Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)

After fifteen minutes was up, He Juan took the melted ice pack away and showed a look of satisfaction when Mu Yuze’s eyes did not look as terrible anymore. They were still a bit bloodshot, but at least the redness on his eyelids had receded to the corner of his eyes.

He handed over a tissue for Mu Yuze to wipe the water on his face. "Your eyes are not hurting, right?"

Mu Yuze quietly shook his head in response.

He Juan observed him and carefully said, "About the exam..." his keen eyes noticed how Mu Yuze became still once he breached the topic again. Sighing, He Juan reached out to squeeze his hands and told him, "I was going to say that it’s okay if you don’t want to attend it. Gege will talk with Teacher Wei to let her know. It’s okay even if you fail your class..." he trailed off and his gaze hardened in determination as plans started to form in his mind. He looked up at Mu Yuze from where he was sitting on the floor with an easy and careless smile. "Well, you know what? Just drop out of that school. Gege will take care of the paperwork for you, so you can just take it easy and rest at home. What do you say?"

Mu Yuze gaped at him, speechless. Was this still the same He Juan who got angry at him a moment ago just because of the red marks? "You... want me to drop out of school?" he asked, puzzled.

Considering how Mu Yuze was unable to read the medical articles Jia Molei had sent him, He Juan had taken it upon himself to read it out for the boy. Not only that, He Juan also repeatedly assured him that it was normal, that he was not stupid like he thought he was, that many other people in the world suffered from dyslexic like him too. Mu Yuze was not alone because He Juan would be there with him along the way.

His gentle and thorough explanation almost caused Mu Yuze to burst into tears again. But this time, it was not the tears of frustration and humiliation, but of joy and gratitude for the warmth that He Juan had showered him with.

How? How could someone so gentle and warm exist in this world? How could he be so lucky to meet He Juan in his life?

If this one encounter was the price he had to pay in exchange for the fourteen years’ worth of bitterness and torture, then Mu Yuze couldn’t find it in himself to regret it even for a split second.

"Geez, look at you..." He Juan clicked his tongue, both in amusement and distress, when Mu Yuze blew his nose again for the nth time. "Why haven’t I realized how much of a crybaby you are? Hmm? Did you just pretend to be tough all this while?"

When Mu Yuze shot him a dark glare, He Juan coughed to mask his laughter and dragged the topic back, "That’s why, I think that public school is no longer suitable for the future path of your education. For starters, your lesson plan must be different from your peers. Okay, okay, don’t give me such an anxious look. Who do you think I am? Just take it easy and leave everything to me, okay?" He Juan flashed a reassuring smile at him.

When that gentle hand once again stroked his head, Mu Yuze had to close his eyes to resist the urge to lean onto it, as for the very first time, a perfect sense of peace and serenity washed over him like spring rain that finally descended to nourish the barrenness of his heart.

He had no idea how He Juan did it, but not only did he manage to pry open the chained closet to Mu Yuze’s skeletons, but he also scooped them up in his arms like they weighed nothing at all, like they were not something to be ashamed of – but to be cherished.

’Is this how having a big brother feels like?’ Mu Yuze found himself wondering, but then he quickly denied it once he perceived something was not right. ’No, this man is not my big brother, and he will never be. He is more than that... more special, more important, more...’

The fifteen years old Mu Yuze was still unable to comprehend the depth and complexity of his feelings. He only knew deep in his heart and soul that He Juan’s existence was different for him compared to others. As for how different it was, he couldn’t quite put it into words.

One thing for sure, he wanted to be the best version of himself in front of He Juan. So that the man would not regret ever taking him in and showing him such warmth, so that he would keep gazing at him with such a tender look...

For that, he wanted to be the best in He Juan’s eyes.

***

For the next few days, Mu Yuze heeded He Juan’s words and did not go to school anymore, letting the man deal with the paperwork to process his discharge. Quite a few times, he caught He Juan on his phone during unusual hours, seemingly quite busy with something.

At first, Mu Yuze thought that he was just handling his own work, until one day, he overheard He Juan muttering something like ’hospital’ and ’examination’.

Mu Yuze’s expression sank in worry as he hid himself behind the wall, heart thudding heavily in his chest. Hospital? Who needed to go to the hospital? He Juan? But didn’t he say that he had always gone to Doctor Jia’s clinic everytime he needed medical treatment? So why would he want to go to a hospital all of a sudden? It couldn’t be...

His eyes widened once realization dawned on him. For him? Was it to bring him for an eye examination? But... why such fanfare?

"Okay," he heard the man let out a sigh of relief. "Then I will leave it to you. Mn, thank you."

Realizing that the phone call was reaching the end, Mu Yuze panicked and hastily scurried away from his hiding place before He Juan noticed his presence, unaware that behind him, He Juan tilted his head to glance at the wall where he had been eavesdropping on the conversation until a moment ago.

"Why the fuck are you laughing all of a sudden?" Jia Molei grumbled under his breath. "It’s so damn creepy." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Nothing," He Juan shook his head, helpless. "The little bunny in my house is quite sneaky and very good at hiding in his burrow."

"Wait, what?! You, of all people, own a fucking bunny?! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?! What color is it? Quickly send me a picture, damn it!"

Taken aback by the sudden barrage of questions, He Juan blinked and burst out into laughter. Even though he had realized that Jia Molei was an utter softie, he would still be surprised again and again when something happened to remind him of it. Against Jia Molei’s wrathful tirade, he chuckled, "My little bunny? Haven’t you seen him already, Doctor Jia?"

"Huh? I—"

"Okay, I need to go now. See you later!" Not waiting for a response from the other side, He Juan hung up on the call and slipped the phone into his pocket. He couldn’t help but shake his head in mirth when he recalled Jia Molei’s words.

"Want a picture of my bunny?" He let out a little scoff. "Keep dreaming, then."