That evening, when Xie Jia Hua returned, Lu Guang Ming asked him about the little shark. To his surprise, Xie Jia Hua said it had been bought for him.
He was stunned. Even before he shamelessly moved into the Xie household for the second time, Xie Jia Hua had already bought that little shark as a gift for him. Back when Xie Jia Hua still spoke to him coldly, when their relationship was tense and antagonistic, he had already eaten the breakfast Lu Guang Ming brought—and had even washed and kept the lunchbox.
Perhaps… just perhaps. Perhaps, before Xie Jia Hua himself even realized it, he had already harbored the faintest trace of feeling toward him. He did not dare to assume that trace was love—perhaps it was sympathy, perhaps pity. But even that was enough. He was already content.
Holding the little shark, he happily went to tease Xie Jia Hua, who was still showering. Xie Jia Hua said the shark was “for coaxing little kids,” and under his provocation, finally lost patience and pinned him against the bathroom wall.
Under the warm stream of water, he was wrapped in a warm embrace, entered slowly and gently. He turned back to seek a kiss, and Xie Jia Hua responded with equal softness. They brushed cheeks and temples, like lovers deeply entwined. The tide of emotion surged within them in the same rhythm, like ocean waves gradually engulfing him—like a stranded little shark returning to the sea.
Amid the patter of water and rising breaths, he gripped the small shark tightly, its tiny teeth pricking faintly into his palm. His other hand clawed helplessly at the wall, until Xie Jia Hua’s hand covered it from behind, their fingers intertwining.
They indulged themselves the entire night. Xie Jia Hua’s endurance and fervor always gave him the illusion of being loved. He allowed himself to sink into that illusion, clinging tightly to Xie Jia Hua, unwilling to let go—even as the force of it left him breathless.
When they finally lay down to sleep, he wrapped himself around Xie Jia Hua like a vine, practically climbing on top of him.
“Are you trying to crush me to death?” Xie Jia Hua frowned.
He immediately let go, curling up pitifully with his back turned. Xie Jia Hua pinched his backside. “Stop pretending. Come here.”
He crawled back into his arms. Xie Jia Hua gathered him in, patting his waist. “Sleep. Don’t mess with me—I have work tomorrow.”
I won’t trouble you anymore, he thought, secretly kissing his shoulder.
……
The next morning, he tried to sneak away with the little shark—but was caught red-handed. Xie Jia Hua guessed he was heading into danger, so he hung Tang Jia Qi’s memorial tablet around his neck.
Clutching it, he fled quickly—afraid he might lose control and kiss him.
They had never kissed outside of sex. He neither dared nor was allowed to cross that line.
What followed unfolded with the speed of a dream—yet it was a blood-soaked nightmare.
Together with He Chu San, he risked everything. They obtained incriminating evidence against Xie Ying Jie, uncovered his illicit wealth, and set a trap to expose him. Chief Investigator Xu led the ICAC Operations Unit—over forty personnel in six vehicles—to arrest Xie Ying Jie, his underworld proxy, and one of his major bribers, Qiao Chun An.
But no one anticipated that, driven into a corner, Xie Ying Jie would go mad—slaughtering every operative in an attempt to eliminate all witnesses and evidence.
Before Lu Guang Ming’s very eyes, that vicious bastard killed Chief Investigator Xu, burned the bodies of his colleagues, spared only him and He Chu San—then beat them and locked them in a freezer, intending to freeze them alive.
He Chu San was gravely injured, his throat burned, his consciousness fading first.
Lu Guang Ming pressed the little shark into his hand—it’s for coaxing little kids—trying to joke, to keep him conscious. While comforting him, he fought desperately to stay awake, hoping Xie Jia Hua would find the evidence he had left behind—that there might still be a chance.
Tang Jia Qi had died in a freezer too. He could not bear to imagine Xie Jia Hua’s expression upon seeing his corpse.
He knew Xie Jia Hua cared for him—loved Brother Jia Qi, yes, but also cared for him. He did not want to die frozen like Brother Jia Qi.
How heartbroken would he be…
In the extreme cold, he began to feel a strange, burning heat. He had heard that those freezing to death often hallucinated warmth near the end.
Who did Brother Jia Qi think of at the end? Was it Xie Jia Hua?
He gave his life to help my father uncover the truth—he cared about me too… Did he know my “go away” was unintentional? Did he think of me? Could he forgive my foolishness and anger? I want to say sorry…
I wish I could love him in your place…
But that was no longer possible.
Just as his final thread of consciousness and hope faded, he heard a distant explosion. Blinding light shattered the darkness.
Through frost-laden lashes, trembling, he saw Xie Jia Hua.
Xie Jia Hua rushed forward and held him tightly, stripping off his own clothes to wrap around him, lifting him out of the freezer.
Shivering, Lu Guang Ming clung to his neck, a hoarse sob escaping his bluish lips, turning into broken crying.
He bit into Xie Jia Hua’s shoulder with all his strength. As sensation returned, he smelled sweat and blood—that scent, to him, was the best in the world.
Xie Jia Hua laid him onto a stretcher. Medical staff surrounded him, but he refused to let go of Xie Jia Hua’s hand. Xie Jia Hua walked beside him, holding his hand, stroking his face, kissing his forehead, murmuring softly:
“It’s alright. You’re safe. I’m here.”
“……San…”
“What did you say? Slowly.”
“…A’San… ”
“He Chu San? He’s in the ambulance next door. He’s alive—you don’t have to worry.”
“Xie… Ying Jie…”
“He’s been arrested. I caught him. I saw the evidence you left—you did well.”
“You… don’t blame… me…? He’s your… father…”
A trace of bitterness flickered in Xie Jia Hua’s eyes—along with boundless gentleness. Ignoring the medical staff, he lowered his head and kissed Lu Guang Ming’s lips.
“Silly boy. Rest. I’m here with you.”
……
At the hospital, they were separated immediately—each taken for treatment.
Lu Guang Ming cooperated quietly, soon falling asleep under sedation. When he woke, he heard that the usually composed He Chu San had caused a commotion—refusing surgery unless Xia Liu Yi was present. Xie Jia Hua had to apply for permission to bring Xia Liu Yi, already detained, to the hospital.
Three days later, Lu Guang Ming was moved out of the sterile ward.
Xie Jia Hua, holding his chest, was slowly helped into the room by the caretaker.
Lu Guang Ming sat propped up, one leg bandaged like a mummy, staring out the window. Hearing him, he turned and smiled—a gentle smile, but his gaze was dull, the former sharpness gone.
“Are you alright?”
“Are you badly hurt?”
They spoke at the same time.
Lu Guang Ming gave an awkward smile. “Sorry—you go first.”
“No need to apologize,” Xie Jia Hua said. “Two cracked ribs. I’m fine.”
“Thank you… for saving us that day,” Lu Guang Ming said.
Xie Jia Hua sat beside him, dismissed the caretaker, then spoke gently. “Isn’t there something else you want to say?”
“I…” Lu Guang Ming lowered his gaze, silent for a moment. “Can I ask you something? They won’t tell me anything. They won’t even let me watch the news. I know they mean well.”
“What is it?”
“The ICAC… how many died?”
Xie Jia Hua met his eyes. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“Please. Tell me.”
After hesitation, under that dark, pleading gaze, he sighed. “Forty-six. Xie Ying Jie attacked all six vehicles—and your branch office. Burned the entire office to destroy evidence.”
Lu Guang Ming clenched the blanket, veins bulging on his hand.
Xie Jia Hua gently pried his fingers open. “It wasn’t your fault.”
Head bowed, Lu Guang Ming said hoarsely, “An operation of that scale should have been reported to the Commissioner… approved… directed… I rushed it. I pushed Chief Investigator Xu to act…” His voice broke. “It’s all me…”
“Listen,” Xie Jia Hua interrupted firmly. “They were killed by Xie Ying Jie—not you. If you hadn’t acted, he would’ve fled the next day to a country without extradition. Your operation was necessary. No one could’ve predicted his madness!”
Lu Guang Ming forced back a sob, exhaling shakily. Tears still fell, silent.
“Lu Guang Ming…” Xie Jia Hua said, pained.
“I’m fine,” Lu Guang Ming replied without lifting his head. “Thank you… I want to rest alone. Can you leave me for a while?”
Xie Jia Hua hesitated.
“I won’t hurt myself,” Lu Guang Ming added. “So many died… I’m the only one who knows many details. I still have to report.”
Xie Jia Hua had never seen him so composed. It hurt even more.
He stood slowly, holding his ribs. Just as he reached the door—
“They suspect you?” Lu Guang Ming asked.
“Suspect what?”
“Your involvement in Xie Ying Jie’s crimes. Did they question you?”
“They did. But it’s alright—I was the one who arrested him.”
“…That’s good. If anyone doubts you, tell me. I have all my past investigation records on you. You’re a good officer. I can prove it.”
Xie Jia Hua nodded and left.
Closing the door quietly, he sat down cross-legged outside the ward.
The caretaker returned, surprised. Xie Jia Hua raised a finger to his lips, silently mouthing:
“I’ll stay with him.”
Inside, unaware of this, Lu Guang Ming lay back on the bed. Pulling the blanket over his head, he slowly curled into himself—in the darkness, a small, solitary shape.
Futile Devices Scans 
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