Chapter 92: Turmoil 5

Chapter 92: Turmoil 5

The next day, in a small conference room at Gu Jiabei's sports arena, Yun He finally laid eyes on the person he had despised the most during his teenage years—Zhao Ming.

After so many years, Yun He could barely recognize Zhao Ming. The man seemed to be worn down by life and the online harassment, lacking the energy to give Yun He or Gu Jiabei a proper glance when he sat down.

"Zhao Ming," Yun He spoke first.

Only then did Zhao Ming lift his gaze to meet Yun He's, a cryptic smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You still remember me?"

"What you've done is not easily forgotten," Yun He said calmly. "I thought after all these years, you would have learned to repent, but it seems your nature remains unrepentant."

"I just feel disgusted by you homosexuals. What's wrong? Am I wrong?" Zhao Ming's expression became sinister. "Don't think that I will be afraid of you just because you used Zheng Han's matter to scare me. Yun He, I tell you, Zheng Han's death has nothing to do with me!"

Zhao Ming abruptly rose from his chair, fixing Yun He and Gu Jiabei with a fierce gaze. "Not exposing your photos back then is the one thing I regret the most in my entire life! And there is no other!"

"What photo?" Gu Jiabei furrowed his brow.

Zhao Ming froze, then burst into laughter. "You didn't know? How amusing. Yun He, with all your capabilities, how could you hide it from him for so long? But no matter how capable you are, what can it change? You'll be a cripple who loves men for the rest of your life!"

"Zhao Ming, you're courting death!" Gu Jiabei rose to his feet, approached Zhao Ming, and grabbed his collar, his eyes flashing with icy contempt. "I didn't invite you here today to listen to your ravings."

"So, what do you want to hear?" Zhao Ming sneered. "Do you want me to apologize? Dream on! The ones who should be apologizing are you!"

"A teacher who is a role model for others is actually a homosexual, and he also kidnapped his own students! He deceives his superiors and subordinates! Bah! It is you, Yun He, who should die! It is you who should be cursed every night! Why should it be me! Why should Zheng Han's death be blamed on me! Yun He, you are a fucking villain, you are the one who-"

"Silence!" Gu Jiabei grasped Zhao Ming's collar with one hand and swung a punch toward his cheek, his gaze filled with uncontrollable fury at the increasingly deranged Zhao Ming. "What the hell are you spouting, you damn fool?"

"Gu Jiabei, let him go." Yun He approached and gently patted Gu Jiabei's arm, gesturing for him to release his hold.

Gu Jiabei released his grip, and Zhao Ming wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"So it was out of fear and guilt that you orchestrated this, Zhao Ming. It seems you haven't had peace these years," Yun He said.

"Nonsense!" Zhao Ming flatly denied it.

Yun He offered a calm smile and said, "You are trying to prove the shame of homosexuality, attempting to tell everyone how disgusting and outrageous it is, how it goes against the natural order. Why? Do you think that by doing so, Zheng Han's death has nothing to do with you? Is it the unified standard of public criticism that killed him, rather than your trivial, childish, and despicable actions, right?"

"Yet, Zhao Ming, how does it feel when the entire world turns against your kin? Does it still seem justified to you, using the very sword you once pointed at others, now directed at your own brother? Do you still see no fault in your past actions?" Yun He moved closer to Zhao Ming, his demeanor composed yet ominously compelling. "Every debt, sooner or later, comes full circle. Do you understand that?"

"Your actions are a classic case of reaping what one sows, but it's a pity for your brother, who already has enough troubles of his own. You insist on involving him just to strike at me. You've ruined Zheng Han and now you want to destroy the next Zhao Mou," Yun He said coldly, looking at Zhao Ming, "You are truly beyond redemption, a fool through and through."

When Zhao Ming departed, his expression was somewhat dazed. Yun He could only recall the gaze he had given before leaving, a mix of regret and confusion. At this point, Yun He no longer desired to argue with him about right and wrong.

Yun He slumped weakly into a chair, and Gu Jiabei approached to massage his shoulders. "Are you really determined to go through with this?"

" Hmm," Yun He closed his eyes, savoring Gu Jiabei's massage. "Just send it like that. I'm tired, could you post it for me?"

"Alright." Gu Jiabei took Yun He's phone, which was on the conference table, and opened his social platform.

A minute later, a new social media update appeared before countless users online.

"The essence of youth lies in the very fact that there's still time to remain courageous."

Accompanying the post was a group photo of Yun He with his classmates. The faces of the other students were blurred, leaving only Yun He and Zhao Mou in sharp focus. Yun He stood beside Zhao Mou, laughing heartily as he playfully hooked his arm around Zhao Mou's shoulder. In contrast, Zhao Mou stood tall and straight, offering a shy, bashful smile towards the camera.

In the frame, the sunlight was radiant, and the young spirits were at their prime.

Upon its posting, comments flooded in.

"What's going on here? A century's great reconciliation? Shaking hands and making peace? Forgetting about Zhao Mou and his mother fabricating stories?"

"The teacher is truly exceptional. The beauty of youth lies in the courage to keep going. Ponder this, savor it – what courage are we talking about? Encouraging Zhao Mou to embrace his sexual orientation!"

"Braving cyberbullying?"

"Let's all disperse. If the parties involved aren't fighting, why are you idle spectators so concerned?"

"Ai, what a wonderful teacher, so charismatic, tsk tsk tsk."

"I wish I could have a Teacher Yun too! Not some middle-aged, greasy man!"

"Goodness gracious, what a plot twist! I was looking forward to the intense conflict later on! Are they just going to let it slide like that? Don't Zhao Mou and his mother need to clarify or apologize?"

"Teacher Yun is so wonderful, oh my... why didn't I have a Teacher Yun in my youthful years!"

"Gu Yun is awesome! I'll say it only once!"

As an experienced translator of both Chinese and English novels, specializing in the realm of danmei fiction, I approach the task of translating such works with sensitivity and grace, preserving the essence of the genre while rendering it accessible to English readers. However, without the actual text to translate, I am unable to provide you with a sample translation. If you could provide me with the specific passage or content you wish to have translated, I would be delighted to demonstrate how I would translate it, ensuring the translation captures the beauty and nuance of the original danmei elements.

...

Yun He and Gu Jiabei didn't bother to read the comments. They had done all they could at this point.

"Someday, time will wash away everything. There'll be another topic to divert their attention," Yun He said helplessly.

"But those bloggers who started the rumors – our lawyers have already sent them legal notices. I'll make sure they learn their lesson," Gu Jiabei declared.

"Exactly, they must understand that the internet is not beyond the law!" Yun He stood up and pecked Gu Jiabei's cheek. "Alright, stop frowning, stop looking so serious, and don't be angry. Either smile or give me a kiss – pick one."

Gu Jiabei took a deep breath and smoothed his brows. "Then I choose..."

With his eyes closed, Yun He pouted his lips and leaned in toward Gu Jiabei's mouth.

Gu Jiabei's lips curved into a gentle smile, his eyes filled with tenderness. "I'll kiss you for a lifetime."

Their lips met, their hearts connected. The naive feelings from their youth, after all the ups and downs, had led them to this moment. A single kiss could never encompass it all.

They wanted to keep kissing, to kiss until the end of their days, until the world grew old.