Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 484: Why Must It Be Him?
"Boss?" Chen Youzhi was so alarmed upon seeing the colors drain from He Juan’s face that he couldn’t help but inquire with caution, "Is there something wrong?" He turned his gaze to the paper He Juan appeared so intently focused on, but he could discover nothing for all of them were strangers. Or had He Juan seen someone he knew?
He Juan, on the other hand, couldn’t hear anything past the deafening roar in his ears. A frigid numbness slithered down his spine and his skin broke out in a clammy sheen, making him shiver as the air-con’s draft brushed against him.
How? His mind clamored. How had he failed to notice that Xia Weisheng was near enough to die immediately upon being attacked by Ye Hu’s pheromones? Then again, their clothing store was not even situated in Yuyang— so what was he doing in this city?!
When he thought of what would have happened if He Xie was together with that man...
Alas, was it even important now? No matter how frantically He Juan questioned everything, it would not change the fact that Xia Weisheng had become one of the victims, and He Xie... had lost someone extremely dear to him.
He Juan inhaled sharply, and his vision seemed to spin for a moment as he turned toward the direction where He Xie had taken. His headache surged, a piercing ache that pounded on his skull like a hammer, but he did not even take notice of it. Right now, the only thought in his mind was— I can’t leave He Xie alone at a time like this!
His feet moved before his brain could even process it. From behind, Chen Youzhi called out to him in shock, but he ignored him in lieu of rushing towards the elevator. However, as he stood before the illuminated panel, he realized that he did not even know which floor he should select.
"Boss!" Chen Youzhi jogged to catch up to him, his expression one of deep concern. "Is everything okay?"
He Juan parted his lips to respond, but he ended up coughing for how dry his throat was. With a hoarse and strained voice, he gestured towards the elevator. "Lead the way. To the floor where the deceased are."
He Juan could perceive a swirl of questions in Chen Youzhi’s gaze, but he lacked the energy to explain at this moment. Fortunately, having served as his subordinate for years, Chen Youzhi knew better than to press him for an explanation at this juncture, so he stepped forward, pressed the elevator button, and led He Juan to the fifth floor.
Perhaps it was just his imagination, but as the metal doors glided open, He Juan could sense an unmistakable chill in the air and it was cold, much colder than the lobby’s temperature. Despite his feet which felt as heavy as lead, he forced himself to exit the elevator, following Chen Youzhi through the corridors. He had not even turned into the corner yet when He Xie’s voice reached his ears, sounding so emotionally raw and furious unlike anything He Juan had ever heard from his mild and gentle brother.
"What do you... what do you mean the murderer hasn’t been caught yet?! They have killed so many people— how can they still be free?!"
He Juan’s steps abruptly faltered, his gaze remaining fixed on the creamy wall before him, unable to move another inch forward.
A woman, presumably the nurse, spoke to He Xie cautiously, "Sir, the culprit is still on the run, and the police are currently pursuing them as we speak. Please remain patient and hope for the best. My deepest condolences for your loss."
He Xie’s anguished cries echoed throughout the space, raspy and on the brink of shattering. He seemed to be teetering on the edge of emotional collapse. "The police? What good are they?" A brittle laugh erupted from his lips, bitter and hollow, and every sound was akin to a serrated blade that seared through He Juan’s very soul. "They only stood idly by when my parents were murdered in cold blood. They were useless then, and they will also be useless now! They will not be able to apprehend A–Sheng’s murderer! A–Sheng, A–Sheng, how... how could you leave me behind like this?!! This can’t be real... this definitely cannot be real...!"
He Juan’s fingers clenched into fists, the pressure so intense that his nails pierced into the flesh and drew forth beads of blood. Yet he was unable to register the pain as his entire body had turned numb. Move! His mind kept screaming at him. Why are you still here?! Why haven’t you rushed forward to hold him?! He is your brother, he needs you now!
However, another small voice whispered within him, What if he starts to ask you questions? Can you hold yourself back upon seeing his tears? Can you lie to his face? Lie that... you don’t know who the culprit is...
The words he had spoken just moments ago echoed in his mind. I know it’s not his fault. The memory felt like a resounding slap across his face. It stung. It burned hot— the shame, guilt, and sorrow. They eroded his heart, grinding and crushing the bloody flesh, and transformed into shackles that tethered him in place.
Never before had He Juan loathed himself as much as he did now.
He stood behind the wall, allowing He Xie’s heart-wrenching cries to cascade over him akin to sulfuric acid on his bloody flesh. And oh, it hurt, it was excruciating. Hearing his beloved brother mourn and wail in such a harrowing way hurt so much that He Juan wished he could rip his heart out. He staggered backward and collapsed against the wall, an empty and desolate laughter escaping his lips.
Why... of billions of people in the world, did it have to be Xia Weisheng? Why must it be He Xie’s lover?! Why?!
He Juan clenched his teeth so hard that he tasted blood inside his mouth. He attempted to breathe, to alleviate the oppressive pressure constricting his chest, yet it was as if something had lodged itself in his throat, rendering even the simplest act a struggle.
All of a sudden, a faint commotion broke through his spiraling thoughts, and his eyes widened when he found that He Xie had collapsed to the ground.
"Ah!" The nurse’s startled cry pierced the air. "Someone has fainted! Doctor!"
This time, He Juan no longer cared that his identity would be exposed as he rushed forward and took He Xie into his arms, cradling the man with such gentleness as though afraid that he would shatter with the slightest touch. An acute pain seared through his body as he beheld the tears streaking He Xie’s face. Even in his unconscious state, his brows remained furrowed as if ensnared in a nightmarish turmoil.
He Juan’s hands trembled as a wave of overwhelming fear surged within him. The man in his arms looked so pale, so fragile and vulnerable as though he could dissipate into the air at any moment. "Where the fuck is the doctor?!" He roared, his voice a tumult of anger and anxiety.
