Futile Devices Scans

Ke Bu was forced back against the railing. Gripping it tightly, he tried to think. What should he do? Could he really push away someone as agile as Dora? She was not weak. She had grown up alongside Zhi Li since childhood. Dora glanced down below and suddenly, without any warning, put away the knife. “I just thought of a more interesting way.”

A bad feeling. A very bad feeling. That expression of sadistic delight. With her hands behind her back, Dora left Ke Bu where he was and took two steps toward the railing. Turning her head, her silky hair danced in the wind before falling back against her delicate profile. “Since you care so much about me being Brother Zhi Li’s little sister, how about we do something even more fun? Say, how about you take over this burden of guilt from Brother Zhi Li?”

For a moment, Ke Bu did not understand what she meant. Then Dora lightly climbed outside the railing like a paper doll. Holding onto the bars with both hands, she showed not the slightest fear. Ke Bu’s face turned white. Stretching out a hand, he rushed forward. “Dora!”

“Don’t come any closer. Take one more step and I’ll jump.”

So that was it. So that was what she meant. She wanted him to bear the guilt. That way, an irreparable wound would forever stand between him and Zhi Li. She wanted to completely destroy the relationship between them. What a brilliant move. But he would not let her have her way.

“You think I’ll fall for the same trick twice? You can’t bear to die. You won’t jump. You’re just bluffing.” Ke Bu’s stomach twisted painfully. He was so tense he could barely get the words out.

Dora grinned. “Who knows? If Brother Zhi Li finds out what I’m really like, maybe I really will die. Are you that confident? Confident that I won’t jump?”

“He’ll never find out. I promise. Come down, okay?” Ke Bu gave in. What he feared most right now was Dora actually jumping. If she did, there would be no taking anything back. Dora released one hand. Ke Bu’s heart clenched. But unexpectedly, Dora began unbuttoning her clothes. The edge of her bra became visible. Then she tore her own skirt. What was she trying to do? Was there really no other way? Had she become so twisted? Had she completely lost her mind?

Ke Bu’s legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground. Finally, at the top of his lungs, he shouted, “Please, Zhi Li!”

The door was kicked open. One hand braced against the doorframe, breathing slightly hard, Zhi Li stood there. “I got the message.”

Ke Bu stared at him in shock. So it was real. The spell he had given him. He had said it. And Zhi Li had appeared. With tears in her voice, Dora cried out, “Brother Zhi Li, why are you here? Ke Bu, he… he…” Biting her lower lip, she looked down at her torn skirt before turning toward Ke Bu with a humiliated expression. “But he’s your friend, Brother Zhi Li. What am I supposed to do after this? Rather than letting you find out and putting you in a difficult position, I’d rather…” If this were a movie, Dora would be the heroine. Ke Bu almost wanted to clap and applaud. What kind of genius-level scheme was this? She had not lost her mind. She had never intended to die. She must have seen Zhi Li running this way and immediately decided to use this trick. And Ke Bu could not explain. He did not dare. Because Dora had just said it herself: if Zhi Li discovered her true nature, she might really jump. He had wondered earlier why she had suddenly said something like that. Now he understood. He had been completely outplayed.

“I…”

“What? Are you going to deny it now?”

“No. I admit everything. It was my fault. I did those things to you. But that doesn’t mean you have to die. I’ll tell Zhi Li everything.” Dora seemed very satisfied with that answer. Admitting that he had done such a thing to Dora felt like personally bringing an end to this relationship. Who would forgive a man who had assaulted their little sister? He truly had not expected it. He had never imagined Dora would corner him this thoroughly.

Something flickered across Zhi Li’s face. Staring at Ke Bu, he slowly walked over. Ke Bu could recognize the aura of anger surrounding him. Zhi Li crouched down in front of him. His fingers seized Ke Bu’s collar and dragged him closer. Was he going to hit him? Ke Bu squeezed his eyes shut. Several moments passed. Nothing happened. Carefully opening his eyes, he saw the curve of Zhi Li’s lips. He was smiling. Why?

“You really know how to make people angry, don’t you?” Zhi Li released him. “Do you seriously not have even this much awareness?” Then he let go of Ke Bu’s collar. “Are you an idiot? No matter what happens, I’ll always stand on your side, Ke Bu.” Warmth flowed through him. Before the emotions gathering in his chest could burst free, Zhi Li continued, “Of course, unless you actually did assault her. That would be a different matter.”

“Couldn’t you leave out that completely unnecessary line?”

Dora’s face flushed red with fury. Her expression began to twist. Clenching her teeth, she shouted, “Why? Why? Why does it have to be Ke Bu?!” Ke Bu pointed at Dora, then pointed at his own face, silently indicating her expression. As if suddenly realizing something, Dora hurriedly smoothed her features. Releasing Ke Bu, Zhi Li stood up and faced Dora, who was standing not far away. “I saw it.”

“Saw what?” Dora asked.

“Now that I’ve caught you red-handed, pretending any further would just be embarrassing.” Zhi Li said lightly. Dora’s shoulders slumped. “I only wanted to show Brother Zhi Li my best side and be a good Dora. In the end, I still couldn’t hide it. Brother Zhi Li hates me now, doesn’t he?”

“Dora.” Zhi Li held out his hand. “No matter what you do, I’ll forgive you.” Looking at Dora gently, Zhi Li spoke in a warm voice. Dora froze, her lips parting slightly. “R-Really? Even if I’m awful? Even if I did terrible things to Ke Bu and everyone else? You won’t be angry with me?”

“Mm. So come down. Be good.” The hand Zhi Li extended carried an irresistible allure. Dora climbed back over the railing and grabbed his hand before throwing herself into his arms and bursting into tears. “Brother Zhi Li is the best.”

“Ah, I was lying just now.”

Dora lifted her head. “W-What?”

“That part where I said I wasn’t angry was a lie.” Zhi Li smacked the back of Dora’s head hard, then kicked the back of her knee. Dora dropped to her knees. Undoing a button at his collar, Zhi Li said, “Since I’ve seen your true nature, as a courtesy in return, let me show you mine.” Pressing a hand on Dora’s head, he forced her forehead to the ground in a perfect kowtow. “Apologize properly, you little brat.” He’s gone dark, Zhi Li!!

“Brother Zhi Li? Y-You actually hit me? Don’t you feel even a little guilty toward me?” Dora cried out in disbelief.

“Guilty? What’s that supposed to be?”

How stupid. Ke Bu should have realized this earlier. Since when had Zhi Li ever possessed emotions that delicate?

“I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it.” Tears welled up in Dora’s eyes.

“Quit crying. Swallow those crocodile tears back down and don’t make me repeat myself.” Zhi Li shoved Dora’s head back down when she tried to lift it.

“S-Sorry, Brother Zhi Li.”

“And?”

“Ke Bu, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything I did before. Of course, what I did was very serious, so it’s fine if you don’t forgive me.” There was not a shred of sincerity in her apology. It sounded as if she did not need his forgiveness at all. Zhi Li smacked the back of her head again. “Is that the attitude you’re supposed to have?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Forget it. She’s just a kid. I think she really knows she was wrong this time.” Ke Bu tried to play the good guy. Zhi Li raised his eyes. “Bastard, since when was it your turn to speak?” Ke Bu immediately sat up straight. “Y-Yes, sir.”

The others rushed in and pinned Dora down. With a resentful expression, Ying Xiu Jie said, “It was you, wasn’t it? You were the one who threw my sandbag into the boys’ restroom urinal.”

“You’re the one who stuffed my pillow full of garbage too, right?” Chu Hao Yu added.

“And all my textbooks were scribbled black.” Gong Zhu said.

“My lunches have tasted strange lately. W-Was that you too?” Zhou Xin He asked.

The group held Dora down while Ying Xiu Jie pinched her little face hard. “Such a waste of that pretty face. How can someone so young bully her older brothers and sisters?” Dora struggled fiercely, her face full of anger. “Let me go! Let me go!” Then she spat at them. Slumping onto the ground in exhaustion, Ke Bu finally concluded that the most terrifying person in the world was still Zhi Li.

“Who told you all to get close to Brother Zhi Li? You deserved it. Every single one of you deserved it.” Dora still refused to hold her tongue. But now that her true nature was completely exposed, she seemed much more childish. Zhi Li glanced at her expressionlessly. “You’ve been spoiled rotten. Don’t ever stand somewhere that dangerous again.”

A complicated expression crossed Dora’s face, impossible to describe. She nodded hard. “I knew it. I like Brother Zhi Li the most.”

That was who Zhi Li was. He accepted Chu Hao Yu’s and Ying Xiu Jie’s flaws, and naturally, he accepted Dora as well.

“Please, Zhi Li.” Ke Bu savored the effectiveness of that magical phrase.

Something flew through the air and smacked him in the forehead. Rubbing the spot, Ke Bu complained, “That hurt.”

“Don’t use it casually.”

Ke Bu stretched out a hand. Zhi Li took it and pulled him to his feet.

“Don’t get close to Brother Zhi Li. I hate you, Ke Bu.”

Ke Bu stuck out his tongue at Dora. “I’m getting close to him anyway. What are you going to do about it?” Then, as a deliberate provocation, he wrapped his arms around Zhi Li.

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