard inquired.

Yin Feng presented the bail approval documents. “I’m here to get my Qizi out.”

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The author has something to say:

Tip: After the coming-of-age ceremony, a Qizi goes through three days of disorder, followed by seven days of the danger period. During this time, unless their psychological assessment is rated as high risk (like Lan Sheng), they shouldn’t be forcibly separated from their Qizhu.

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