Chapter 10 Liberation

Chapter 10 Liberation

These past few days, Qin Zhan hadn't been to school. He had been working various jobs to gather money for his loan repayments. With good grades and an easy time learning new things, coupled with his lack of presence at school, some teachers didn't even notice whether he attended classes or not, and those who did often turned a blind eye.

When he returned to school, he kept hearing people talk about Bai Ling and Zhou Liao being together. However, most of the discussions were complaints, saying that no one had ever heard of Bai Ling and wondering how such an ordinary-looking girl could end up with Zhou Liao.

He stared at the blackboard, which had little writing on it, ignoring the gossip around him. It wasn't until the teacher closed the book and announced the class was over that he packed his bag and left.

Bai Ling, wearing a long dress, waited for him at the corner of the back door. As soon as she saw him, she waved and called his name softly. A few passersby in the hallway occasionally glanced their way.

"Qin Zhan." Bai Ling noticed the new bruises on his exposed skin and couldn't help but feel heartbroken. "I sent you messages, but you never replied. So I said I'd wait for you after class."

She handed him a bag. "Mom said it's changing seasons soon and is worried you might catch a cold."

Qin Zhan didn't take it, but Bai Ling insisted, pushing it into his hands. "Please take it. If I don't give it to you, I'll get scolded when I go home."

"Thanks."

"It's nothing." Bai Ling looked at the injuries on Qin Zhan's face. "Why haven't your injuries healed? Have you been bullied?"

After saying this, Bai Ling felt it was unlikely. Qin Zhan was known for his sullen and silent demeanor, barely interacting with anyone. She couldn't imagine him having any conflicts with others.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend... If you're in trouble, please tell us." She sniffled, looking at the new bruises below his chest. "Mom would be sad to see you like this."

"It's nothing." Qin Zhan pulled up the collar of his jacket.

Seeing he didn't want to talk about it, Bai Ling didn't press further. Like her mother, she had a compassionate nature, especially since Qin Zhan's hardships and experiences were beyond what most peers could imagine. She always wanted to help him within her means.

"Also, thank your mom for her kindness, but there's no need to send anything else. I have enough clothes."

"This isn't expensive! It's just..." Bai Ling swallowed her words, "It's something someone gave me, and Mom thought you could use it too."

Qin Zhan remained silent. Bai Ling's phone beeped twice, and when she answered it, she smiled shyly. Qin Zhan watched her, his eyes darkening. He waited until she hung up before speaking.

"Is it Zhou Liao?"

This was the second time Qin Zhan had initiated a conversation with her, and it was about Zhou Liao. Bai Ling nervously twirled her hair and nodded.

"...Are you two together now?"

Bai Ling felt uneasy, remembering that she had told Qin Zhan they were just classmates last time.

"Well, yeah. He asked me out mid-week, and I... accepted. I know it's fast, but..."

Qin Zhan slightly narrowed his eyes, his thoughts unreadable.

Bai Ling knew the relationship had developed quickly and abruptly. Even her roommates said Zhou Liao was just playing around, mentioning his past relationships and his reputation as a playboy. But in her interactions with him, she found Zhou Liao to be different.

Initially, they didn't know each other, but Zhou Liao still helped her. He walked her back to her dorm, took her home, and they went out for meals and walks. He accompanied her to a cat café and bought her cosmetics and dolls she wanted. Even in their conversations, he was considerate and respectful.

Through these interactions, she learned about Zhou Liao's loneliness and lack of affection, realizing his life wasn't as happy as one might think from his wealthy background. This made her feel more sympathetic towards him.

"Actually, he's not the person everyone says he is. He's really nice."

Qin Zhan's eyelid twitched.

"He treats me well, and we're just seeing how it goes." Bai Ling blushed. "Don't worry; if anything feels off, I won't continue."

"Have you considered why he chose to be with you?"

Bai Ling paused, her expression turning grim. She knew she wasn't as attractive as the girls around Zhou Liao, and their backgrounds were vastly different. Their connection started with returning clothes, and Zhou Liao's sudden interest raised questions, but in love, she focused on the present.

"I don't need you to worry about that."

The empty corridor echoed with a casual male voice.

Qin Zhan lifted his gaze as a tall figure emerged from the corner. The person had one hand in his pocket and the other on Bai Ling's shoulder.

"Why do I like her? I'll tell her myself," Zhou Liao said gently, looking at Bai Ling. Then he turned to Qin Zhan with a mix of challenge and amusement. "Or do you have some unique insight?"

Caught between the two boys, Bai Ling felt uncomfortable. Her intuition told her there was tension between them. For a moment, she wondered if Qin Zhan's sensitivity to Zhou Liao's name was related to his injuries.

But she quickly dismissed the idea. These two seemed like parallel lines that would never intersect—one invisible, the other well-known. Zhou Liao wasn't known for violence, and Qin Zhan barely interacted with anyone. Perhaps Qin Zhan was just concerned.

"No insights." Qin Zhan spoke, his eyes on Bai Ling. "You forgot."

Bai Ling didn't expect Qin Zhan to be so direct in front of Zhou Liao. Her face paled, but Zhou Liao gently leaned down to ask, "Honey, what's he talking about?"

"Nothing."

"Hey, what happened to your injuries?" Zhou Liao changed the subject. "Did someone hit you?"

Qin Zhan stared at Zhou Liao without emotion.

Zhou Liao deliberately probed Qin Zhan, knowing he wouldn't say anything. He stepped forward, pretending to care, and pulled open Qin Zhan's collar, ignoring his stiffness.

"You should go to the hospital. You're badly bruised here. Let me drive you." Zhou Liao blinked. "As Bai Ling's friend, I can't let her friend suffer like this."

Bai Ling hadn't expected Zhou Liao to bring it up. She was already worried about Qin Zhan's injuries, and now that someone was offering help, it might be for the best. She gently tugged at Qin Zhan's sleeve. "Go, Qin Zhan. It's been two weeks... It's getting worse."

Zhou Liao tightened his grip on Qin Zhan's hand, but his words were full of concern. "Come on, classmate. Your family would be worried seeing you like this."

Thinking of Qin Zhan's family situation, Bai Ling felt a deep sadness. Du Li had shared many stories, and she had seen firsthand how difficult Qin Zhan's life was. She genuinely hoped he would be safe and healthy, especially given his struggles with his grandmother. She didn't want him to be subjected to such violence. With Zhou Liao's help, things might improve.

More people were looking their way. Qin Zhan lowered his gaze, his long lashes hiding his cold eyes.

"I have work later. No need to bother you."

"How could you call it a bother? Helping your partner's friend is only natural."

"… I can handle it myself."

"My car is just up ahead. The hospital is only twenty minutes away. Going is better than not going, right?" Zhou Liao said with a smile, but he stepped forward and lowered his voice by Qin Zhan's ear, "Do you want Bai Ling to know about her father?"

"Is this amusing to you?" Qin Zhan also kept his voice at its lowest.

"Of course." Zhou Liao grinned, revealing a sinister smile.

Human nature is inherently evil; it's just a matter of who triggers it. Those in power see bullying as nothing more than a game of fighting crickets in a cage, a way to alleviate the boredom of their mundane lives.

"So, getting in the car?"

Qin Zhan knew that waiting for him was not the hospital, but another round of entertainment-like violence, endless humiliation and embarrassment, the trampling of his dignity, forcing him to lick spilled alcohol off the ground, smashing broken glass bottles on his back, letting tiny shards embed into his flesh.

He knew, but it didn't matter. The snowball, stained with black ink, grew larger and larger. The process of being abused instead gave him an eerie sense of pleasure.

Standing in the light, amidst the hazy smoke of the private room, Zhou Liao's raised chin exuded a wild and unrestrained arrogance, while beneath his feet lay a self like a rat peeking out from a sewer. Every time he repeatedly lost consciousness and woke up amid the continuous violence, Qin Zhan felt a sense of dismemberment, making him tremble uncontrollably in pain.

Shards of broken bottles scattered on the floor, the metallic taste of blood flooding his mouth, the glaring neon lights overhead, the countdown to the loan repayment date, the overdue dialysis fees.

Zhou Liao squatted down lightly, forcefully pulling Qin Zhan's lips apart with his thumb and pouring the last drop of alcohol into his throat. Then he saw the seemingly unconscious person curl the corners of his lips into a smile. On that expressionless face, it exuded a chilling and eerie feeling.