Addicted: Book One - The Inquietude of Youth (1-44)

Chapter 28: When attitude began to change

Translate: Estreline | Edit: sono-morfino, Blue Blossoms

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Two classes had passed yet none had seen hair or hide of Gu Hai, or heard about his whereabouts. During break time, everyone talked about Gu Hai's fate, while Bai Luo Yin lay slouching on his desk, his eyes wide open.

When it was time to go home, Bai Luo Yin immediately gathered his school bag and walked out from the backdoor. He went straight to the security department office.

Bai Luo Yin had already thought of what to do should push come to shove. If something bad were to happen to Gu Hai, he would swallow his pride and seek help from Jiang Yuan. Although he wasn't fond of the guy, Gu Hai had become a scapegoat because of him. If Gu Hai hadn't attacked the person on Bai Luo Yin's behalf, he would've been the one who's being interrogated right now.

Bai Luo Yin was in deep thought as he went down the stairs; the scene of Gu Hai giving Wu Fang a good beating replaying in his head over and over again.

So lost in thoughts, he didn't notice the person standing in front of him.

"Why did you come here?"

Bai Luo Yin stopped abruptly and saw Gu Hai standing at the end of the stairs.

Neither of them moved. They stared at each other, a meter distance between them. This was the first time Bai Luo Yin looked at Gu Hai in a new light.

"Are you... going back to collect your things?" Bai Luo Yin asked.

Gu Hai climbed up two steps, looking relaxed. "How do you know so much about me?"

"Are you still able to come back?"

"Still come back for what?"

Bai Luo Yin's expression changed. He grabbed Gu Hai's arm, his face showing anxiety.

"This is all my fault. I will find someone to get you out of this mess."

Gu Hai was silent for a while and suddenly laughed.

"What are you talking about? I'm going home to eat, sleep, and tomorrow I will come back to school. Which mess are you going to get me out from?"

Bai Luo Yin's thoughts were rushing and tripping over, but hearing Gu Hai's words, his nervousness, and anxiety suddenly disappeared.

"How come nothing's happened to you?"

Gu Hai chuckled. "Why, do you want something to happen to me?"

Bai Luo Yin didn't say a word.

Gu Hai patted his shoulder, "I'm going, okay? I just came back here to pick up my things."

"Wait."

Gu Hai felt Bai Luo Yin clutching at his arm tightly, "What's wrong? You still don't believe me? If I say it's okay, then it really is okay."

"It's not like that."

Bai Luo Yin quickly took off Gu Hai's bloodstained coat and then took off his own coat too, handing it to Gu Hai.

"Just wear this to the class."

After he finished speaking, Bai Luo Yin left.

Gu Hai put on the uniform coat that was riddled with holes. He stood still on the stairs for a long time. For a person eternally adorned with a scowl, Bai Luo Yin's uniform was very fragrant.

Bai Luo Yin walked home coatless. The wind was blowing strongly that evening and it was quite cold, he couldn't help but rub his arms. After crossing one block, one auntie who was sweeping the streets saw Bai Luo Yin freezing. She was familiar with all the students who went to school. Something tugged at her heart and she offered to Bai Luo Yin, "You can wear one of my coats and return it back."

"I'm fine, auntie, I can just run and then I won't feel cold anymore."

"Oh, okay.... Just be careful of the cars on the street!"

Passing a crossroad, where Bai Luo Yin should've turned west, his foot turned to the north sidewalk instead. It was rush hour and people were getting off from work. Amidst the sea of people, standing still in bustling crowd Bai Luo Yin suddenly felt cold and lonely.

"Your classmate Bai Luo Yin, is a bastard. His mother gave birth to him but did not raise him."

...............

Although Wu Fang had already been taught a sound lesson by Gu Hai, Bai Luo Yin would remember those words forever.

Gu Hai went home by taxi; they stopped at the traffic light when he saw Bai Luo Yin. He was easily recognizable even from behind, especially as Bai Luo Yin wasn't wearing his uniform jacket. He had a handsome figure and neat steps, he really stood out even in the midst of a huge crowd.

" Mister, could you please stop the car in front of that corner?"

"Okay."

Gu Hai got off from the taxi and walked behind Bai Luo Yin. He wanted to know what Bai Luo Yin was up to this late instead of going home.

They passed by a lot of streets, the sky was already growing dark when Bai Luo Yin stopped in front of a food stall.

"Boss, give me 5 bottles of beers, 20 pork skewers, 5 beef tendons, 5 chicken gristles, 3 fish skewers...."

Bai Luo Yin rattled off all the food items he wanted to eat, and then found himself a place to sit. Soon, the beer came to his table and Bai Luo Yin immediately took a bottle and drank in big gulps. He then slowly began to crack open the peanuts.

"You ordered so much food for yourself, can you finish them all?"

When he heard the familiar voice, Bai Luo Yin gazed up to see Gu Hai standing in front of him. The calm expression remained on his face, although Bai Luo Yin was still dubious about Gu Hai's claim of not receiving any punishment, he saw no signs of worry on Gu Hai's face.

"Boss, give me another set of bowl and chopsticks!" Bai Luo Yin shouted.

Gu Hai smiled happily, "My slave-life has finally ended!"

Bai Luo Yin drank two mouthfuls of beer, his tone lacking its usual sting and indifference, "If you want something cheaper, then go somewhere else."

Gu Hai just remained silent, picking up a pork skewer and took a bite. It actually tasted pretty good.

He had always thought that food from the roadside stalls was very dirty. But now that he's sitting here, looking at the lively and messy scene around him, it unexpectedly made him feel really hungry.