The Sick Villain Just Want to Live

The bikes were parked downstairs at the hotel. When Zhu Tong jumped out of the back seat, his legs felt a little stiff – it was because instead of his normal sitting position, he opted to sit sideways on the way home. 

It didn’t take much effort to hang his legs, but once he tried to maintain this posture for a long time, it felt uncomfortable due to no place for his legs to perch upon. 

Naturally, his legs became numb over time. 

Shao Ming understood what was going on at a glance, and said with a smile, “Let’s go, I’ll take you up.”

Zhu Tong refused, “No, it’s so late…”

“Let’s go.”

Shao Ming held his hand lightly on his back, propping him up.

Zhu Tong: “…”

It’s like taking care of a child who can’t walk well.

Faced with no choice, Zhu Tong let Shao Ming help himself halfway into the hotel lobby.

The hall was very quiet, except for a lady at the front desk who was working diligently, there was no one else. The elevator was also empty.

They went up to the floor where Zhu Tong lived. The corridor was equally silent, with only the slight buzz of the cold, dim light giving some ambiance. The footsteps of the two youths echoed intermittently. 

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A horror enthusiast would definitely be able to make up some supernatural happenstance here. 

Shao Ming felt that something called his conscience had been poked hard. He lowered his head and looked at Zhu Tong, “… Are you still used to living in a hotel?”

Zhu Tong walked all the way up from downstairs. Currently, there was no discomfort after moving his legs and feet.

He replied, “It’s pretty good. For me, I’m not picky about where I live.” 

As someone who’s used to sleeping in the hospital wards all year around, he could live whenever as long as it’s clean. 

Shao Ming: “…”

–But the homestay was closer to the school.

He consciously found a reason to persuade Zhu Tong, and was about to speak when he was interrupted by a ringing bell.

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“…”

Zhu Tong was digging out his card to open the door when the cell phone in his pocket suddenly rang. He took it out to have a look, then looked at Shao Ming apologetically, and answered the phone with his head down, “Hello.” 

“Tongtong? Is class over?”

There was a clear female voice on the phone. In the quiet corridor, even if Zhu Tong didn’t turn on the speakerphone, Shao Ming could hear it very clearly. 

Zhu Tong responded.

The other side suddenly sounded more cheerful. “I heard that you have transferred to our city. Auntie wanted to call you a long time ago, but I was afraid of disturbing your rest. How are you doing now? Where do you live? Are you still used to the new school? Why don’t you come over to eat at home when you have time during weekends? Auntie will cook something delicious for you.” 

“…”

His Aunt questioned rapidly without taking any breath. 

The person on the phone was Zhu Tong’s mother’s cousin. She’s the daughter of his maternal grandfather’s sister.

Although his maternal grandfather only has his mother as his sole child, he also has other relatives and descendants. Among them, his mother’s cousin had the best relationship with her in the past.

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Because she felt that being called “biaoyi1” was not close, and it was rather ugly; she always insisted Zhu Tong to call her “xiaoyi2” since he was a child. 

Zhu Tong actually was most afraid when dealing with her. It felt like he was being bullied by her kindness and sheer enthusiasm. 

He paused for a moment and said stiffly, “No need Auntie. I don’t have much time on weekends, so I might not be able to come to your home. I’m staying in a hotel now, and everything is fine…” 

“Stay in a hotel? How can you stay in a hotel?” The other side was startled for a moment, then continued, “Did Zhu Shoushan arrange it for you? I knew he was unreliable, how could he have such an irresponsible father… Tongtong, you wait, Auntie will call that bastard… “

“No, Auntie,” Zhu Tong suddenly felt a headache. He hurriedly stopped her and said, “I want to live in the hotel, and it has nothing to do with him.” 

The older woman seemed to be taken aback. It took her a couple seconds before she asked back, “You… how can you live in a hotel? How is your living condition?” 

Zhu Tong replied, “The hotel is very clean and comfortable, and it’s also close to the school.”

Auntie: “…” 

“Then you can’t stay in a hotel,” She still insisted. “Why don’t I buy an apartment suite near your school?” 

Zhu Tong: “…”

He felt so tired. But still, he kept standing firm with his decision. “I really don’t need that, Auntie. Thank you for your generosity, but the hotel is really good. Besides, I won’t be in this city for long.” 

His Aunt reiterated, “You won’t be here for long?” 

“Yes, I’ll go back in a year at most.” 

–Well, he would either go back in full health, or go back as a corpse. But either way, he wouldn’t stay here for long. 

That’s why there’s no need to buy a house or an apartment room. 

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Next to him, Shao Ming was leaning against the edge of the corridor, listening to Zhu Tong’s reserved words in front of his elders with a light smile on his face. But when he suddenly heard Zhu Tong’s latest words, he turned his head in shock. 

Zhu Tong didn’t realize it at all, and continued talking to the person on the phone.

After finally dispelling the idea of his Aunt insisting on buying a house for him, the two of them chatted for a while before hanging up the phone.

Zhu Tong let out a long breath of relief.

Looking up, he found that Shao Ming was looking at him with an unreadable expression. Blinking in confusion, he asked, “What’s wrong?” 

However, Shao Ming didn’t reply, he only continued to look at him. 

He thought to himself, ‘This person will leave sooner or later.’

On top of that, he’s very clear on his timeline. He knew when to leave. This meant that he came to Gongshui County for something. 

But even if there was no special purpose… they would part either way. After high school, after the college entrance examination, they still have to go their own way. 

They are destined to take different paths.

What is he going to do now?

Shao Ming smiled suddenly, and said, “It’s nothing. I’ve successfully accompanied you here, so I’ll…”

“Young Master!”

“…”

Uncle Liu’s anxious voice came from the elevator entrance in the corridor.

The two turned their heads at the same time, and saw Uncle Liu’s 1.85m tall body approaching at a fast pace. Standing directly in front of Zhu Tong, he watched the “abductor” in front of him warily.

The “abductor” was very self-aware. He looked at Zhu Tong and said, “I’ll go first, and I’ll abduct you tomorrow again.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

Uncle Liu’s eyes widened instantly, and the vigilance on his face became more obvious.

Zhu Tong wanted to invite Shao Ming in, but he thought it was too late, so he didn’t ask.

Watching Shao Ming enter the elevator, Zhu Tong looked away. He turned his gaze to Uncle Liu, who was standing menacingly like some kind of gatekeeper god. 

“…Uncle Liu, what are you doing?”

Uncle Liu turned his head to look at him, his vigilant face instantly collapsed. “Young Master, how can you go for a walk outside so late? What if something happens?”

“Nothing will happen.”

After saying that, Zhu Tong was stunned for a moment. 

How did he come to such a firm conclusion?

A year ago in late autumn, he also ran away from home secretly at night. After being found by his servants, he developed a high fever for three days and three nights. But when he came back from the river today, he didn’t seem to be feeling sick at all.

On the contrary, he felt very happy because he was very relaxed. 

…Is it because of Shao Ming?

Back in the room, Zhu Tong first opened WeChat.

When Shao Ming took him for a ride by the river just now, he recorded a short video by the river and sent it to Zhu Xin, but he received more than two replies.

This was a really rare occurrence. 

He clicked on the chat record and saw his sister’s reply. He read it with a small smile gracing his lips. 

<Xiao Xin>: Where are you now? Is it windy there? 

<Xiao Xin>: It’s too late. Go back home quickly.

<Xiao Xin>: Don’t catch a cold!

She was as worried as Uncle Liu, showing her care. 

Still, he really wanted to go outside so he wouldn’t feel stir-crazy being trapped inside all the time.

Zhu Tong paused for a while, then replied: [I have already returned to the hotel.]

He clicked on the video again to watch it. On a whim, he pressed the “forward” option, and clicked Shao Ming’s name from his recent contacts.

Downstairs in the hotel, just as Shao Ming got on his bicycle, his phone suddenly vibrated twice. He took out his phone and turned it on.

Familiar night scene.

Familiar perspective.

The slowly moving scenery in the video was taken by someone behind him when he was driving Zhu Tong. In order to maintain balance, one arm hugged his waist tighter than usual.

He couldn’t even remember Zhu Tong’s expression when he held up his mobile phone to record the video, but only remembered the temperature of his waist.

Soon there were two more vibrations.

Shao Ming quit the video and swiped down the screen.

<Zhu>: Thank you.

<Zhu>: I had a great time today. 

Shao Ming: “…”

He bent his lips into a smile and typed a reply.

Zhu Tong received the reply very quickly, and he clicked on it almost immediately, with an impatience that he didn’t realize he had.

<Shao>: Hold tight next time, the camera shakes too much.

Zhu Tong was speechless. He took extra effort to record that video, and was eager to share with a certain beauty. 

But that beauty didn’t care… 

No one noticed that the progress bar in the system interface quietly increased by a few percentages, then dropped by a few percentages, and finally stopped at 27%.

This fluctuation has happened twice already. It made the system wonder if it was infected by a virus! 

But since there was an overall increase, the system gave Zhu Tong an announcement: 

‘Congratulations! You gained +2% of the white moonlight’s favorability. Your current favorability is 27%.’

Back to school the next day, the classroom was as lively as ever.

Zhu Tong originally thought that after Yuan Shaozhou was taken away by the police, except for the occasional discussion in the school, it was basically forgotten.

He didn’t expect that after one night, there would be a follow-up!

“I heard that there is new evidence for Yuan Shaozhou’s incident. A girl who transferred to Gongshui County two years ago suddenly came back and wanted to sue Yuan Shaozhou for sexual assault because he was already sixteen years old when he committed the crime. This time, he’ll probably meet a harsher punishment, not just be sent to the juvenile detention center.”

“Who? It’s such a coincidence that she came back. Is there a secret instigator telling that girl? Maybe they want Yuan Shaozhou to be punished for several crimes? This trick is so awesome!” 

“Whoever they are, Yuan Shaozhou deserves it anyway. For a person like him, the heavier the sentence, the better.”

When discussing this matter in the classroom, many people looked at him.

When his deskmate looked at him for the third time, Zhu Tong couldn’t help but raise his head and clarify, “It’s not me this time.”

Shao Ming replied, “Well, I know.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

‘Then why are you staring at me like that?’ 

Shao Ming instead gave him a mysterious smile. “I just want to ask you, do you have any plans for the weekend?”

Weekend?

Zhu Tong thought about it, and he didn’t seem to have anything scheduled. 

Seeing him thinking, Shao Ming added, “Do you still want to drink the milk tea I made last time?” 

This sentence immediately reminded Zhu Tong of the sweet and smooth drink that graced his taste buds. Zhu Tong’s eyes lit up, and he happily agreed, “I want to!” 

Shao Ming said, “Then you can drink it on weekends. Go to my milk tea shop and I’ll make it for you.” 

Zhu Tong: “…”

Go there and make it for him…

So, he needed to visit there to get it? Does he have somewhere to go on the weekend? 

With undisguised joy on Zhu Tong’s face, he nodded and said, “Okay.”

Seeing the joy on his face, Shao Ming was slightly taken aback. He felt a little guilty, although he felt happy overall. 

He thought to himself, ‘Hey, I still can abduct this young master.’ 

But he immediately rationalizes it with: ‘Well, if I abduct him, so be it.’ 

It’s so pitiful for the young master to stay in school alone on the weekends.

表姨

小姨; literally “Little Aunt” but I’m translating it as “Auntie” instead.