Futile Devices Scans

Wang Kai Wen a.k.a. Kevin, age twenty-one, experienced his second heartbreak in this lifetime.

And both times, the person he lost was the same one.

The first heartbreak was his first love. That year, he was only eight years old, living in the sunless Gaau Lung Walled City. His mother worked as a waitress in a restaurant, leaving early and returning late every day, with no time to look after him. Poor and wild, he was like a stray puppy. One night, while kicking a ball alone in an alley, a delinquent youth picked a fight, snatched his ball, and beat him. In a moment of hot-headed rage, he grabbed a brick and smashed it against the boy’s head.

The boy howled and cursed. Only then did he realize that he had struck the son of a Red Pole from the Sha Family Gang—a young gangster prince.

A group of thugs quickly surrounded him. His mother happened to come out looking for him and was also seized. The young master clamored to beat the mother and son half to death before throwing them into the sea. Just as terror overwhelmed them, a slender youth carrying a schoolbag stepped out from the shadows of the alley and said, “Hey! Do you know who they are?”

“You little punk, why are you meddling?!” the young master cursed.

“That child is the illegitimate son of your Boss Sha. The woman isn’t his mother—she’s his nanny. Boss Sha’s wife is vicious; she killed his biological mother, so he had no choice but to raise him secretly outside.” The youth spoke calmly and with firm logic. “If you don’t believe me, ask him where he lives. Which street?”

Kevin had no idea what the boy was talking about. After being kicked by the gangster’s son, his mind went blank, and he blurted out the name of his street.

“If you’re really Boss Sha’s son, why didn’t you say so earlier?!” the young master asked suspiciously.

“He’s only eight. He doesn’t know. The nanny doesn’t know either. My father acted as a middleman to find the nanny for Boss Sha. Isn’t your father one of Boss Sha’s men? Call him and ask whether it’s true.”

Half-believing, the young master called his father, reported the situation and the street name. Before he could finish, he was thoroughly scolded over the phone. After hanging up, he bowed and apologized repeatedly to the supposed illegitimate son, then fled with his men in a panic.

The youth helped Kevin and his mother up. “Are you alright?”

His earlier words had been so confident and logically sound that even Kevin began to doubt his own origins. “Mom… is what he said true? You’re not my real mother?”

“Ah?” His mother was stunned. “Of course you’re mine!”

The youth laughed, revealing two rows of snow-white teeth—rarely so neat and bright in the Walled City. “I made it up. Boss Sha’s illegitimate son just happens to live on the same street as you. His nanny mentioned it secretly when she came to my father’s clinic to have a tooth pulled. My dad is very kind—everyone likes talking to him. You’re welcome to come for dental work sometime.”

“Then how did you know which street I live on?” Kevin asked in surprise.

“You kick your ball here every day and then go home. I often see you when I come back from school. One day, you even kicked the ball into me. Don’t you remember?”

Kevin looked at him as if gazing at a god. He truly didn’t remember. If only he had met this kind, intelligent, graceful boy with such a sweet smile earlier… though in his mother’s memory, that “graceful boy” was actually a skinny, sharp-faced kid who looked like a little mouse.

From that day on, every evening, Kevin would hold his ball and wait in that alley for the boy to return from school. The boy seemed extremely busy with his studies—he always passed by in a hurry, giving a slight smile before rushing off again. Kevin would stand at the alley entrance, clutching his ball, utterly infatuated—so infatuated that after only a week, everything changed.

His mother found a job as a housemaid outside the Walled City. The employer allowed both mother and son to live in the servant’s quarters of a villa. Ignoring his crying and resistance, she took him away from the Walled City. Later, he secretly sneaked back several times, but he never saw that boy again.

His first love gradually faded in his young memory, leaving behind only those two rows of white teeth.

More than ten years later, by chance, he met again the “Bright Moonlight” of his heart—no, his “Bright Smile.”

But that Bright Smile already had someone.

That someone was good-looking, long-legged—and a big boss. Kevin could neither compare nor compete. He could only bury his feelings deep within his heart.

However, there was great conflict between the two. One was a clean and kind Central elite, the other a gang boss with blood on his hands. The distance and tension between them were obvious. Bright Smile tried desperately to save his lover from the flames, devising a grand plan to eliminate all enemies—

The first step: kidnap and imprison his lover.

Kevin: ??? Is this what love looks like?!

Even though jealousy burned within him, he still chose to help wholeheartedly—to repay the life-saving favor, and to atone for his hidden feelings. And to be honest, seeing his love rival locked up did give him a tiny bit of satisfaction.

At the same time, he harbored a subtle, slightly wicked thought—if those two ever reached an irreparable breaking point, perhaps he might have a sliver of opportunity.

But on this day, after he accompanied his Bright Smile to come out to his family, his secret crush was seen through. Before the other could speak, Kevin gave up on himself and preemptively issued himself a “good person card.”

What more was there to understand? For that foolish big boss, Bright Smile abandoned his clean life and became an Acting Hall Master in the gang. Though terrified of his father to the point of trembling, he still crawled upstairs to come out. And that foolish big boss, locked in the basement, had already broken his chains—but instead of escaping, he waited like an idiot for Bright Smile to come back and “talk things through,” only to be coaxed into taking sedatives and locked up again.

Such a perfectly matched pair—what right did Kevin have to interfere?

This heartbreak cut deep into his soul.

That very night, he went to a gay bar to drown his sorrows. He was currently assisting his Bright Smile with a major operation, handling confidential matters, so he couldn’t reveal his identity. He deliberately chose a bar hosting a masquerade party and wore a half-face superhero mask.

Since he was already heartbroken, there was no need to stay faithful. He tore open his buttons, bared his chest, exuded charm, and scanned for handsome men—planning to find a one-night stand.

The one sitting at the bar looked promising. Wrapped in tight fabric, his figure was impeccable—long legs, a shapely rear. He wore a Batman-style mask, revealing a well-shaped jaw and thin lips, and was gloomily downing drink after drink.

Lowering his voice into something deep and seductive, Kevin approached and struck up a conversation:

“Heartbroken?”

The other party’s voice was very soft, weary and hoarse, and clearly not his natural voice. “Go away.”

Kevin not only didn’t leave, he plopped down right beside him. “I just got my heart broken too. The person I like already has a boyfriend. No—not only are they privately committed, he’s even come out. I’ve got no chance at all now. What about you?”

Romance.

The man glanced at Kevin’s mask, lowered his head, and took another drink. Only after a long while did he speak. “He said I’ll always be a little brother.”

“That’s rough—getting the ‘little brother card.’” Kevin sighed. “Even worse than my ‘good person card.’ Come on, let’s drink another round. My treat.”

Kevin ordered a row of rainbow vodka shots. After three shots each, their moods both began to rise. Feigning drunkenness, Kevin leaned closer, brushing casually against the man’s elbow, and casually made up a name for himself. “My name’s Ward. What about you?”

The man looked at him again, his gaze somewhat strange, but quickly looked away. In a hoarse voice, he said, “A’Tai.”

That very night, they went to get a room together.

A’Tai seemed to care a great deal about being seen by a one-night stand partner and refused to remove his mask—which suited Kevin perfectly. Wearing their superhero and Batman masks, the two of them kissed across each other’s bodies, tearing at each other’s clothes, the whole scene carrying a certain playful sense of role-play.

Unexpectedly, the moment the clothes came off, Kevin found himself biting into firm, well-defined muscle, startling him badly. “Y-you… your body is amazing. What do you do for work?”

“I fight Muay Thai.”

“Are… are you a top?” Kevin suddenly felt a bad premonition! Though he came from a gangster thug background and kept himself in shape, he had already washed his hands of that life, now studying finance under Bright Smile and working as a CEO’s assistant. No matter how much he trained casually, he couldn’t compare to a professional.

“You’re a bottom?” Ah Tai asked doubtfully. “If you’re a bottom, I can be the top.”

“No no no no, I—I…” Kevin was so flustered he couldn’t speak.

“No need to force yourself.” Since in their circle there were naturally more bottoms than tops, A’Tai said with remarkable cooperation and self-sacrifice, “You lie down.”

“I—I’m a pure top,” Kevin hurriedly declared.

“…” Suspicion showed in A’Tai’s eyes, as though he had never encountered such a thing in his life.

“Really, you lie down. I’m very skilled.”

Half-believing, A’Tai lay down. After a while, he said, “It hurts.”

“I’ll be gentler, gentler—sorry, I’ve never dealt with someone this tight… your glutes are incredible…”

“…Still hurts.”

“Let’s change position, change position.”

Kevin exerted himself with all his strength for the entire night. In the end, drenched in sweat, the two of them lay together, panting. His waist ached, his whole body sore, as though his life’s energy had been drained. Carefully, he asked, “Did you feel good?”

“Mm.”

As long as you felt good. Kevin let out a relieved sigh. Suddenly, A’Tai turned his head and kissed Kevin lightly on his sweat-damp cheek. “Thank you.”

“Huh?”

“That felt good. Thank you.”

Kevin sighed and hugged him tighter. “I should be the one thanking you. I just got my heart broken—thank you for staying with me.”

“Mm. Me too. Thank you for staying with me.”

“Are you going back?”

“Don’t want to.”

“Me neither.” Going home would only remind him of heartbreak.

So, like small animals seeking warmth, they held each other and slept through the night.

The next morning, Kevin woke in the early light. Turning his head, he saw A’Tai’s profile. A’Tai was still wearing his mask, sleeping peacefully. His eyelashes, like tiny fans, were bathed in warm golden light, his soft breaths brushing gently against Kevin’s face. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though this could be a lifetime.

Kevin felt as though his heart had been pricked by a needle, his breathing turning uneven. Last night had truly been wonderful. After a brief initial awkwardness, they had fit together as naturally as if their blood had already mingled—the sensation indescribably exquisite.

Had he… started to like him a little? Could a chance encounter like this last? Would they be able to stay in contact?

Romance.

Kevin quietly reached out, wanting to lift A’Tai’s mask—he wanted to see what he looked like. If he didn’t want to remove it, perhaps it was because of scars? Or an unsightly birthmark? No matter what, Kevin wouldn’t mind. Maybe he could wake him with a kiss, exchange numbers…

But before his fingers could touch the mask, A’Tai reacted sharply and opened his eyes. Their gazes met. Kevin awkwardly withdrew his hand.

A’Tai turned over and got up, silently dressing with his back to him. Kevin noticed several knife wounds and gunshot scars on his back. He vaguely sensed that A’Tai was far more than just a “Muay Thai fighter.” A sense of caution rose within him, suppressing his impulse to ask for A’Tai’s number.

A’Tai, too, shed the gentle, compliant demeanor of the night before. He quickly wrapped himself back into his clothes, spine straight, his back radiating a distant chill.

For some reason, Kevin felt that A’Tai deeply regretted what had happened the night before.

After getting dressed, A’Tai took out several bills from his wallet and placed them on the bedside table. In a hoarse voice, he said, “I’ll split the room cost with you.”

“No need,” Kevin said.

AmTai did not give him the chance to refuse. After setting down the money, he left quickly. Kevin lay alone under the covers, watching him close the door behind him.

After he left, Kevin took off his superhero mask and tossed it aside, rubbing his face that had been pressed all night, and let out a long sigh in his heart.

What was that about—like a little iceberg. Clearly he had been so adorable last night. The way his body trembled slightly as he cooperated was adorable. The low, suppressed moans were adorable. Even the flushed look on his face at the peak was adorable.

Romance.

Still, Kevin didn’t blame him. Even if it was heartbreak, how could feelings invested so deeply be forgotten so easily? How could someone so quickly develop interest in another person? Not just him—even while Kevin had been working so hard last night, Bright Smile’s face had occasionally flashed through his mind.

Sigh… if in this lifetime he could share such intimacy with Bright Smile even once, how fortunate that would be…

…

Kevin’s wish came true—but not long after, he began living a miserable life of daily “cloud-and-rain” intimacy with Bright Smile. First, he unfortunately witnessed Bright Smile and his partner engaging in passionate lovemaking in the bath. Then, due to a sudden visit from enemies, he was forced to play the role of Bright Smile’s lover, acting out nightly scenes of passionate intimacy in front of recording devices in the room, and even had to sleep on the floor of Bright Smile’s bedroom.

And why the hell was his Bright Smile a top?! Why was Bright Smile—so refined, gentle, and dignified—a top ? Why did he have to witness Bright Smile taking that vigorous Dragon Head Boss and driving him into a flushed frenzy?! The world was turning upside down! His eyes were about to go blind from what they had seen!

In the dead of night, Kevin lay with his back to Bright Smile, curled up on the floor bedding, silently shedding tears, thinking: This is just too tragic! Getting a self-issued “good person card” was one thing, but now he’d even received a “fake lover card”! This was even worse than the “little brother card”!

Thinking of the “little brother card,” and then of his one-night stand A’Tai, who had left so coldly, his sorrow deepened—this was like receiving a merciless “post-sex indifference card”!

…

Even in his dreams, he was surrounded by black cards. Outwardly calm, Kevin endured this heartbreak life as bitter as Chinese goldthread. Fortunately, as Bright Smile’s grand revenge plan progressed step by step, both work and life became increasingly intense and thrilling, leaving him with little time to dwell on the small flicker of romance in his heart…

Until the day Bright Smile met the final boss. Influenced by the other party’s sinister aura, Bright Smile’s mood grew increasingly low and irritable. After a quarrel one day, he locked himself in his office.

Romance.

Kevin felt heartache for him but could not comfort him. After much hesitation, he secretly informed Bright Smile’s big boss lover behind his back.

Once the real lover arrived, Kevin, the fake one, became even more useless. After arranging Bright Smile’s security, he once again went to the same gay bar to drown his sorrows.

…

Another one-night stand party—no, masquerade party—was being held. Kevin picked an extremely ugly Phantom of the Opera mask. He didn’t want to talk to anyone. His heart was too bitter. He just wanted to slump at the bar, wallow in self-pity, and cry his heart out—

The person he loved had been taken away by the male lead… no, the person he loved had taken the male lead away. And he himself would forever remain the unloved, ugly phantom lurking in the darkness.

“Let me keep waiting, waiting until my heart breaks… tonight the stars accompany my drunkenness, as if pitying my emptiness…”

Why was the speakers even playing Waiting Until My Heart Breaks as background music?! Was there no justice left in the world?! Kevin slammed his fist hard against the bar. The vibration startled another young man slumped beside him drinking. The young man turned to glance at him.

Kevin saw the man’s Phantom mask—and that familiar, beautifully shaped jaw.

“A’Tai?” he asked doubtfully.

“Ward?” A’Tai replied.

This time, A’Tai treated him to drinks. As Kevin drank, he slipped his hand inside his mask to wipe away tears. “I really like him. I’ve liked him for many years.”

Romance.

“Mm. Me too.”

“He’s a really good person—gentle, capable, and handsome.”

“Mm. Mine too.”

“My heartbreak is so miserable, you know? I saw with my own eyes him rolling around in bed with his man—no, in the bathtub.”

“Mm. Same. I went to his house today to deliver something and found out he’s already living together with the person he likes.”

“I always thought he was a bottom! Turns out he’s a top! We even clash positions, wuwuwu…”

“…” A’Tai hesitated. “Then I’m probably not as miserable as you.” He tilted his head slightly, as if carefully considering the possibility that the person he liked might actually be a bottom. “But I’m verse, so it doesn’t matter if he’s top or bottom. Even so, he still fell for someone else. And even if he hadn’t, he would never like me—because I drew a ‘little brother card.’”

Kevin couldn’t help but spit out his drink in laughter. Looking at A’Tai’s completely serious face, he said, “You tell jokes without laughing?”

“I’m not joking,” A’Tai said.

“Little brother card, hahaha.”

“Not funny,” A’Tai said seriously.

Kevin couldn’t laugh anymore. He patted his shoulder. “Yeah… not funny. That’s rough.”

…

That night, they got a room together again.

“Tomorrow morning, don’t just leave coldly again. At least say goodbye,” Kevin said after entering the room.

“Sorry. I didn’t plan on seeing you again. I regret sleeping with you. I regret getting drunk.”

“…You’re really direct,” Kevin choked slightly. “Then why are you here today?”

“I drank again today. I think you’re very cute. Even if I might regret it tomorrow, I still want to sleep with you.”

Romance.

“Cough…” Kevin said, “I take that back—you’re straightforward in a cute way.”

Standing in the corridor, the two of them held each other and gently exchanged a kiss, sharing the same bitter taste of alcohol.

Kevin licked his lips. “Sigh… the taste of heartbreak.”

“You don’t like it?”

“I don’t like heartbreak,” Kevin said. “It’s too bitter. But I liked that kiss. Can we have another?”

A’Tai kissed him again softly. Kevin kissed him back, brushing against the corner of his lips, where dried tear marks lingered.

“So he cried before I got here…” Kevin thought. “Getting a ‘little brother card’ from the one he likes, and even seeing him live with someone else—he must be just as heartbroken as me.”

They kissed each other gently for a long time. Kevin pulled back slightly and said softly, “Can I see your face today?”

A’Tai looked at him, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

Kevin didn’t give up. Since childhood, he had aspired to follow Bright Smile’s example, striving to become someone persistent (stubbornly relentless). “I’ll go shower first. Think about it, okay? If you don’t want to, that’s fine.”

…

In the bathroom, Kevin stripped himself completely and removed his mask. Standing before the mirror, he examined his face and body with some unease. He wasn’t very confident. He had seen too many dazzling people—Bright Smile among them. And no matter how he looked at himself, he was only above average… or perhaps just average. What if A’Tai didn’t like his face?

Kevin pinched his proud nose, trying to make it look sharper.

The sound of running water filled the bathroom. Faintly, he seemed to hear the ringing of a brick phone outside.

Still dripping wet, he ran out. Just in time to see A’Tai with his back turned, saying into the phone, “He’s in the shower.”

Kevin rushed over and snatched the phone. “Don’t just answer my calls randomly! Hello?”

“It’s me,” Bright Smile said.

Kevin hurried back into the bathroom, closing the door carefully—completely unaware of the shock in A’Tai’s eyes behind him. A’Tai had seen his face.

…

Bright Smile apologized and thanked Kevin. Flattered, Kevin spoke with him for a while. Outside, A’Tai knocked on the door as if he had something to say. After some time, Kevin finally came out.

“I’m leaving,” A’Tai said, still wearing his mask. Just like last time, he turned and walked away.

“Why?” Kevin asked in surprise, quickly chasing after him into the corridor. He grabbed A’Tai’s arm, intending to pin him against the wall—but was effortlessly thrown to the ground with a shoulder throw by the Muay Thai fighter.

Kevin was stunned as his throat was pinned—never in his life had he expected a one-night stand to involve mortal danger.

But A’Tai quickly realized he had overreacted and released him, getting up.

“Sorry,” A’Tai said. This time, he didn’t lower his voice. Kevin found it strangely familiar.

“Why are you leaving?” Kevin said. “Are you unhappy? The one who called just now is indeed the person I like—but we’re impossible. I’ve already been heartbroken for so long. Can’t we… start as friends? I really think you’re very cute.”

“Impossible,” A’Tai said. “He called you Kevin. You’re Wang Kai Wen. He is He Chu San.”

Kevin’s mind snapped tight with alarm. He stepped back. “How do you know that? Who are you?”

A’Tai removed his mask.

Kevin froze, staring at the flawless face beneath it.

It was Qin Hao.

His former gangster superior, Bright Smile’s supposed rival—not long ago exposed as an undercover officer of the Major Crime Unit.

Kevin’s hair stood on end. “I-it’s you?!” Given Qin Hao’s past identity, a terrible suspicion arose. “Did you recognize me last time too?! Did you sleep with me to extract information?!”

Qin Hao shook his head. “No. I didn’t recognize you. Last time… it was because you said your name was Ward. That’s the name of the person I like.”

Romance.

Qin Hao left again, cold as before.

Kevin collapsed onto the ground, feeling a level of helplessness and despair he had never known. Just moments ago in the bathroom, when he had worried that A’Tai wouldn’t like his real face, he had truly felt himself starting to like him.

He thought he had drawn the “undercover scumbag card.”

Turns out, he had drawn the “substitute card.”

Kevin, age twenty-one, experienced his third heartbreak in this lifetime.

Alone, curled up on the hotel bed clutching the blanket, he hummed Waiting Until My Heart Breaks the entire night.

Wuwuwu…

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