Dijia sat quietly in the office for five minutes when a knocking sound came from outside the room.
Two security guards held up a slender arm, one on each side, and half dragged the young man to the room’s entrance.
The prison uniform was somewhat tattered due to whipping, and the poor-quality hemp fabric was stained with a mixture of mud, blood, and water.
The two guards stood at the door with Bai Lixin, not daring to lift their heads to look at the imposing figure above.
The man glanced at the dazed pale young man, “Why are you still standing outside? Bring him in.”
The guards hesitated but, under Dijia’s signal, awkwardly maneuvered the young man a couple of steps inside. One of them gathered the courage to ask, “Sir, where should we put him?”
This was the Lord Warden’s office, and the prison clothes were so dirty that placing him anywhere would soil the room.
The young man let out a soft hum unconsciously. His lips contrasted with the redness on his cheeks, and appeared as white as the snow falling outside the window.
The man glanced at him and averted his gaze. “Put him on the bed and get a brazier. Where’s the doctor?”
The guards were stunned for a moment, but they still respectfully placed the person on the big black bed as directed. “The doctor has been called; he should be here soon.”
Rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor, and as they approached, a man in a white coat hurriedly steadied himself against the door frame. “Sir, I’m here. Are you injured? Is there any discomfort?”
“It’s not me.” The man in military uniform gestured towards the only large bed in the room. “Go check on him, he’s sick.”
The doctor’s initially worried expression froze for a moment as he looked at the figure lying on the bed. With the obstruction of two guards, he could only vaguely see some details. When he saw the prison uniform, he furrowed his brows.
‘A criminal?
Why did a criminal appear in the Lord Warden’s office?’
When the guards asked him to go to the warden’s office for treatment, he thought it was the warden who was sick.
A mere prisoner lying on Lord Warden’s bed?
The doctor quickly suppressed his internal displeasure and calmly walked to the bedside, silently examining the patient.
The guards had already left the office at Dijia’s signal. The spacious room now only had the man in military uniform, the doctor, and the young man lying on the bed with dazed eyes.
Outside, the temperature had dropped to below minus ten degrees, and heavy snowflakes were falling from the sky, covering the vast land.
The heavy snow not only brought the vast white scenery, but also the extremely cold temperatures.
The guards returned with a steaming brazier according to Dijia’s instructions.
The man in military uniform always maintained a sitting posture, with his legs crossed and his eyes scrutinizing the two people on the bed.
The charcoal in the brazier made “crack-crack” sounds. The high temperature turned the charcoal from pitch black to fiery red, and the burned out and useless charcoal turned from fiery red into a pile of scattered ashes.
After awhile, the doctor who was busy at the bedside slowly stood up. “Sir, there’s nothing serious, just a bit of a cold. A shot will take effect immediately.”
“He seems to have not eaten for a while. That’s why he’s so weak now.”
“Don’t worry, sir. This prisoner is not in any life-threatening danger. Send him back to the cell, make sure he finishes his meal, and I guarantee he’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
The man in military uniform remained silent. He stood up from the sofa, walked to the bedside, and stared at the young man with his sharp eyes. His gaze slowly drifted down from the young man’s hair until it lingered on the whip marks that showed a tinge of red.
“What about his whip injuries? Does he need medication?”
The doctor hesitated for a moment but quickly replied, “Medication is optional. He has already been disinfected with saline, so there won’t be inflammation. At most, there might be some scars. For a grown man, a few scars won’t matter.”
The man: “…”
The doctor paused and continued, “Moreover, I know this person. He’s the thief who stole the Kiss of the Sun crown, right? For such a serious crime, it’s definitely a death penalty. Since he’s on the verge of death, it doesn’t matter how we handle him. As long as he hangs on, it’s fine.”
“You talk too much,” there was a flash of displeasure in the man’s eyes. “Do you really think his life is worthless? The disappearance of the Kiss of the Sun angered the queen. He is the only clue to finding it. If he dies, we will all be punished. Whether it’s fever-reducing medicine or treating scars, you must take care of him properly.”
A chill suddenly run down the doctor’s spine, and his body stiffened. “I… I understand, sir. It’s my incompetence. I’ll handle his wounds right away.”
After giving the young man a shot of fever-reducing medicine, the doctor took scissors from his toolbox and aimed them at the young man’s clothes.
He carefully cut the clothes around the young man’s wounds into pieces. After making a few cuts, he found that there were more wounds inside the clothes, so he simply used the scissors to cut all the tattered prison clothes into pieces, exposing the young man’s upper body.
The smooth skin was covered with intersecting red whip marks.
Latex gloves squeezed ointment onto the doctor’s fingertips, and he applied it carefully to the young man’s wounds.
The cool ointment stung the young man’s nerves, and the half-conscious young man instinctively let out a soft moan, and his face twisted in pain.
He looked weak and pitiful.
The man standing beside the bed like a peak had an inscrutable darkness in his eyes, coldly staring at the doctor’s hands.
The unavoidable gaze followed the doctor’s fingers, making the doctor nervous. Suddenly, he pressed hard on the young man’s wound, and the young man immediately emitted a suppressed low groan.
His wrist was suddenly seized with a grip as heavy as pliers. The man said in a cold voice, “Leave the ointment, and you go out.”
A powerful pressure suddenly struck. The doctor’s hand shook, and the metal tray on the bedside was accidentally knocked over, making a crisp sound.
The doctor looked up at the man above with a pale face. “Sir… sir, I apologize.”
The man released the doctor’s wrist. “Clumsy. Clean up your things.”
The doctor shrank his neck, bowed submissively, and began picking up the tools scattered on the floor. When he looked up again, he found the man had already sat by the bed, holding the ointment. It seemed he was preparing to apply it to the young man.
The doctor was startled and hurriedly said, “Sir, let me do it. He’s a dirty prisoner. It’s already a great honor for him to lie on your resting bed. How is he qualified for you to apply the medicine personally?”
“If I don’t apply the medicine, do you want your clumsiness to worsen the condition of this important criminal? I’ve said it before; he’s the only clue to finding the Kiss of the Sun. I don’t want his life, I want him to stay alive. I won’t hand such an important criminal to someone as incompetent as you. Understand? If you do, leave now. I don’t want to repeat myself.”
Gritting his teeth, the doctor finally didn’t say anything and bowed respectfully. “Sir, I’ll take my leave.”
The door opened and closed again. Now, the room only had the man in black military uniform and the weak young man on the bed.
The man glanced at Bai Lixin expressionlessly. After a few seconds, he took off his leather gloves and walked into the adjacent room.
Hearing the footsteps of the man leaving, the previously weak young man slowly opened his eyes.
His eyes were clear, and there was no confusion or weakness from before.
The sound of splashing water came from the small room next door.
Taking advantage of the man’s absence, Bai Lixin silently surveyed the room.
It was a large office, dominated by only black and white colors. At first glance, it gave the impression of entering an ominous room.
Black desk, black office chair, black sofa, black cabinet, black bed; even the sheets and pillows were black.
The entire room exuded two words: rigid and lifeless.
Bai Lixin’s gaze shifted to the window.
The black curtains were rolled up and hung on both sides. Outside the window, white snowflakes were drifting.
Looking out from here, a large courtyard could be seen, with a high wall in the distance.
The white snow on the wall, revealing the contrasting metal wires. The wall stood there silently and forcefully, proclaiming its dreadfulness.
It seemed like a forgotten area.
Depressing, empty.
There were only two colors, black and white.
The sound of splashing water stopped, and the crisp sound of leather shoes stepping on the ground rang out.
Bai Lixin retracted his gaze and closed his eyes.
The footsteps approached quickly, accompanied by the rustling sound of fabric. Then, a warm and soft sensation landed on Bai Lixin’s body.
The touch slowly meandered over him, startling Bai Lixin.
It turned out that Dijia, who had been busy inside, had soaked a towel in hot water to wipe his body.
With his eyes closed, Bai Lixin had lost the ability to perceive the outside world through sight, so all other senses were heightened.
The force applied was gentle, with the towel caring for every inch of his body.
Especially when it reached the location of the wound, he could feel the deliberate slowing down and gentleness in avoiding applying pressure.
A subtle smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth.
In this bitterly cold winter, this was truly a heartwarming gesture.
After wiping his upper body, the man applied ointment to his hands and then reapplied it to the young man’s body.
After the medicine was applied, he briefly checked the young man’s legs, and ignored them as he found no injuries there.
When everything was done, the man covered Bai Lixin with a blanket.
Passing by the brazier, he pondered for a moment and kicked it toward the bedside.
Then, the man returned to the sofa, his cold eyes staring at the bed through the quiet air, contemplating who knows what.
———————————–
In the live broadcast room.
[”If This Isn’t Love”]
[I picked sugar from a knife, and I ate it, everyone.]
[Bug boss: Although my gaze says I’m not interested in you, my body is honest.]
[Big boss: I just want to avoid punishment from the Queen, not because I care for my wife.]
[Capture the sugar, family.]
[Who would have thought, the big boss didn’t say a word, didn’t make any jokes, but I felt love in his actions.]
[So, what is the big boss thinking now?]
[I know, I know, he’s definitely thinking, “Why is this little demon’s body so beautiful?” “I saved him just because of the Queen’s command.” “I just can’t let him die.” “But why am I treating him so well?” “Could it be that I’ve fallen for him?” “Yes, I’ve fallen for him.”]
[Even the novel author wouldn’t dare to write this. Come on, here’s a pen for you; you write the script, and I want to see the finale tomorrow.]
[Another player has already been released from prison, and the other eight have started looking for evidence. Meanwhile, God Xin is here falling in love. Is there still time?]
[So what if they form a circle? When God Xin takes action, he’ll definitely overtake on the corners!]
——————————
Bai Lixin woke up to the smell of food.
Originally, he just wanted to pretend to be unconscious for a while, but under Dijia’s gentleness, he unintentionally fell asleep.
It was still daytime outside, and the snow outside the window seemed to have stopped, leaving only a vast expanse of white.
He looked out in confusion, only to see a meal cart placed not far from the head of the bed, with hot steam rising from the dishes.
On the bedside table, there was a neatly folded set of prison clothes.
“Awake?”
A low and emotionless voice echoed in the room. Bai Lixin followed the sound and saw Dijia sitting on the distant sofa, looking at him.
His black felt military coat had been removed at some point, and the black hat on his head hung on the clothes rack. Silver strands of hair complemented the white snow outside, shimmering with a colorful brilliance.
Bai Lixin was momentarily dazed, staring blankly at the silent man.
The man received no response, but his expression remained unchanged.
The man slowly stood up. The armed belt outlined the man’s figure—with his sturdy shoulders, slender waistline, and tall, well-proportioned figure, Bai Lixin couldn’t find a single flaw.
The man walked up to Bai Lixin, towering over him.
Just as Bai Lixin was in a trance, the man extended his hand. In a moment of bewilderment, Bai Lixin felt a rough touch on his forehead. Two seconds later, the man withdrew his hand, “Looks like the fever has subsided. Get dressed when you get up, and eat something, I have questions for you.”
The expression on his face did not change from beginning to end, maintaining a business-like demeanor.
Coming back to his senses, Bai Lixin said a “Thank you,” then obediently ate some food after putting on the clothes on the bedside table.
While Bai Lixin did this, the man remained seated on the sofa, continuously staring at him. The gaze lacked emotion, more akin to “surveillance” than mere scrutiny.
As minutes passed, the wall clock moved from twelve to twelve-thirty.
The man showed no urgency, quietly waiting for Bai Lixin to finish.
Only when Bai Lixin put down his chopsticks did the man continue, “Are you full?”
Bai Lixin nodded, “Yes, thank you.”
The man: “There’s no need to thank me. Ensuring the prisoner’s survival until I get the answers I seek is my principle. Finish eating, I have questions for you.”
Seeing the young man approaching, the man in military uniform reached out and casually picked up some documents from the coffee table, “What’s your name?”
“Bai Lixin.”
“Bai Lixin?” The man read the name and opened a notebook, “It says here your name is ‘Mr. X.’ Which name is real?”
Bai Lixin: “Both are correct. My official registration is ‘Mr. X,’ but you can call me ‘Bai Lixin.’”
Man: “Can I call you ‘Bai Lixin’? Is that another alias?”
Bai Lixin nodded, “Yes, only people I trust get to know this name.”
The man looked up at the young man; the thick eyelashes were like two small fans, partially concealing the bright and sincere gaze beneath, “Are you implying that I am someone you can trust?”
“Of course,” the young man smiled, “Didn’t you rescue me from the prison cell? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you. Your willingness to help me shows that you trust me, trust that I didn’t steal the Kiss of the Sun.”
The man assessed the young man before him, his sharp gaze moving inch by inch across his face, finally locking onto the other’s eyes. “I think you’ve misunderstood a bit. I’m not your ally, I’m your judge.”
“There is no need for these tricks, I’ve encountered many like you. They either disguise themselves with sincerity or use false lies to try to disrupt my judgment. But they picked the wrong opponent.”
“You, too.”
“I’m not helping you. I brought you here to treat you because you are an important prisoner. You still have value to me. Until I get the answers I want, I won’t let you die easily.”
“Moreover…” The man paused, a glint of coldness in his eyes. “I don’t like my interrogated prisoners carrying scars left by others. In comparison, I prefer to destroy my prisoners personally, watching them crumble from the healthiest state. That’s where my joy lies.”
“But one thing you said is correct. I do believe in you. I believe that in the coming days, you will bring a bit of a different joy to my dull life,” the man’s lips twitched, revealing the first smile so far, albeit an exceptionally icy one. “I hope you can endure a little longer and not let me lose this joy so soon.”
The expected fear did not appear on the young man’s face. Instead, he lifted a smile, “Sure, if it brings a bit of joy to your life, I’m happy to cooperate.”
Dijia’s gaze turned cold, and he examined the young man in front of him with sharp eyes.
He tried to find flaws or a hint of acting in the other person’s face and eyes, but in the end he found nothing.
The young man seemed… to be smiling from the bottom of his heart.
Dijia’s chin drooped slightly, and his long eyelashes concealed the confusion in his eyes.
‘What game is this person playing?’
“So, you neither admit to being the criminal nor want to tell me the whereabouts of the Kiss of the Sun?” After a long pause, Dijia raised his head again, his beautiful lips pursed into a straight line.
Bai Lixin: “There is another criminal, but I can help you find them, as long as you give me time.”
Dijia slammed the documents on the table with a “bang,” “It seems there’s no need to continue the conversation. Come with me.”
Seeing the man in military uniform stand up, Bai Lixin asked, “Where are we going?”
Dijia had already walked to the door and put on his black coat. He reached out and picked up his hat, then turned to Bai Lixin. The oversized coat enveloped the man’s entire body in a heavy black shadow. Standing in front of Bai Lixin, the man resembled a towering peak, exuding a majestic aura.
He looked down at him as he put on his hat, “Taking you to where you belong.”
…
Minutes later, Bai Lixin followed Dijia into a completely enclosed, pitch-black room.
This room was larger than other interrogation rooms, and its layout was different.
In addition to the familiar cross, various strange torture devices hung on the walls, each one seemingly unforgettable.
Perhaps out of Dijia’s habits, there was no one else in the room apart from the two of them, and no guards followed them.
The cold metal door closed behind them. Bai Lixin glanced at the cross, and asked uncertainly, “Are you going to tie me up? Or beat me?”
The man glanced at Bai Lixin, ”What, scared?”
The young man pursed his lips, and grievance flashed in his eyes, “Why can’t you believe I am not the thief? Why can’t you just let me explain?”
Dijia: “…”
A large hand rested on Bai Lixin’s shoulder, and the man said indifferently, “I’m not punishing you today. I brought you here to introduce you to the tools in this room.”
The hand slowly moved along Bai Lixin’s shoulder, and soon reached the young man’s slender neck. The black leather glove slid over the fair and delicate neck, finally landing on the young man’s chin.
Standing behind the young man, the man controlled his chin, forcing him to look directly ahead, “I want you to look not at this cross, but at the metal cylinder behind it.”
Forced to look at the strange torture device in the corner, Bai Lixin nodded.
That was a cylindrical device, taller than a person, resembling a large clock from the outside. In the middle of the cylinder, there was an open door, and from his perspective, he could see sharp, long spikes inside.
“This torture device is called the ‘Iron Maiden.’ The victim is locked inside, and as soon as the door closes, the spikes above will pierce the victim’s body. The victim will experience a hundredfold pain inside, but they usually won’t die.”
“These spikes are specially treated, they can penetrate deep enough to pierce the skin but not reach the vital organs.”
“But the victims still die. Do you know how they die?”
Bai Lixin blinked.
The man pinched Bai Lixin’s chin, his cold lips pressing against Bai Lixin’s ear, “They watch helplessly as their blood drains away, dying in excruciating pain and despair.”
The leather glove grazed the young man’s neck, and the man’s low voice came to his ear. The cold air blew onto Bai Lixin’s ears, making them itch.
‘So close.’
Bai Lixin’s heart skipped a beat, and he trembled involuntarily.
Sensing the young man’s trembles from fear, the man manipulated his chin with satisfaction, “Scared now? Do you want me to introduce you to some other toys? Every item in this room offers a similar experience to the ‘Iron Maiden,’ and no one walks away unscathed.”
He paused, looking down at the young man’s somewhat pale face and glistening eyes.
After a few seconds, the man patted the young man’s shoulder, “Your wounds haven’t healed yet. Today, I just wanted to say hello to them. Let’s go back.”
…
The doctor was preparing to find the warden.
After much thought, he decided to apologize to the Lord Warden and once again request to treat that prisoner.
No matter how he thought about it, he felt that the prisoner was not worthy of sleeping in the Lord Warden’s bed. Even if he was punished this time, he would insist on his opinion.
Dijia sat quietly in the office for five minutes when a knocking sound came from outside the room.
Two security guards held up a slender arm, one on each side, and half dragged the young man to the room’s entrance.
The prison uniform was somewhat tattered due to whipping, and the poor-quality hemp fabric was stained with a mixture of mud, blood, and water.
The two guards stood at the door with Bai Lixin, not daring to lift their heads to look at the imposing figure above.
The man glanced at the dazed pale young man, “Why are you still standing outside? Bring him in.”
The guards hesitated but, under Dijia’s signal, awkwardly maneuvered the young man a couple of steps inside. One of them gathered the courage to ask, “Sir, where should we put him?”
This was the Lord Warden’s office, and the prison clothes were so dirty that placing him anywhere would soil the room.
The young man let out a soft hum unconsciously. His lips contrasted with the redness on his cheeks, and appeared as white as the snow falling outside the window.
The man glanced at him and averted his gaze. “Put him on the bed and get a brazier. Where’s the doctor?”
The guards were stunned for a moment, but they still respectfully placed the person on the big black bed as directed. “The doctor has been called; he should be here soon.”
Rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor, and as they approached, a man in a white coat hurriedly steadied himself against the door frame. “Sir, I’m here. Are you injured? Is there any discomfort?”
“It’s not me.” The man in military uniform gestured towards the only large bed in the room. “Go check on him, he’s sick.”
The doctor’s initially worried expression froze for a moment as he looked at the figure lying on the bed. With the obstruction of two guards, he could only vaguely see some details. When he saw the prison uniform, he furrowed his brows.
‘A criminal?
Why did a criminal appear in the Lord Warden’s office?’
When the guards asked him to go to the warden’s office for treatment, he thought it was the warden who was sick.
A mere prisoner lying on Lord Warden’s bed?
The doctor quickly suppressed his internal displeasure and calmly walked to the bedside, silently examining the patient.
The guards had already left the office at Dijia’s signal. The spacious room now only had the man in military uniform, the doctor, and the young man lying on the bed with dazed eyes.
Outside, the temperature had dropped to below minus ten degrees, and heavy snowflakes were falling from the sky, covering the vast land.
The heavy snow not only brought the vast white scenery, but also the extremely cold temperatures.
The guards returned with a steaming brazier according to Dijia’s instructions.
The man in military uniform always maintained a sitting posture, with his legs crossed and his eyes scrutinizing the two people on the bed.
The charcoal in the brazier made “crack-crack” sounds. The high temperature turned the charcoal from pitch black to fiery red, and the burned out and useless charcoal turned from fiery red into a pile of scattered ashes.
After awhile, the doctor who was busy at the bedside slowly stood up. “Sir, there’s nothing serious, just a bit of a cold. A shot will take effect immediately.”
“He seems to have not eaten for a while. That’s why he’s so weak now.”
“Don’t worry, sir. This prisoner is not in any life-threatening danger. Send him back to the cell, make sure he finishes his meal, and I guarantee he’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
The man in military uniform remained silent. He stood up from the sofa, walked to the bedside, and stared at the young man with his sharp eyes. His gaze slowly drifted down from the young man’s hair until it lingered on the whip marks that showed a tinge of red.
“What about his whip injuries? Does he need medication?”
The doctor hesitated for a moment but quickly replied, “Medication is optional. He has already been disinfected with saline, so there won’t be inflammation. At most, there might be some scars. For a grown man, a few scars won’t matter.”
The man: “…”
The doctor paused and continued, “Moreover, I know this person. He’s the thief who stole the Kiss of the Sun crown, right? For such a serious crime, it’s definitely a death penalty. Since he’s on the verge of death, it doesn’t matter how we handle him. As long as he hangs on, it’s fine.”
“You talk too much,” there was a flash of displeasure in the man’s eyes. “Do you really think his life is worthless? The disappearance of the Kiss of the Sun angered the queen. He is the only clue to finding it. If he dies, we will all be punished. Whether it’s fever-reducing medicine or treating scars, you must take care of him properly.”
A chill suddenly run down the doctor’s spine, and his body stiffened. “I… I understand, sir. It’s my incompetence. I’ll handle his wounds right away.”
After giving the young man a shot of fever-reducing medicine, the doctor took scissors from his toolbox and aimed them at the young man’s clothes.
He carefully cut the clothes around the young man’s wounds into pieces. After making a few cuts, he found that there were more wounds inside the clothes, so he simply used the scissors to cut all the tattered prison clothes into pieces, exposing the young man’s upper body.
The smooth skin was covered with intersecting red whip marks.
Latex gloves squeezed ointment onto the doctor’s fingertips, and he applied it carefully to the young man’s wounds.
The cool ointment stung the young man’s nerves, and the half-conscious young man instinctively let out a soft moan, and his face twisted in pain.
He looked weak and pitiful.
The man standing beside the bed like a peak had an inscrutable darkness in his eyes, coldly staring at the doctor’s hands.
The unavoidable gaze followed the doctor’s fingers, making the doctor nervous. Suddenly, he pressed hard on the young man’s wound, and the young man immediately emitted a suppressed low groan.
His wrist was suddenly seized with a grip as heavy as pliers. The man said in a cold voice, “Leave the ointment, and you go out.”
A powerful pressure suddenly struck. The doctor’s hand shook, and the metal tray on the bedside was accidentally knocked over, making a crisp sound.
The doctor looked up at the man above with a pale face. “Sir… sir, I apologize.”
The man released the doctor’s wrist. “Clumsy. Clean up your things.”
The doctor shrank his neck, bowed submissively, and began picking up the tools scattered on the floor. When he looked up again, he found the man had already sat by the bed, holding the ointment. It seemed he was preparing to apply it to the young man.
The doctor was startled and hurriedly said, “Sir, let me do it. He’s a dirty prisoner. It’s already a great honor for him to lie on your resting bed. How is he qualified for you to apply the medicine personally?”
“If I don’t apply the medicine, do you want your clumsiness to worsen the condition of this important criminal? I’ve said it before; he’s the only clue to finding the Kiss of the Sun. I don’t want his life, I want him to stay alive. I won’t hand such an important criminal to someone as incompetent as you. Understand? If you do, leave now. I don’t want to repeat myself.”
Gritting his teeth, the doctor finally didn’t say anything and bowed respectfully. “Sir, I’ll take my leave.”
The door opened and closed again. Now, the room only had the man in black military uniform and the weak young man on the bed.
The man glanced at Bai Lixin expressionlessly. After a few seconds, he took off his leather gloves and walked into the adjacent room.
Hearing the footsteps of the man leaving, the previously weak young man slowly opened his eyes.
His eyes were clear, and there was no confusion or weakness from before.
The sound of splashing water came from the small room next door.
Taking advantage of the man’s absence, Bai Lixin silently surveyed the room.
It was a large office, dominated by only black and white colors. At first glance, it gave the impression of entering an ominous room.
Black desk, black office chair, black sofa, black cabinet, black bed; even the sheets and pillows were black.
The entire room exuded two words: rigid and lifeless.
Bai Lixin’s gaze shifted to the window.
The black curtains were rolled up and hung on both sides. Outside the window, white snowflakes were drifting.
Looking out from here, a large courtyard could be seen, with a high wall in the distance.
The white snow on the wall, revealing the contrasting metal wires. The wall stood there silently and forcefully, proclaiming its dreadfulness.
It seemed like a forgotten area.
Depressing, empty.
There were only two colors, black and white.
The sound of splashing water stopped, and the crisp sound of leather shoes stepping on the ground rang out.
Bai Lixin retracted his gaze and closed his eyes.
The footsteps approached quickly, accompanied by the rustling sound of fabric. Then, a warm and soft sensation landed on Bai Lixin’s body.
The touch slowly meandered over him, startling Bai Lixin.
It turned out that Dijia, who had been busy inside, had soaked a towel in hot water to wipe his body.
With his eyes closed, Bai Lixin had lost the ability to perceive the outside world through sight, so all other senses were heightened.
The force applied was gentle, with the towel caring for every inch of his body.
Especially when it reached the location of the wound, he could feel the deliberate slowing down and gentleness in avoiding applying pressure.
A subtle smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth.
In this bitterly cold winter, this was truly a heartwarming gesture.
After wiping his upper body, the man applied ointment to his hands and then reapplied it to the young man’s body.
After the medicine was applied, he briefly checked the young man’s legs, and ignored them as he found no injuries there.
When everything was done, the man covered Bai Lixin with a blanket.
Passing by the brazier, he pondered for a moment and kicked it toward the bedside.
Then, the man returned to the sofa, his cold eyes staring at the bed through the quiet air, contemplating who knows what.
———————————–
In the live broadcast room.
[”If This Isn’t Love”]
[I picked sugar from a knife, and I ate it, everyone.]
[Bug boss: Although my gaze says I’m not interested in you, my body is honest.]
[Big boss: I just want to avoid punishment from the Queen, not because I care for my wife.]
[Capture the sugar, family.]
[Who would have thought, the big boss didn’t say a word, didn’t make any jokes, but I felt love in his actions.]
[So, what is the big boss thinking now?]
[I know, I know, he’s definitely thinking, “Why is this little demon’s body so beautiful?” “I saved him just because of the Queen’s command.” “I just can’t let him die.” “But why am I treating him so well?” “Could it be that I’ve fallen for him?” “Yes, I’ve fallen for him.”]
[Even the novel author wouldn’t dare to write this. Come on, here’s a pen for you; you write the script, and I want to see the finale tomorrow.]
[Another player has already been released from prison, and the other eight have started looking for evidence. Meanwhile, God Xin is here falling in love. Is there still time?]
[So what if they form a circle? When God Xin takes action, he’ll definitely overtake on the corners!]
——————————
Bai Lixin woke up to the smell of food.
Originally, he just wanted to pretend to be unconscious for a while, but under Dijia’s gentleness, he unintentionally fell asleep.
It was still daytime outside, and the snow outside the window seemed to have stopped, leaving only a vast expanse of white.
He looked out in confusion, only to see a meal cart placed not far from the head of the bed, with hot steam rising from the dishes.
On the bedside table, there was a neatly folded set of prison clothes.
“Awake?”
A low and emotionless voice echoed in the room. Bai Lixin followed the sound and saw Dijia sitting on the distant sofa, looking at him.
His black felt military coat had been removed at some point, and the black hat on his head hung on the clothes rack. Silver strands of hair complemented the white snow outside, shimmering with a colorful brilliance.
Bai Lixin was momentarily dazed, staring blankly at the silent man.
The man received no response, but his expression remained unchanged.
The man slowly stood up. The armed belt outlined the man’s figure—with his sturdy shoulders, slender waistline, and tall, well-proportioned figure, Bai Lixin couldn’t find a single flaw.
The man walked up to Bai Lixin, towering over him.
Just as Bai Lixin was in a trance, the man extended his hand. In a moment of bewilderment, Bai Lixin felt a rough touch on his forehead. Two seconds later, the man withdrew his hand, “Looks like the fever has subsided. Get dressed when you get up, and eat something, I have questions for you.”
The expression on his face did not change from beginning to end, maintaining a business-like demeanor.
Coming back to his senses, Bai Lixin said a “Thank you,” then obediently ate some food after putting on the clothes on the bedside table.
While Bai Lixin did this, the man remained seated on the sofa, continuously staring at him. The gaze lacked emotion, more akin to “surveillance” than mere scrutiny.
As minutes passed, the wall clock moved from twelve to twelve-thirty.
The man showed no urgency, quietly waiting for Bai Lixin to finish.
Only when Bai Lixin put down his chopsticks did the man continue, “Are you full?”
Bai Lixin nodded, “Yes, thank you.”
The man: “There’s no need to thank me. Ensuring the prisoner’s survival until I get the answers I seek is my principle. Finish eating, I have questions for you.”
Seeing the young man approaching, the man in military uniform reached out and casually picked up some documents from the coffee table, “What’s your name?”
“Bai Lixin.”
“Bai Lixin?” The man read the name and opened a notebook, “It says here your name is ‘Mr. X.’ Which name is real?”
Bai Lixin: “Both are correct. My official registration is ‘Mr. X,’ but you can call me ‘Bai Lixin.’”
Man: “Can I call you ‘Bai Lixin’? Is that another alias?”
Bai Lixin nodded, “Yes, only people I trust get to know this name.”
The man looked up at the young man; the thick eyelashes were like two small fans, partially concealing the bright and sincere gaze beneath, “Are you implying that I am someone you can trust?”
“Of course,” the young man smiled, “Didn’t you rescue me from the prison cell? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you. Your willingness to help me shows that you trust me, trust that I didn’t steal the Kiss of the Sun.”
The man assessed the young man before him, his sharp gaze moving inch by inch across his face, finally locking onto the other’s eyes. “I think you’ve misunderstood a bit. I’m not your ally, I’m your judge.”
“There is no need for these tricks, I’ve encountered many like you. They either disguise themselves with sincerity or use false lies to try to disrupt my judgment. But they picked the wrong opponent.”
“You, too.”
“I’m not helping you. I brought you here to treat you because you are an important prisoner. You still have value to me. Until I get the answers I want, I won’t let you die easily.”
“Moreover…” The man paused, a glint of coldness in his eyes. “I don’t like my interrogated prisoners carrying scars left by others. In comparison, I prefer to destroy my prisoners personally, watching them crumble from the healthiest state. That’s where my joy lies.”
“But one thing you said is correct. I do believe in you. I believe that in the coming days, you will bring a bit of a different joy to my dull life,” the man’s lips twitched, revealing the first smile so far, albeit an exceptionally icy one. “I hope you can endure a little longer and not let me lose this joy so soon.”
The expected fear did not appear on the young man’s face. Instead, he lifted a smile, “Sure, if it brings a bit of joy to your life, I’m happy to cooperate.”
Dijia’s gaze turned cold, and he examined the young man in front of him with sharp eyes.
He tried to find flaws or a hint of acting in the other person’s face and eyes, but in the end he found nothing.
The young man seemed… to be smiling from the bottom of his heart.
Dijia’s chin drooped slightly, and his long eyelashes concealed the confusion in his eyes.
‘What game is this person playing?’
“So, you neither admit to being the criminal nor want to tell me the whereabouts of the Kiss of the Sun?” After a long pause, Dijia raised his head again, his beautiful lips pursed into a straight line.
Bai Lixin: “There is another criminal, but I can help you find them, as long as you give me time.”
Dijia slammed the documents on the table with a “bang,” “It seems there’s no need to continue the conversation. Come with me.”
Seeing the man in military uniform stand up, Bai Lixin asked, “Where are we going?”
Dijia had already walked to the door and put on his black coat. He reached out and picked up his hat, then turned to Bai Lixin. The oversized coat enveloped the man’s entire body in a heavy black shadow. Standing in front of Bai Lixin, the man resembled a towering peak, exuding a majestic aura.
He looked down at him as he put on his hat, “Taking you to where you belong.”
…
Minutes later, Bai Lixin followed Dijia into a completely enclosed, pitch-black room.
This room was larger than other interrogation rooms, and its layout was different.
In addition to the familiar cross, various strange torture devices hung on the walls, each one seemingly unforgettable.
Perhaps out of Dijia’s habits, there was no one else in the room apart from the two of them, and no guards followed them.
The cold metal door closed behind them. Bai Lixin glanced at the cross, and asked uncertainly, “Are you going to tie me up? Or beat me?”
The man glanced at Bai Lixin, ”What, scared?”
The young man pursed his lips, and grievance flashed in his eyes, “Why can’t you believe I am not the thief? Why can’t you just let me explain?”
Dijia: “…”
A large hand rested on Bai Lixin’s shoulder, and the man said indifferently, “I’m not punishing you today. I brought you here to introduce you to the tools in this room.”
The hand slowly moved along Bai Lixin’s shoulder, and soon reached the young man’s slender neck. The black leather glove slid over the fair and delicate neck, finally landing on the young man’s chin.
Standing behind the young man, the man controlled his chin, forcing him to look directly ahead, “I want you to look not at this cross, but at the metal cylinder behind it.”
Forced to look at the strange torture device in the corner, Bai Lixin nodded.
That was a cylindrical device, taller than a person, resembling a large clock from the outside. In the middle of the cylinder, there was an open door, and from his perspective, he could see sharp, long spikes inside.
“This torture device is called the ‘Iron Maiden.’ The victim is locked inside, and as soon as the door closes, the spikes above will pierce the victim’s body. The victim will experience a hundredfold pain inside, but they usually won’t die.”
“These spikes are specially treated, they can penetrate deep enough to pierce the skin but not reach the vital organs.”
“But the victims still die. Do you know how they die?”
Bai Lixin blinked.
The man pinched Bai Lixin’s chin, his cold lips pressing against Bai Lixin’s ear, “They watch helplessly as their blood drains away, dying in excruciating pain and despair.”
The leather glove grazed the young man’s neck, and the man’s low voice came to his ear. The cold air blew onto Bai Lixin’s ears, making them itch.
‘So close.’
Bai Lixin’s heart skipped a beat, and he trembled involuntarily.
Sensing the young man’s trembles from fear, the man manipulated his chin with satisfaction, “Scared now? Do you want me to introduce you to some other toys? Every item in this room offers a similar experience to the ‘Iron Maiden,’ and no one walks away unscathed.”
He paused, looking down at the young man’s somewhat pale face and glistening eyes.
After a few seconds, the man patted the young man’s shoulder, “Your wounds haven’t healed yet. Today, I just wanted to say hello to them. Let’s go back.”
…
The doctor was preparing to find the warden.
After much thought, he decided to apologize to the Lord Warden and once again request to treat that prisoner.
No matter how he thought about it, he felt that the prisoner was not worthy of sleeping in the Lord Warden’s bed. Even if he was punished this time, he would insist on his opinion.
