Extra 1 – After Lies

Jian Yi had been treated for two weeks; a psychiatrist would visit him every single day. He was dealing with his trauma quite well, already being able to walk just fine. Talk also was becoming easier each day. However, his heart ached. Unable to smile at his one true love, unable to throw himself on his arms and never let go, unable to tell him how much he loved him.

"You are cruel." He hissed. The woman sitting in the corner of the room didn't even move.

"Gladly you like him enough to care for his life."

"When is he coming?"

"He usually stops at six. He drops by after school."

"Then tell me, for how much more time will I have to keep with this ridiculous act?"

"I don't know." She sighed. "I'm not the one behind it, Yi."

The blond didn't have time to process the information, as his bedroom's door opened up. He couldn't hide his surprise when he saw the man entering the room. His brown hair was still the same, but his silvery eyes looked tired. Jian Yi's mother got up from the chair, and the man dragged it near the bed. He sat lazily, sighing heavily.

"Fa-father?" Jian Yi stuttered. "What's this person doing here, mother?" He pointed at him trembling.

"You need to talk." She said carelessly, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

"How are you feeling, Yi?" The man asked.

"Do you even care?"

"You are my son, after all."

"That's the reason why you decided to test my limits?"

"I see you are slier than it seems."

Mr. Jian wouldn't say it out loud, but he didn't need to. Jian Yi had already figured what really happened.

First of all, He Qiang had never betrayed Mr. Jian. The day Jian Yi and the others came to rescue Zhan Zheng Xi, He Tian's brother was told to make a scene, pretend he got pissed off by the things Mr. Jian said. All the boys actually fell for it quite easily.

Second, knowing about She Li's growing interest in Jian Yi, He Qiang was told to keep pretending and gather as many people as he could. Mr. Jian made him help She Li out, with the excuse of wanting nothing more than revenge. In order to make it more believable, he even created a whole new triad. Both She Li and Xiao Hui fell for it, hard.

The third part of the plan was adapted, though. They thought She Li wanted to torture Jian Yi and Mo Guan Shan (Redhead was the best example of 'wrong place, wrong time'. Neither 14K nor Sun Yee On had interest in him, but when He Qiang learned that his young brother had a crush on him, and She Li wanted to make him pay, oh, it was just like hitting two birds with a single stone.), but later on his true intentions came clear.

Mrs. Jian needed to know her son's limits before handing him to her husband. She felt excited upon the realization that it took far more for Jian Yi to break down than the other people she tested. Her excitement only grew when she saw that his recovery was just as fast as it could be. But they still had a hindrance. Zhan Zheng Xi. The boy would get in her way to make her son the greatest leader that had ever been born.

The fourth and last part of the plan regarded the blond's relationship with Zhan Zheng Xi. Mrs. Jian told her son that he needed to deceive his own boyfriend. He had to pretend he wasn't getting any better, or else the brunet would get killed. Jian Yi acted, chest tight and anger boiling. But he had all his limbs tied up, he couldn't do anything but comply.

So Jian Yi tried to convey his feelings through his eyes. A mute plea, begging silently to Zhan Zheng Xi to understand him. To notice that Jian Yi was in great danger. But for the umpteenth time, Zhan Zheng Xi disappointed him. And when he finally realized, it was already too late. Jian Yi was already gone.

"Good afternoon, Jian Yi." Zhan Zheng Xi said softly, entering the boy's room.

"-lo." The blond mumbled. He wanted to say 'hello'.

"How are you feeling today?" The brunet asked, sitting on the bed.

"-tter." 'Better'. It hurt so much to pretend.

It was one month after the kidnapping, and Jian Yi was almost cured. Without knowing that the blond was actually great, all Zhan Zheng Xi could think was how much he wanted to have his Jian Yi back. But he was also feeling quite distressed. Visiting his boyfriend every day since he was rescued, even with the act, the brunet could see the smallest changes on Jian Yi. Because of that he noticed something deep inside the blond's eyes. But he couldn't tell what it was.

"You are improving, Jian Yi, I'm proud of you." He caressed the blond's cheek with his thumb, gingerly. "You know that I like you a lot, right?"

"Too."

What he wanted to say, though, was: "I fucking love you, you idiot. Why can't you notice that I'm lying to you? Why can't you see that she is as bad as my father? Why won't you help me?"

"Have you eaten?"

"No."

But inside, it was: "Yes, I had. But I can't say it to you, because I need to pretend that you are the only taking care of me."

"Remember when I was in the hospital? You brought me soup and fed me. Guess what I brought you."

"-oup?"

"That's right! Your stomach is still upset, isn't it? You can't eat anything. Can I feed you?"

Jian Yi wanted to shout. Jian Yi wanted to cry. Jian Yi wanted to beg. But he couldn't do any of those things. "Zhan Zheng Xi, why can't you read me? If you take too long to realize what's going on, you'll lose me. I'll lose you. I don't want to lose you, Zhan Zheng Xi."

And when the brunet was leaving, all Jian Yi could do was grab his sleeve and look deep into those grey eyes. "Don't leave me. Stay with me. I can't deal with it by myself. I need you to protect me, just like you've always done. I love you. Do you love me?"

Two weeks and one day after his father visited him, Jian Yi was told that he was totally cured, and that his mother could finally do whatever she had planned. The only thing he was able to leave behind was a little note, a note that conveyed all his feelings. He hid it on his nightstand's drawer, knowing that Zhan Zheng Xi would look there. He would look everywhere. Even if it was too late, he would look everywhere.

Jian Yi suffered.

He had to deal with gun dealers. He had to deal with drug dealers. He had to deal with loan sharks. He had to use people as stooges. He had to launder money. He had to kidnap people to sell them. He had to kidnap people to make them sell their bodies. He had to burn places down to burn evidences. He had to torture. He had to kill.

Jian Yi learned.

He learned how to use a pistol. He learned how to fight. He learned how to get information. He learned he could only rely on himself. He learned he could only trust himself. He learned that no matter what he did, he was alone. He would always be alone. He was thrown on that despicable mafia world and had to learn. So he learned how to deal with it.

Jian Yi changed.

But after one year, when he thought 'he' would think he was useless and would throw him away, 'he' made him the boss. For the first time in his life, he learned what power was. And he liked it. Before he even realized, he was already a dictator. He was commanding people, deciding their fates. And he fucking loved it.

Jian Yi forgot.

He forgot love. He forgot compassion. He forgot mercy. He forgot kindness. He forgot empathy. He forgot humility. He forgot friendship. He forgot happiness. He forgot himself. He forgot Zhan Zheng Xi.

Jian Yi was lonely.

His personality changed completely. That guy that was once cheerful, caring, funny, he got dark. He got mean. He liked seeing people suffer. But deep down, that same guy felt helpless. Nobody liked him. Nobody respected him. People only feared him. So that tiny feeling he thought was gone, came back. And it grew. And grew. And grew. And it finally made him realize. Realize he didn't need to be like that.

Jian Yi remembered.

He remembered jumping on the river.

He remembered spending the night.

He remembered a staring contest.

He remembered holding hands to sleep.

He remembered the fear.

He remembered a hug.

He remembered fleeing.

He remembered having a fever.

He remembered being taken care of.

He remembered a kiss.

He remembered the rejection.

He remembered pain.

He remembered his tears.

He remembered pretending.

He remembered laughing.

He remembered the advice.

He remembered the angst.

He remembered the relief.

He remembered the confession.

He remembered the friendship.

He remembered the happiness.

He remembered himself.

He remembered Zhan Zheng Xi.

Jian Yi decided.

He decided he had been controlled too much. He decided it was enough. He was already the leader of both triads anyway, what harm would it do to do the things his way, at least for once, right? So he started his plan. His plan to end every single bit of influence his parents still had. And little by little, Jian Yi grew stronger and powerful. Little by little, underlings and associates forgot who his parents were to them, to the triads. By the end of a year and a half, Jian Yi was a hundred percent in charge.

Jian Yi came back.

He wanted to make a surprise. Using his power he got in the same University he knew his (ex?) boyfriend and friends entered, and planned everything flawlessly. He told the veterans to throw a party for the freshmen, the perfect disguise for him. He discovered the three men new cellphone numbers – why did they change it? And then he started.

The first one he called was Mo Guan Shan, the Redhead. Jian Yi was euphoric after learning his redheaded friend managed to enter the same University the other ones were aiming for. He was also happy because Guan Shan didn't stop studying, and for Jian Yi it was a huge win. He told Redhead only a word, hasty, so he wouldn't recognize his voice, even though it had changed a bit.

'Congratulations'.

The full sentence would be something like 'Congratulations on making it through the admission test, I'm really happy for you. I told you that you could manage it, right? I'm also glad that you decided to keep on studying, Redhead, that your future will be bright, quite the opposite of mine.' But the only thing that left his lips was that single word. A word that meant a lot.

Before making his second call, Jian Yi got tangled on a small fight with a minor triad that was going through a rebellious phase. His call was supposed to be made a little bit after Guan Shan's, but he got caught on the conflict. Albeit the triad was not that big, and relied a lot on his ones, they made a great fight. Jian Yi actually got hurt in the middle of everything.

The second one he called was He Tian. He wanted to say 'He Tian, I've heard my mother released you from the leash. How does it feel to be a free man? I'm sure it feels awesome. I've also heard Redhead got in the same University as you, you must be delighted. I'm happy for you, man, quite happy.' But the only thing that left his lips was 'I'm happy for you'. It was enough, though. He told exactly what he wanted, without being noticed.

Zhan Zheng Xi was the real deal. The real challenge. Jian Yi knew he had to hold everything back to make this call. He wanted to say too many things, but he couldn't afford to make mistakes. It was his only chance, and he would use it the best way he could.

Thinking about it he entered the University Campus carrying a suitcase. He passed by all the people dancing and drinking in the middle of the courtyard, heading to the dorms. He climbed all the stairs and walked through the long corridor. He stopped in front of the '403' door and grabbed his key on his pocket. He took a deep breath and let go of the key, taking his cellphone instead. It was all or nothing.

"Hello?" He missed that voice so much.

"Open the door."

It was all he said, and then he hung up. He heard the person getting up and walking towards the door. He heard the uneven breathing pattern, he was nervous. He heard the key turning on the lock as quieter as it could. He saw the door opening bit by bit. He saw the head peeking outside, staring at him in an almost horrified expression. He smiled sheepishly and shrugged, saying:

"I'm back, Zhan Xixi."

Zhan Zheng Xi took at least five minutes to wake up from his daze, but Jian Yi waited patiently. He didn't care if his head was bleeding, or if the corridor was getting more crowded and curious about the hurt guy in front of a semi-open door. All he did was maintain his guilty expression and awkward smile, praying for Zhan Zheng Xi to forgive him.

Even if it wasn't his fault at all.

However, Zhan Zheng Xi was unpredictable. He stepped outside, making Jian Yi recoil. The door closed behind him, but he didn't mind it. His hands outstretched, cupping Jian Yi's face. His thumbs caressed the dirty cheeks carefully; it seemed he was afraid of breaking it. Actually, he was having a hard time believing his own eyes and body. His mind could only think how it was a prank, a cruel prank.

"Are you real?" He mumbled. He was on the verge of tears.

Jian Yi smiled sincerely. He looked stunning. His hair was longer, his eyes were sharper, his build was stronger. The blond stepped forward, cutting any distance that still remained. Their lips clashed against each other.

The kiss was desperate.

The kiss was longing.

The kiss was demanding.

When they parted, Zhan Zheng Xi opened the door and pulled Jian Yi inside. The brunet got almost immediately pressed between the blond and the door as soon as it closed, his lips being attacked once more. Jian Yi's hands found their way to Zhan Zheng Xi's waist, grabbing the hem of his shirt and raising it slowly. His fingers felt like burning when he touched that so cold skin of Zhan Zheng Xi.

He parted the kiss briefly, only to take Zhan Zheng Xi's shirt off. His tongue explored the other's mouth, reminding him of his happy days. Zhan Zheng Xi was addicting and he couldn't have enough of him. His hands trailed all of his body, tracing and tickling the deep scars. He helped Zhan Zheng Xi to take off his own shirt, panting heavily.

The brunet's hands found Jian Yi's tattoos, and he touched it lightly. The right shoulder held the 14K symbol, the left shoulder held the Sun Yee On symbol. Their foreheads were touching, their breaths mingling, their eyes meeting. Jian Yi couldn't hold a single stubborn tear, which fell from his eye and went all the way to his chin. Zhan Zheng Xi kissed his cheek, hugging him tightly.

Jian Yi took a deep breath and grinned, pushing the other a little. He held his jaw and made him look into his eyes once more. There weren't any more secrets, and now he could read it perfectly. Golden eyes met silvery, both of them with the very same thing written on it. 'I crave you.'

Zhan Zheng Xi got pushed into one of the beds, and Jian Yi fell on top of him right after, both hands on the sides of his head. Their mouths met once more, now less desperate and more needy. Tongues battling against each other in a useless fight with no winner.

Jian Yi slid his knee between Zhan Zheng Xi's legs, hearing a hoarse moan leave the brunet's mouth. He smiled on the other's lips, leaning his weight on his left elbow, which was now resting beside Zhan Zheng Xi's head. His right hand traveled slowly. First he traced the 'X' on Zhan Zheng Xi's right shoulder. Then he traced the cross on Zhan Zheng Xi's left shoulder. Then he traced the small straight line on Zhan Zheng Xi's neck. Lastly he traced all three diagonal marks on Zhan Zheng Xi's chest, each finger hovering above a mark.

For a small time, Zhan Zheng Xi thought he saw sadness deep into those gold eyes, but in a blink it had vanished. Jian Yi's right hand lowered more, teasing the brunet. He circled the navel, tickled right above the pants' waistband. His palm found Zhan Zheng Xi's erection and jammed it at the same time as their lips met.

He caressed it through the fabric, noticing Zhan Zheng Xi was getting impatient. God, he was growing impatient as well. His fingers unbuckled the jeans' button and opened the fly, exposing the white boxers. He chuckled lightly realizing that the brunet hasn't changed much all those years.

Zhan Zheng Xi, tired of Jian Yi slowness, raised his hips and took off his pants and boxers, freeing his already hard shaft. The blond grinned and palmed the dick, kissing Zhan Zheng Xi's neck lewdly. The brunet was slowly turning into a hot moaning mess. When Jian Yi felt that Zhan Zheng Xi was close to his limit, he stopped his movements, earning a huff in response.

Jian Yi sat on the bed, with his back turned to Zhan Zheng Xi, and opened the nightstand's drawer. While the blond searched for something there, the brunet outstretched his fingers to meet the other's back. Jian Yi had the same scars as his, the same three diagonal marks, but instead of his chest, they stained his back. He felt Jian Yi flinch upon the touch, but he didn't recoil. His fingers kept going up and down, memorizing the pattern.

Soon Jian Yi came back to the same position as before. He kissed Zhan Zheng Xi once more, now calmer, slower. It didn't take long for the brunet to understand why he was being treated so gingerly, as Jian Yi's hand made its way between Zhan Zheng Xi's cheeks, circling his rear with his digits.

Zhan Zheng Xi held his breath when the first one entered, bothered by the sudden invasion. But Jian Yi seemed to know exactly what he was doing, and as soon as his fingertip brushed Zhan Zheng Xi's sweet spot, the brunet remembered how to breathe. And how to moan.

One finger became two, then three, and Jian Yi was abusing Zhan Zheng Xi's prostate merciless, delighted by the loudness of the brunet. Zhan Zheng Xi couldn't hold longer, though, and he came thickly on his chest and stomach, panting heavily.

After waking up from his bliss, Zhan Zheng Xi sat, making Jian Yi kneel in front of him, taking off his fingers consequently. He didn't even care for the cum dripping between his thighs as his hands took off Jian Yi's pants. The jeans was quickly discarded somewhere in the room and Zhan Zheng Xi turned around, leaning on his knees and elbows.

Jian Yi caressed Zhan Zheng Xi's waist and hips while lubing himself up. He jerked the brunet as his member entered his hole, soothing Zhan Zheng Xi the best way he could. Jian Yi knew how it hurt. Even though it had happened years prior, the memory was carved on his mind, so he was going to be as cautious as he could.

When he felt Zhan Zheng Xi's breaths steady, Jian Yi thrust deeper. Noticing the groan that left the brunet's lips wasn't a painful one, the blond started moving on a slow pace. Shortly Zhan Zheng Xi's hips followed his pushes, increasing the speed slowly.

As the pace grew faster, both men couldn't hold their voices down, groaning a fusion of their names and unfinished words. Jian Yi's hand matched his thrusts with the jerking speed, and when he hit Zhan Zheng Xi's sweet spot, the brunet could swear he saw white. A few more shoves were enough to drive both of them to sheer bliss, Zhan Zheng Xi dirtying the sheets below and Jian Yi filling him to the brim.

Zhan Zheng Xi collapsed on the dirty sheets, not caring at all. Jian Yi took off his member, sitting on the edge of the bed. The brunet breathed deeply, trying to understand what had just happened. He felt like his mind had been completely turned off for half an hour, maybe more, maybe less.

He tried sitting beside Jian Yi, realizing it was a hard task because, damn, his ass hurt. A few attempts later he managed to sit, and the first thing he did was hold Jian Yi's hand, tightening the grip, afraid. He feared Jian Yi was going to vanish once again. He feared Jian Yi was going to get up and leave him. But above all, he feared it was just a dream.

"I owe you an explanation."

Those were his words.

Zhan Zheng Xi smiled awkwardly, turning his head to face Jian Yi's. He shook it lightly, his lips on a thin line, as if he was holding tears. God, he was.

"Let me speak first." He said. "Two things. There are two things I need to tell you."

"Go ahead."

"The first one is 'I'm sorry'." The tears started to fall shyly. If they weren't wet, Jian Yi wouldn't notice Zhan Zheng Xi was crying. "I'm sorry for everything. I disappointed you so many times, and yet you kept on trusting me. I'm sorry for realizing too late. I should've been able to help you."

Jian Yi was unable to hold back and his tears found their way out as well.

"The second one, Jian Yi…" Zhan Zheng Xi took a very deep breath, so he wouldn't stutter, not even a tiny bit. "I love you too. Well… I mean… If you still love me, of course."

"I do." Jian Yi whispered. He tangled his fingers on his blond locks, trying to fix his now messy hair. "Do you want to clean up this mess or hear me out first?"

"It's not like the showers are going to run away from us." Zhan Zheng Xi smiled sheepishly, his face wet and his eyes red.

"They had me under a leash."

"Who are they?"

"My parents. The fucking jerks weren't enemies. I knew my mother was lying to me, the first time I asked her about everything. I just didn't know she was lying that much, you know?"

"I actually don't, Jian Yi."

"She said she wanted to protect me from my father, because she didn't want me to get hurt. Bull fucking shit."

"What did she want, then?"

"According to her, make me stronger. Test my limits so I could run the business without being traumatized. Good fucking job, I must say, I got fucked up anyway."

"You sure are cussing way more than before."

"I'm sorry."

"I wasn't complaining. Keep going."

"I'm sorry." He repeated. Upon receiving a confused look from Zhan Zheng Xi, Jian Yi decided to explain. "I was able to walk and talk properly by the second week of treatment."

"What?" The brunet's eyes widened.

"She said she'd kill you if I told you, so I had to act as I was still messed up. That's why I said they had me under a leash. That's why I tried to-" He couldn't finish his sentence.

"You tried to tell me with your eyes. And I was too damn retarded to realize."

"It's not your fault, Zhan Xixi." The hand holding his own shivered and Jian Yi squeezed it a bit. "Well, at the end she took me away to learn everything about the amazing mafia world." He tone was completely sarcastic.

"How it was?"

"A fucking nightmare." Jian Yi's head rested on Zhan Zheng Xi's shoulder. "And I owe you another apologize."

"Why?"

"Because I forgot you." The blond sighed, nuzzling his face on the curve of the brunet's neck. "I got mad." Zhan Zheng Xi's hand let go of Jian Yi's and he used his now free arm to hug the blond. "I know it sounds cliché, Zhan Xixi, but I've seen things, I've done things."

"Y-you…" Zhan Zheng Xi stuttered. "Have you killed?"

Nodding, Jian Yi said. "Just don't ask me how many, you'd be disappointed with me and that's the last thing I want right now."

"They made you do it."

"At the beginning. I don't rely on them anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you really think I would be here if my folks were still in charge?" Jian Yi raised his face once more, staring deeply at Zhan Zheng Xi's grey eyes. "I erased every single bit of power they had, Zhan Xixi. Both 14K and Sun Yee On are mine now. And I don't even regret it."

"Why did you come back?"

"I had a relapse. I forgot about everything and everybody. But when I noticed people didn't respect me, that they feared me, I felt lonely. I missed you. I missed the old times. It was too late to come back to it, though."

"They still fear you?"

"No." He shook his head lightly. "Not anymore. I must have changed a lot, and I mean it, I'm not even a little like I was before, but I'm not a bad person. Not as bad as my parents, at least."

"You're not good either."

"Yeah. But the point is, Zhan Xixi, now I'm in charge, so I came back. I'm going to graduate here, just as I promised I would, and nothing is going to get in our way ever again."

"I hope so." Zhan Zheng Xi chuckled. "You are still bleeding, though. What the hell happened?"

"Oh. That little bitch, He Qiang. As soon as I took over the triads he deserted."

"Now you got me confused, I thought he had deserted already, when he kidnapped you and Redhead."

"Redhead! God damn it! I owe him the biggest of the biggest apologies."

"I'm sorry?"

"Long story short: He Qiang never betrayed my father, Tai Huen Chai was just a cover. She Li was being used and I was the main target. Redhead wasn't supposed to be kidnapped that day, only me."

"Why did they get him?"

"Because He Qiang liked playing with He Tian. But I'm going to apologize tomorrow, because I'm up to something else right now."

"What are you up to?"

Jian Yi showed two fingers and bit his lower lip. "Round two?"

"I really need to wear those?" Jian Yi pouted, even though he knew Zhan Zheng Xi couldn't see it. He was wearing a beanie, sunglasses and a scarf, the last one covering his face up to his nose. "It's fucking scorching outside."

"Your body build is a little different, but your face still the same. If you want to surprise them, that's the best way."

"I'm melting. Seriously. I'm going to die."

"Stop bitching and let's go. Redhead sent me a message telling me they are at the cafeteria."

"Did you answer him?"

"I said I was on my way."

Zhan Zheng Xi didn't let Jian Yi say anything else, and started dragging the blond man through the corridors. Their fingers were entwined as the brunet led the way. They climbed the stairs down, walked out of the dorms building and soon they were entering the huge cafeteria. Spotting Redhead was an easy task, so it didn't take long for him and Jian Yi to sit at their table.

"Good morning, Zhan Zheng Xi." He Tian's smirk was beyond creepy, and the brunet couldn't help but feel a shiver down his spine. "You know how the news spread fast, right?"

"News?"

"A lot of people witnessed you making out with a bleeding dude." Redhead said nonchalant.

"Oh." His mouth was in the perfect shape of an 'o'. Jian Yi was trying his best to not laugh at loud.

"Who's the weirdo?" He Tian asked pointing at Jian Yi. He couldn't see, but he sure felt the ice cold glare the blond sent to him.

"That's my new roommate. He was eager to know you two. The loudest couple in the dorms." Ah, he just needed to tease.

Jian Yi looked at Zhan Zheng Xi with a hand over his covered mouth. He knew they were together, but those details weren't told.

"Oh my." And when he realized, he had already spoken. And two pairs of wide eyes were staring at him. "I guess I screwed up." He shrugged, receiving a slap on the back of his head. He took off the scarf, sunglasses and beanie, smiling openly at the flabbergasted men. "I'm the bleeding dude, nice to meet you."

"J-j-j-j-j-j-jian Yi?"

"Come on, Redhead, it is not like you are seeing a ghost. OH MY GOD, IS IT?"

"You did vanish for almost three years, Jian Yi."

"I wasn't dead, Zhan Xixi."

"But we thought you could be." He Tian leaned his chin on his palm. "We weren't able to contact you, and you didn't contact us either."

"It was not like I didn't want to. By the way, I killed your brother yesterday." He said it like he was talking about the weather.

Redhead, that was sipping his water, spit everything out.

"I thought 14K had taken care of it already, back then." And He Tian was as indifferent as Jian Yi.

"In our dreams, He Tian, in our dreams. I had to take care of it myself. That's why I was bleeding, Zhan Xixi. I just noticed I didn't tell you yesterday. We had a clash with He Tian's gang. It was hideous."

"Can I imply you took over the business?"

"Sure." He answered, raising both of his sleeves, showing his tattoos.

"What about your parents?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "Maybe rotting in some filthy ditch. I don't really care."

Redhead was getting more and more stunned.

"You know, Redhead, my parents aren't good people. You don't need to feel sorry for them, they deserved it."

"Who are you?" Guan Shan muttered. "You aren't Jian Yi."

"Oh, no, I am indeed not. I'm the improved version. The not weak one. I bet I would kick your ass in a fight right now."

As Redhead was about to retort, a small group of five guys approached their tables. By the look on their faces, they surely meant trouble. One of them – probably the leader – sat on the table, right by Jian Yi's side, and grinned.

"Look what we got here, the four fags together." Jian Yi raised a brow at the man's comment. "Are you guys going to do a little party when you leave the cafeteria?" He snorted.

Jian Yi got up slowly, taking his time. He cracked his knuckles and faced the man, smiling widely. His index finger traced the man's jawline, and he could feel him tremble under his touch. But what was making him so afraid wasn't the cold digit on his face, no. It was surely that sly foxy grin, combined with his slitted eyes. Jian Yi looked like a predator about to pounce on his prey.

"I'm afraid what I do isn't of your concern, underling." The last word was nothing more than hiss. The blond quickly grabbed the man's hand a showed his friends sitting at the table the '14' carved on his skin. "I'm Jian fucking Yi, scum. You mess with them, you're dead."

The five men darted out from the cafeteria almost pissing themselves. With a victorious smirk, Jian Yi sat at the table again. At that point, even He Tian was shocked. Jian Yi only shrugged – he was doing that a lot lately – and turned to look at Zhan Zheng Xi. The brunet was slightly uncomfortable. The blond leaned in and pecked at his boyfriend's lips.

"That's the best part of being the boss. Very few know my face, so when they actually encounter me on an unpleasant situation. Man, it's delightful."

"Remind me to not bother you. Ever."

And then the four men laughed. Out loud.

A/N: That's it, sweeties, it's over 3

Pop's out for good!