Chapter 14 – The Warehouse

Ignoring the middle-aged woman’s disappointed gaze, Qin Zhan quickly carried the black bag home.

As he approached the warehouse entrance, a neighborhood elder who recognized him casually asked, “Giving up on the warehouse?”

Qin Zhan turned his head.

“Oh, I noticed the windows have been pitch-black lately. Thought you’d moved out.”

“Curtains,” Qin Zhan replied tersely.

“Really?” The elder scratched his head. “Why get black curtains?”

Qin Zhan ignored him, and the elder, sensing his sinister aura, didn’t dare linger. He cast a furtive glance aside, muttering about what to eat tomorrow as he quickly shuffled away.

Once the elder was gone, Qin Zhan unlocked the warehouse door. A damp, musty odor immediately wafted out. He switched on the lights, revealing two steel plates bolted behind each black-taped window, ensuring a completely airtight seal.

He turned his phone’s music volume up to maximum, then stepped out of the warehouse, closed the door, and pressed his ear against the window. Not a sound of music escaped.

……

On Saturday, when Qin Zhan finished tutoring and emerged from his room, Bai Ling was nowhere to be seen.

Du Li was in the kitchen making drinks for them. Noticing Qin Zhan’s quick glance at the empty living room, she wiped her hands and said, “Bai Ling won’t be back today. She’s on a date.”

Qin Zhan frowned almost imperceptibly.

“You know him too. Bai Ling said he helped treat your wounds last time. She mentioned you two are good friends.”

Qin Zhan’s eyelid twitched.

“I told you last time she was seeing someone! She kept hiding it, but they’ve been together for months. Yesterday, that boy even drove her home.” Du Li’s face lit up with a smile. “He’s tall, handsome, and incredibly polite. Bai Ling says he treats her very well. You can tell he comes from a wealthy family—he was wearing all designer brands. Since it’s gotten chilly, he even offered Bai Ling a Max Mara coat, but she refused, saying it wouldn’t be right since she couldn’t afford to reciprocate with a gift of equal value.”

Perhaps realizing Qin Zhan’s silence, Du Li suddenly remembered his situation and felt she had spoken out of turn. “You’re tall and handsome too, and so talented! You’re bound to achieve great things in the future.”

After a long pause, Qin Zhan finally spoke. “Were they together yesterday too?”

“Mmm, probably out at the movies.”

No sooner had Du Li finished speaking than Qin Zhan received a text message from an unknown number: Darling, what are you planning to say to Bai Ling and her mother today?

Moments later, several photos arrived showing Bai Ling’s father with his mistress. Another message popped up: Should I tell her? Her mom’s a stay-at-home wife, and there’s a younger brother too. If her dad goes to jail, their family will be ruined. Who will help you then?

Qin Zhan lowered his gaze, staring at the messages on his screen without a flicker of emotion. He showed no curiosity about how the sender had obtained his phone number. After a moment, he looked up at Du Li. “Tell her to protect herself.”

“Huh?” Du Li blinked in surprise. Qin Zhan was usually silent and seemed devoid of emotion. For the first time, she sensed a hidden intensity in him, a secret concern for her daughter. She chuckled. “Of course! When girls are in love, protecting themselves is always the most important thing.”

“I meant, my relationship with that person isn’t good.”

After Qin Zhan left, Du Li pondered his words for a long time. The two sentences seemed completely unrelated, and Qin Zhan rarely volunteered such personal remarks. She couldn’t help but wonder what he meant.

At first, she even suspected Qin Zhan might be in love with Bai Ling, but his usual demeanor quickly dispelled that notion.

It wasn’t until her husband returned home that evening and she went to serve pear soup that it suddenly dawned on her: Had that boy been lying all along? Is that why he wanted Bai Ling to protect herself?

……

That night, Qin Zhan was hardly surprised when the bar manager, his face plastered with a fawning smile, called him to another VIP room.

Ollie, who was polishing glasses nearby, visibly flinched when he heard the room number. The mere mention of that name triggered a visceral fear in him.

The two hadn’t exchanged a word since that day. Ollie dared not approach Qin Zhan again, unable to forget the humiliating moment he was expressionlessly kicked aside. Nor could he erase the eerie, terrifying image of Qin Zhan carrying a dead cat. Moreover, he had lost all face to speak to Qin Zhan.

Hearing someone outside call for drinks, Ollie lowered his head and shuffled past Qin Zhan.

Entering the VIP room, he was immediately assaulted by thick cigarette smoke. The crowd was smaller than before, but the faces were familiar. Zhou Liao, lounging on the sofa with his legs crossed, still exuded an air of superiority. Seeing Qin Zhan enter, he smirked and leaned forward, stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray.

“What were you up to with Bai Ling that day?”

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t sound like nothing, does it?” Zhou Liao knew Qin Zhan couldn’t retaliate. “Hey, I’ve been a bit bored lately. Looks like your injuries have healed up nicely, haven’t they?”

Qin Zhan stared at him, silent.

“Go get that guy from last time.”

“Who?”

“The one who poured your drinks last time,” Zhou Liao chuckled. “Don’t worry, I won’t hit you. If I did, someone might get worried, and I’d have to spend money playing the good guy. Let’s find some other fun.”

Qin Zhan remained rooted to the spot, but Zhou Liao didn’t mind. He pressed the service bell, and the manager personally pushed open the VIP room door.

“Ah, Young Master Zhou, what’s the matter? Is there anything you need?”

Qin Zhan had never seen the manager so obsequious. Perhaps the manager had known everything since Zhou Liao bought him out last time.

“Bring over that skinny guy, the one with the pretty-boy looks.”

The manager racked his brain. “Ollie? He’s on shif—”

“I want him.”

“Of course, of course! I’ll get him right away.”

The manager didn’t even glance at Qin Zhan as he bowed and retreated, closing the door behind him. Soon, Ollie shuffled in, his head bowed so low his chin nearly touched his chest. All that was visible were the sharp ridge of his spine and the violently trembling shoulder blades.

Qin Zhan glanced at Ollie, his expression so calm it was like looking into still water.

“Long time no see. You’re Ollie, right?”

Ollie was so nervous he was about to tear his hands apart. He swallowed hard, lifting his head with reddened eyes, yet still dared not refuse to answer Zhou Liao. “Yes.”

“Ollie, what a lovely name. Did you receive the money I sent you last time?”

“…Yes, I did.”

“Has your father’s surgery been completed?”

“…Yes, it has.”

“Do you still want more money?”

Ollie fell silent, his entire body shaking like a leaf. Zhou Liao couldn’t help but chuckle. “I haven’t hit you or scolded you. Why are you trembling like this?”

“Sir… I might not need money as much right now.”

“Then what do you need?”

“I don’t need anything right now.” Ollie didn’t even dare to look Zhou Liao in the eye.

“You need a man,” Zhou Liao said, patting him on the shoulder. “You’re gay, aren’t you?”

Ollie’s breath caught in his throat.

“It was pretty obvious. Last time, when I asked you to help Qin Zhan, your…”

“Sir!” Ollie’s face and neck flushed crimson.

“Wouldn’t you like him to serve you just once? Hmm?”

This time, even Qin Zhan’s eyes widened as he shot a sharp look at Zhou Liao.

Suddenly, someone shoved Ollie hard, sending him stumbling back several steps to collapse onto the sofa. Almost immediately, a bottle of liquor was poured over his head. Ollie began to tremble and struggle, but the men around him quickly pinned him down, exactly as he had been the last time.

“Zhou Liao.”

“Who’s to blame but your own dishonesty? Still trying to message Bai Ling?” Zhou Liao ignored Qin Zhan. “Your colleague went to such lengths to help you last time. What’s wrong with you returning the favor?”

“Sir… please! I really don’t need the money anymore!” Ollie’s voice cracked with a desperate, tearful shout. “Please! Let me go! I’ll do anything you want!”

Ignoring Ollie’s pleas, Zhou Liao grinned at Qin Zhan. “Pay up now, or kneel before him.”

……

Zhou Liao had no interest in watching homosexual acts; his sole focus was tormenting Qin Zhan. However, looking at Ollie’s appearance, especially his somewhat effeminate face, he did find himself feeling a bit thirsty.

A few moments later, his phone vibrated twice—simultaneous messages from two different people. Bai Ling asked if he had gotten home yet. Zhou Liao quickly replied with “I’m home, baby,” and sent her an old photo he’d taken at home.

Opening the other conversation, he saw two photos of Ling Yang wearing different styles of white gauze dresses, her bare shoulders half-exposed. She asked him which one looked better. Glancing at Ling Yang’s contact name, Zhou Liao took a sip of the wine on the table, and replied: “A bit more see-through would make it perfect.”