At the moment, Ye Rou was greedily devouring food from He Shun's fridge, surrounded by his men. He Shun's frustration boiled over as regret washed over him for making amends.
"Can you stop eating and start looking for Luan Xie?!" He Shun shouted.
Ye Rou paused mid-bite, arching an eyebrow at He Shun. "Relax. We'll find him. Besides, I need my strength," he said, chewing with an air of indifference.
He Shun clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath the surface. "You don't get it, do you? This isn't a game! Luan Xie is in danger, and you're just sitting here, stuffing your face!"
Annoyance flickered across Ye Rou's face. "Luan Xie is a fu—" He paused, composing himself. "He's a tyrant. Do you really think a bunch of commoners can take him down?"
He Shun nearly pouted, his frustration boiling over. "Well, on the first day, he ran away and came back with torn clothes because someone stole from him."
Ye Rou choked on a piece of bread, laughter bursting forth. "What?! Seriously?"
He Shun crossed his arms, trying to maintain his frustration as Ye Rou wheezed with laughter. "It's not funny!" he insisted, his cheeks flushing. "He was terrified. He had no idea what to do."
"I can't believe Luan Xie got robbed! The guy acts like he owns the world," Ye Rou said, wiping tears from his eyes, the humor lightening the heavy atmosphere in the room. "What happened next? Did he cry?"
"He was embarrassed," He Shun replied, his voice slightly softer now, despite the tension still crackling in the air. "And he acted all tough about it, but I could tell he was scared."
Ye Rou leaned back, still chuckling. "Tough guy getting scared by a thief. Now that's a story I'd like to see. But seriously, how is he supposed to protect himself if he can't handle a little street crime?"
"Maybe if you cared more about him than you do about your pride, you'd understand how vulnerable he really is!" He Shun shot back, his eyes blazing.
Ye Rou's laughter faded, replaced by a serious gaze. "You think I don't care? I do care—maybe too much. But I can't just let my feelings cloud my judgment. Luan Xie is playing a dangerous game."
"And you're just going to let him play it alone?" He Shun challenged, stepping closer, his voice low. "You have a chance to be there for him, and yet you're wasting time on food!"
"Alright, alright!" Ye Rou raised his hands in surrender, his tone shifting. "Let's find him then. I'll finish this later. But I swear if he's not in danger and just off enjoying the sights, I'm going to be very annoyed."
He Shun nodded, relieved that Ye Rou was finally on board. "Let's go. I just hope we're not too late."
With that, they turned their attention to the search, the weight of their previous argument lingering in the air but overshadowed by the urgency of their mission.
"Well, any idea where he could be?" Ye Rou asked, plopping down into the passenger seat of his car and glancing over at He Shun with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.
"Just tell your driver to take us to a dark, mysterious place," He Shun replied, crossing his arms defiantly. "He seems to have a knack for those kinds of spots."
Ye Rou rolled his eyes dramatically. "So what you're saying is that your lover boy is an idiot? Great plan, genius."
He Shun shot him a withering glare. "What do you mean 'idiot'? He's just… adventurous! Like an explorer but with worse judgment."
Ye Rou smirked, tapping his fingers on the dashboard. "Adventurous? More like playing tag with danger. Out of all the places he could've picked, he goes to some sketchy alley. I swear, if he gets mugged, I'm going to laugh."
He Shun leaned in, eyes narrowing. "You know, you could be a little more supportive. He's just looking for excitement—like a kid in a candy store, but instead of candy, it's danger."
"Right, and we all know how that ends," Ye Rou quipped. "With a trip to the hospital or a viral video on the internet. 'Local Guy Gets Robbed While Seeking Adventure.'"
He Shun sighed, a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Come on! We need to find him before he ends up as a meme."
Ye Rou raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Meme? More like a cautionary tale. 'Don't Be Like Luan Xie.'"
As the driver pulled away, He Shun felt a mix of anxiety and determination. "Just promise me we'll find him before he does something really stupid."
Ye Rou tapped his phone screen, looking for contacts. "Yeah, because we definitely need to rescue him before he tries to scale a building or something. That would really ruin my dinner plans."
He Shun rolled his eyes. "Don't talk about Xie-er like that. He's not from this world, unlike you."
"I can't believe Qing-er left me to join you two," Ye Rou sighed dramatically, resting his chin on his hand as if mourning a great loss. "I mean, I managed to adapt to this world while your lover boy is still figuring out how to use a toaster."
He Shun couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, but can you blame him? I mean, he's dealing with a world full of danger and betrayal, not just kitchen appliances."
"True, true," Ye Rou admitted, nodding seriously. "But seriously, if I have to deal with Luan Xie's melodrama when we find him, I might just have to throw myself out of this car."
He Shun smirked. "Oh, please. You'd miss me too much to do that. Plus, who else is going to appreciate your 'grief' over Zhong Qing?"
"Touché," Ye Rou conceded, grinning. "But if I hear one more brooding line from Luan Xie about how he's destined to save the world, I might just throw him back into the dark place we're looking for him in!"
"Deal," He Shun laughed, shaking his head. "But remember, he's still my lover boy, and if anyone's throwing anyone, it'll be me throwing you at him!"
"Then let's get this over with before I start practicing my dramatic exits!" Ye Rou replied.
With a roar of the engine, they sped off into the night, navigating through the dimly lit streets. He Shun couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency creeping in as they drove. He had to find Luan Xie before things spiraled further out of control.
"You know," He Shun said, breaking the silence, "I never pictured us teaming up like this. You, the brooding villain, and me, the lovesick fool."
Ye Rou smirked, glancing sideways at him. "Well, you do make a pretty decent sidekick. Just don't expect me to wear matching costumes."
He Shun laughed. "Fine by me. I'd prefer not to see you in tights."
As they rounded a corner, a thought struck He Shun. "Hey, do you think Luan Xie has any idea we're coming for him? Or is he still lost in his own little world, thinking he's some kind of hero?"
"Knowing him, he's probably giving a soliloquy to the moon," Ye Rou replied, rolling his eyes. "It's like he's auditioning for a tragedy every time he opens his mouth."
"Honestly, I'm kind of looking forward to it," He Shun said, a grin spreading across his face. "It'll be like a reality show—'When Lovers Collide: The Luan Xie Saga!'"
"Complete with dramatic music and slow-motion moments," Ye Rou added, chuckling. "Let's just hope there's no commercial break when he starts crying."
As they drove deeper into the city, He Shun felt a mix of anxiety and excitement. They had a plan, a ridiculous one at that, but it was a plan nonetheless. And for the first time in a long while, he felt like they were a team—however unconventional that team might be.
"Alright, so where do we even start looking?" Ye Rou asked, pulling up at a fork in the road. "Dark alley, abandoned warehouse, or a random park bench where he's contemplating his existence?"
"Let's try the dark alley first," He Shun suggested. "It sounds like a place where all his existential crises would occur."
"Great! Because nothing says romance like dim lighting and questionable characters lurking in the shadows," Ye Rou quipped as he turned down the narrow street.
As they parked, He Shun felt his heart race. "Let's do this," he said, steeling himself.
Ye Rou nodded, an air of mock seriousness settling over him. "Prepare for the drama of a lifetime, my friend. Just remember to keep your camera ready."
Together, they stepped out into the cool night, the faint sounds of the city blending into a backdrop of tension and anticipation. They were ready to face whatever awaited them, whether it be Luan Xie's brooding or something far more dangerous. But in that moment, He Shun felt a flicker of hope—he wouldn't be alone in this fight.
They entered the dimly lit alleyway. Ye Rou's men divided themselves equally, half trailing behind He Shun and half sticking with Ye Rou. Each of them couldn't help but wonder how they had transitioned from trying to attack He Shun to now assisting him.
"If you find him—"
"I'll scream like a banshee!" Ye Rou interrupted, rolling his eyes with an exaggerated flair. "Trust me, I've got the vocal range for it!"
He Shun couldn't help but laugh at Ye Rou's dramatics. "I really don't need the entire city to think a banshee is haunting the alleyways. Just focus on finding Xie-er!"
Ye Rou smirked, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "Oh, come on! It'll be the highlight of my day. You know, a little drama never hurt anyone!"
With a sigh, He Shun shook his head. "Just don't attract too much attention. We're supposed to be stealthy."
"Stealthy? With me involved? Good luck with that!" Ye Rou grinned, then motioned for his men to spread out. "Alright, boys, let's go find our little prince before he gets himself into more trouble than he's already in!"
As they searched the shadows, He Shun couldn't shake the feeling that they were on a wild goose chase, but with Ye Rou by his side—banter and all—there was a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could pull this off without turning the alleyways into a circus.
"Just remember," He Shun said, glancing back at Ye Rou, "if we find him, keep the banshee cries to a minimum."
"Only if you promise to keep your dramatic swooning in check!" Ye Rou shot back with a wink, and they moved deeper into the alley, ready for whatever awaited them.
As they ventured deeper into the maze of alleyways, the atmosphere shifted. The dim light from the streetlamps flickered overhead, casting long shadows that danced eerily on the walls. He Shun's heart raced—not just from the tension of the hunt, but also from the nagging worry about Luan Xie's safety.
"You think he's okay?" He Shun asked, glancing over his shoulder at Ye Rou, who was scanning the surroundings with exaggerated flair.
"Of course he is! He's probably fighting off an army of thugs with one hand and sipping tea with the other," Ye Rou replied, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "You know how he is—dramatic to the core."
He Shun rolled his eyes, trying to suppress a smile. "Yeah, if only his reality matched your fantasies. I'd rather he wasn't caught up in anything dangerous."
"Dangerous? Please! If anyone can handle himself, it's your lover boy. Besides, he's probably off having some existential crisis about his feelings for you right now," Ye Rou teased, nudging He Shun playfully.
He Shun felt a flush creeping up his cheeks. "Not helping!"
"Aw, come on! Admit it, it's adorable how you worry. You look like a mother hen!" Ye Rou said, chuckling.
Before He Shun could retort, one of Ye Rou's men called out from a side alley. "Boss! Over here! I think I found something!"
Both He Shun and Ye Rou rushed toward the sound, hearts pounding with anticipation. They rounded the corner to find the man pointing at a pile of discarded items.
"It's his jacket!" He Shun exclaimed, recognizing the familiar fabric. His heart raced as he reached for it, his fingers brushing against the cold material. "He was here!"
"Alright, Sherlock, what's next?" Ye Rou asked, crossing his arms and leaning casually against the wall.
He Shun squinted down the alley. "If he was here, there's a chance he might've gone further down. We should keep looking."
"Or we could just wait for him to return with a triumphant pose and a dramatic monologue," Ye Rou suggested, feigning a deep, theatrical voice. "Fear not, dear He Shun, for I have vanquished the foes of the night!"
"Stop it!" He Shun laughed, shaking his head. "I'm serious!"
"Fine, fine! Let's go rescue your brooding prince before he decides to become a villain himself," Ye Rou said with a smirk. They both moved forward, their banter fading as the tension returned.
As they made their way through the winding paths, He Shun couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and he glanced back at Ye Rou.
"Do you feel that?" he whispered, eyes darting around.
"Feel what? The overwhelming urge to snack? Because I'm definitely feeling that," Ye Rou replied, looking unfazed.
"No, I mean... like we're not alone here," He Shun insisted, scanning the shadows.
"Relax. If anyone tries to jump us, they'll have to face the wrath of my fists!" Ye Rou boasted, striking a dramatic pose that made He Shun snort.
But before he could respond, a loud crash echoed down the alley. They exchanged worried glances and moved cautiously toward the sound, hearts pounding.
As they turned the corner, the sight before them made He Shun's blood run cold. Luan Xie was surrounded by three burly men, their fists flying as they pummeled him mercilessly. He was on the ground, struggling to defend himself against the relentless blows.
"Xie-er!" He Shun shouted, panic surging through him as he pushed through the chaos. The sound of fists hitting flesh echoed around him, the world blurring in a haze of desperation.
Ye Rou's men sprang into action, moving like a well-trained unit, swiftly taking down the remaining attackers. It was a whirlwind of chaos, fists flying and bodies colliding. The alley was filled with the sounds of grunts and scuffling feet, punctuated by the dull thud of heavy fists landing on unsuspecting targets.
As the last of the buff men scrambled to escape, they disappeared into the shadows, their footsteps fading into the night. He Shun felt a rush of adrenaline, his heart pounding in his chest as he turned his attention back to Luan Xie.
"Luan Xie!" He dropped to his knees beside him, his breath shaky. "Are you okay?"
Luan Xie groaned, struggling to prop himself up on one elbow, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "I'm... fine," he gasped, though the pallor of his face told a different story. His eyes flickered with determination, but the pain was evident.
"No, you're not!" He Shun snapped, feeling a swell of anger and fear at the sight of Luan Xie's battered form. "You need help. We should call an ambulance!"
"Not here," Luan Xie replied, his voice strained as he glanced toward the shadows where the attackers had fled. "We can't stay in one place for too long. They could come back with more men."
He Shun's heart raced at the thought, adrenaline surging through him. The alley felt like a trap, the darkness closing in around them. "Then let's get you out of here!" He looked at Ye Rou, who was catching his breath, his expression a mixture of concern and annoyance.
"Get him on his feet," Ye Rou commanded, his voice low and urgent. "We need to move—now."
With He Shun's help, Luan Xie struggled to stand, each movement eliciting a wince of pain. "I can walk," he insisted, though it was clear he was barely holding himself up.
"Not alone," He Shun countered, wrapping an arm around Luan Xie's waist to support him. The weight of Luan Xie's body against him felt both comforting and terrifying, a reminder of how fragile their lives had become.
As they made their way down the alley, He Shun's senses were on high alert. Every sound—the distant hum of traffic, the rustle of leaves—felt amplified, each echo threatening to reveal lurking dangers. The darkness seemed to pulse around them, a living entity that could swallow them whole at any moment.
"Keep your eyes peeled," Ye Rou whispered, glancing back over his shoulder. "Those guys won't give up easily."
"Great," He Shun muttered, his heart racing. "Just what we need—more trouble."
They moved cautiously, the shadows growing longer as they ventured deeper into the labyrinth of alleyways. The tension was palpable, each corner turned sparking dread. He Shun could feel Luan Xie's breath against him, shallow and ragged, and it only fueled his determination to get them to safety.
"Come on. Let's get to the car," Ye Rou urged, glancing around for any signs of danger.
Luan Xie shot him a confused look. "What the—" His gaze darted to He Shun, seeking clarification.
He Shun managed an awkward grin. "It's a… long story. I'll fill you in later."
Luan Xie frowned, still trying to process what had just happened. "You're telling me we're running away with this dude who tried to kill us?"
"Trust me, it's for the best right now," He Shun insisted, his voice laced with urgency as he ushered Luan Xie toward the exit of the alley.
They hurried to the car, He Shun's heart racing as he scanned their surroundings, ready for any potential threats. Ye Rou was on high alert, his men forming a protective circle around them.
Once inside the car, Luan Xie buckled his seatbelt, eyes darting between He Shun and Ye Rou. "What did you get me into?"
"Nothing we can't handle," Ye Rou replied, starting the engine and peeling out of the alley. "But we need to discuss this later, preferably somewhere safer."
Luan Xie leaned back in his seat, still shaken. "I've had enough of this 'dangerous adventures' tour. I didn't sign up for a real-life action movie."
"Yeah, well, it seems the universe has other plans for you," He Shun said, a hint of humor breaking through his tension. "Next time, let's stick to rom-coms."
Ye Rou shot him a glare, his focus on the road. "Save the jokes for later. Right now, we need to figure out why those guys were after you."
"Isn't it obvious? I'm pretty. They just wanted someone to—" Luan Xie rolled his eyes, leaning against He Shun with a teasing smirk.
"Yeah, because getting beaten up is the best way to attract admirers," He Shun replied, shaking his head but unable to suppress a small smile.
Luan Xie shrugged dramatically. "Hey, I've heard worse pick-up lines."
Ye Rou groaned, turning his head briefly to shoot them both a look. "Can you two focus, please? Your banter is not going to help us figure this out."
"Fine, fine. But can we at least agree that I'm still the prettiest one here?" Luan Xie quipped, and He Shun chuckled softly, grateful for the lightness amid the chaos.
"Let's just get to safety first," Ye Rou replied, shaking his head in exasperation but secretly appreciating their resilience.
He Shun leaned closer to Luan Xie, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. "Seriously, what happened back there? You were surrounded. It looked bad."
"They wanted to get in my pants," Luan Xie replied, forcing a chuckle that fell flat. He leaned back against the seat, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.
He Shun shot him a concerned look. "This isn't a joke, Xie-er! You could've been seriously hurt!"
Luan Xie's eyes darkened as he stared out the window, memories flooding back—shadows closing in, fists swinging, and the sickening feeling of helplessness. "I could handle it. I'm used to being used like this," he muttered, though the bravado in his voice faltered.
He looked at Ye Rou with a hint of anger. "Isn't that right?"
Ye Rou fell silent, unable to meet Luan Xie's gaze. The weight of unspoken truths hung heavy in the air, the acknowledgment of past experiences they both wished to forget, yet could not escape.
"You... you shouldn't feel like you're used to people using you for... their pleasure," He Shun said, his heart breaking at Luan Xie's admission.
"One man made me feel that way, and I guess it just... stayed," Luan Xie replied, his gaze still fixed on Ye Rou. The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of painful memories, and the vulnerability in his voice made He Shun's chest ache even more.
He Shun felt a surge of anger towards Ye Rou as he processed Luan Xie's words. "That's not fair," he said, his voice low but fierce. "You shouldn't have to endure that kind of treatment, not from anyone—especially not from him."
Luan Xie shrugged, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. "It is what it is. Ye Rou taught me how easily people can forget about you once they've gotten what they want. It's not just about love; it's about feeling like a pawn in someone else's game."
Ye Rou tightened his grip on the steering wheel, a pained expression crossing his face. "I didn't—" he started, but the words stuck in his throat.
He Shun turned to him, his eyes ablaze with intensity. "You didn't what? You didn't mean to make him feel this way? Or you didn't care?"
The silence in the car was deafening, the tension palpable as Ye Rou struggled to find his voice. "I... I never wanted to hurt him. You have to believe me," he finally said, a hint of desperation creeping into his tone.
Luan Xie scoffed softly, though the bitterness in his voice betrayed the hurt beneath. "You can't unring the bell, Ye Rou. I'm still here, trying to pick up the pieces."
He Shun glanced at Luan Xie, his heart aching for the pain he could see in his eyes. "You don't have to do this alone," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "I'm here for you."
Luan Xie met He Shun's gaze, and for a moment, the walls he had built around his heart cracked. But the shadows of the past still loomed, threatening to pull him back into the depths of despair.
"I… loved you back then," Ye Rou broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper.
Luan Xie let out a bitter chuckle, the sound sharp and hollow. "You've ruined my life. You wanted me to depend solely on you. That wasn't love. It was obsession. A twisted obsession you had for my body."
Ye Rou's expression faltered, hurt flickering in his eyes. "That's not true! I thought—"
"You thought what?" Luan Xie interrupted, his voice rising with indignation. "You thought you could control me, manipulate me into being what you wanted? That's not love, Ye Rou. That's possession."
The weight of Luan Xie's words hung heavy in the air, and Ye Rou clenched his fists, grappling with the truth that cut deeper than any blade. "I was young and scared," he admitted, his voice shaky. "I didn't know how to express what I felt. I thought keeping you close was the only way to protect you."
"Protect me?" Luan Xie scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "You suffocated me. You turned my existence into a prison, and now you want to call that love?"
Ye Rou fell silent, unable to defend himself against the accusations that rang all too true. The remorse that washed over him was almost suffocating, but he had to face the consequences of his past actions.
"Let's be honest," Luan Xie said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You loved my body, but deep down, you loved—no, you still love—Zhong Qing, even after he passed away just a few days ago."
He Shun instinctively pulled Luan Xie closer, offering him the comfort of his presence as the tension thickened in the air.
Ye Rou fell silent, his gaze dropping to the steering wheel. "I… didn't love—"
"Don't lie," Luan Xie interrupted sharply. "It was always Zhong Qing. I was the fool in this twisted game. You sent him to spy on me, but every time you visited the palace, your eyes searched for him, not me."
The weight of Luan Xie's accusations hung heavily between them, and the atmosphere felt electric with unspoken truths. Ye Rou clenched his jaw, battling the guilt that threatened to consume him. "I was trying to protect you both," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Protect us? Or control us?" Luan Xie shot back, anger bubbling to the surface. "You thought you could keep us on a leash, play us against each other while you manipulated everything behind the scenes."
Ye Rou winced at the truth in Luan Xie's words, knowing he had crossed lines that should never have been touched. "I was a fool," he admitted, his voice cracking. "But it was never just about control. I cared for you, even if I didn't know how to show it."
"But you showed it by suffocating me!" Luan Xie snapped, his frustration palpable. "You were never there for me, not truly. You were too busy clinging to your obsession with him."
He Shun watched the exchange, feeling the weight of their history pressing in on him, and he tightened his grip around Luan Xie, determined to protect him from the pain that lingered in the air.
The silence in the car grew heavy, punctuated only by the sound of the tires rolling over the asphalt. He Shun could sense the unresolved tension simmering between Luan Xie and Ye Rou, a tension that threatened to ignite at any moment.
"I was lost," Ye Rou confessed, his voice filled with a mix of remorse and frustration. "I thought I could have both of you, but I ended up pushing you both away. I didn't want to let go of either of you, and I see now how selfish that was."
Luan Xie scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Selfish? You took away my autonomy, my right to choose for myself. You made me feel like a pawn in your twisted game. You wanted me to depend on you while pretending it was love."
He Shun could feel Luan Xie's body tense beside him, the anger radiating off him like a palpable force. "You wanted to own me, to possess me, and that's not love, Ye Rou! Love doesn't suffocate or control."
Ye Rou's hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. "I never wanted to suffocate you! I thought… I thought I was protecting you from the world." His voice cracked, revealing the vulnerability hidden beneath his bravado.
"Protecting me? You call that protection?" Luan Xie spat, his voice rising. "You've caused me more pain than any 'threat' ever could. I'd rather face the world alone than be trapped in your version of love!"
He Shun glanced at Luan Xie, his heart aching for him. "Xie-er, it's okay to be angry. You have every right to feel this way." He felt the urge to shield Luan Xie from the storm, but he knew he had to let him confront this pain.
Ye Rou met Luan Xie's gaze in the rearview mirror, his eyes pleading. "I never meant to hurt you. I thought I was helping. I was scared of losing you both."
"Losing us?" Luan Xie echoed incredulously. "You were the one who pushed us away! You made me feel like I was never enough, like I had to compete for your attention. And now you're left with nothing but your guilt."
The tension in the car crackled as emotions spiraled. He Shun could see the pain etched on both their faces—one filled with regret and the other with a bitter sense of betrayal. "Ye Rou," He Shun interjected gently, "maybe it's time to let go of the past. You can't keep clinging to a memory while trying to fix things now."
Ye Rou sighed deeply, his frustration morphing into a somber realization. "I know. But I can't change what I did. I hurt you both, and I don't know if I can ever make that right."
"Stop trying to fix it all at once," He Shun urged. "Start by being honest. Acknowledge what you've done and the pain it caused. Only then can you begin to heal."
Luan Xie's anger seemed to deflate slightly, replaced by a weary sadness. "I don't want to be a part of your games anymore, Ye Rou. I'm tired of feeling like a trophy in someone else's twisted love story."
For a moment, the car was filled with an uneasy silence, the weight of their past hanging in the air like a thick fog. He Shun could sense the shift—something fragile yet powerful stirring within them.
"Maybe it's a good thing Zhong Qing died," Luan Xie spat, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and pain. "You have no idea how long I've waited for that day. He was nothing—just a desperate shadow, always begging for your attention."
Ye Rou's face contorted with rage, his fists trembling as he stepped closer, his voice shaking with barely controlled fury. "Shut up! Don't you dare talk about him like that!" His voice cracked as raw emotion spilled over. "You don't know anything about him!"
Luan Xie stared him down, unflinching, even though the storm in Ye Rou's eyes was enough to make anyone cower. "Oh, I know more than you think." His voice was cold, mocking, daring Ye Rou to act. "I know how you pit us against each other, how you tore him apart just to keep control. You loved him? You destroyed him, just like you tried to destroy me."
The words hit Ye Rou like a blow. For a moment, his anger faltered, giving way to something darker—regret, grief, but it was gone just as quickly, buried beneath his wrath. "You don't understand anything! Zhong Qing... I never wanted to hurt him! He was—"
"He was yours, wasn't he?" Luan Xie's voice dropped, quieter now, but filled with venom. "But you didn't care who you hurt as long as you got what you wanted. And now he's dead, Ye Rou. Dead, and there's no one left for you to control."
The words hung in the air like a curse, and for a moment, no one moved. He Shun gripped Luan Xie's arm, his eyes pleading, trying to stop the escalating rage. But it was too late. The damage had been done.
For a second, He Shun could swear Ye Rou was going to smash the car. The way his knuckles turned white as they gripped the steering wheel, the wild look in his eyes, it all pointed to an explosion waiting to happen. His chest heaved with each ragged breath, and the tension in the air was thick enough to suffocate them all.
Ye Rou's voice trembled with rage, his words barely audible, "You think I don't know that?" His grip on the wheel tightened, as if holding back the flood of emotion threatening to spill over. "You think I don't live with that every damn day?"
Luan Xie watched him, expression unmoved, as if daring him to unleash his fury. "Then stop pretending you were ever the victim. You were the one who destroyed everything—Zhong Qing, me, your own life. You did this."
Ye Rou's whole body seemed to shake, and for a moment, He Shun thought the car would crumble under the pressure of his rage. He couldn't stand the silence, the threat looming between them, so he reached out to Luan Xie, his voice soft but urgent. "Stop it. Please, Xie-er, just stop."
But Luan Xie's eyes were fixed on Ye Rou, unyielding. "You can't fix this, Rou. You can't bring him back."
"I know he's dead! So what?!" Ye Rou exploded, his voice cracking under the weight of his own fury. His hands slammed the steering wheel, making the whole car jolt, but his eyes never left the road ahead, as if he was trying to outrun the truth.
He Shun flinched but said nothing, holding Luan Xie close, hoping to calm the storm brewing between them.
Ye Rou's voice lowered, trembling with raw emotion. "You think I don't know what I lost? You think I don't wake up every day with that in my head? I ruined him... I ruined everything."
Luan Xie's gaze softened for just a moment, but his words remained cold. "You didn't just ruin him. You ruined me too. But you don't care about that, do you? You only cared about control."
"And you—" Ye Rou's voice wavered as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. "You were never meant to survive this. You were supposed to be mine, but you kept pushing me away!"
Luan Xie's eyes darkened, filled with a mix of pain and defiance. "You don't get it, do you? I'm not a trophy for you to claim. I'm not some prize to be won! You wanted to control me, but I refuse to be your puppet any longer."
Ye Rou slammed his fist against the steering wheel again, a mix of frustration and regret bubbling to the surface. "You think I wanted this? I was trying to protect you! Everything I did, I did for you! But you turned your back on me when I needed you most!"
He Shun felt the tension in the car crackle like electricity, tightening his grip on Luan Xie as if he could shield him from the fallout of Ye Rou's rage. "This isn't helping anyone!" he shouted, his voice rising above the oppressive silence. "You're both hurting, and lashing out isn't going to bring Zhong Qing back!"
Luan Xie's voice cut through the anger, sharp and resolute. "He is alive. He survived that fall."
Ye Rou slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching against the pavement as the car lurched to a stop. He spun around, disbelief twisting his features into a mask of desperation. "Is this some sick joke? Please tell me you're serious. Is he really alive?"
The air in the car grew thick with tension as Luan Xie met Ye Rou's gaze, unyielding and fierce. "He is alive."
The words hung in the air, heavy with implications. He Shun's heart raced, a knot forming in his stomach as he turned to Luan Xie. "Is he really alive?"
Luan Xie nodded, his expression a mix of determination and something darker—fear. "I had formed a sort of life source connection with him when he was still my advisor. The connection is still here."
His voice trembled slightly as he continued, "I can feel it, like a pulse deep within me. It's faint, but it's there. If I can just concentrate, I might be able to sense where he is."
He Shun exchanged glances with Ye Rou, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. "Then we have to try. How do we tap into that connection?"
Luan Xie took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I need silence. I need to focus entirely on the bond we shared. If we can find a quiet place, I might be able to reach out to him."
Ye Rou nodded, his anger momentarily subsiding as determination took its place. "We'll find somewhere safe. But we need to move fast; if those men were after you, they might still be looking for us. We can't let them catch up."
"Then let's go!" He Shun urged, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The urgency of their situation snapped him into action.
As Ye Rou shifted the car into gear and sped off, Luan Xie leaned back, closing his eyes, focusing on the ebb and flow of the connection he felt within him. He was scared, but he couldn't allow that fear to overwhelm him. Zhong Qing was out there, and he had to believe he was alive.
"Just hold on, A-Qing," Ye Rou whispered, his heart racing as he braced himself for what was to come. "I'm coming for you and I'll fix everything."