Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1-C37

Chapter 37: Betrayal

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{Scrаmbling to her feet, she rushed to the counter, flung the last two coins, and frantically pressed the redial button. Her fingers trembled all the while until a familiar choked-up voice rang out from the other end. It was clear their owner had been crying for a long time before they crackled out a hello.}
Winters in D-City were the harshest of them all. Dead leaves mixed with dust churned by the wind darted in one’s face, feeling no different than daggers, snatching away the last bit of warmth residing in the gaps of your clothes and body, making the chill infect one from the skin to the bone.

Scrаmbling to her feet, she rushed to the counter, flung the last two coins, and frantically pressed the redial button. Her fingers trembled all the while until a familiar choked-up voice rang out from the other end. It was clear their owner had been crying for a long time before they crackled out a hello.

_{Scrаmbling to her feet, she rushed to the counter, flung the last two coins, and frantically pressed the redial button. Her fingers trembled all the while until a familiar choked-up voice rang out from the other end. It was clear their owner had been crying for a long time before they crackled out a hello.}Placing the incredibly hot one-yuan coin on the counter, Shen Qing didn’t even mind the strange gaze she got from the clerk. Instead of being sad, she found herself quite joyful.

_{A hollowness encompassed Shen Qing’s gaze, replacing whatever was once there with darkness from which a stream of endless tears sprang forth.}“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”

A hollowness encompassed Shen Qing’s gaze, replacing whatever was once there with darkness from which a stream of endless tears sprang forth.

_{What am I supposed to do with my love for you?}
It was in this weather that Shen Qing sat curled up on a street corner, dressed in nothing but a thin, outdated shirt and a pair of dirty jeans. Her already skinny body appeared even thinner, swallowed up by the frigid wind, making such a pitiful sight that a passerby in the shuffling crowd threw her some change. She reached out and took the coins silently. At that moment, if anyone leaned closer to get a look at her, they would have noticed the abnormal flush staining her cheeks as well as her unstable gaze. It had been three days straight since she’d been roaming about without proper rest, and she had finally reached her limit.

What am I supposed to do with my love for you?

_{“Sorry, Juan’er, can we discuss the details after we meet?” Shen Qing interrupted, her eyes fixed on the timer for her call ticking away. “I missed you like crazy, Juan’er.” She wanted to talk to her longer. If not for Yu Juan occupying her thoughts, she would have never been able to endure the past six months she’d spent locked away.}Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

“Sorry, Juan’er, can we discuss the details after we meet?” Shen Qing interrupted, her eyes fixed on the timer for her call ticking away. “I missed you like crazy, Juan’er.” She wanted to talk to her longer. If not for Yu Juan occupying her thoughts, she would have never been able to endure the past six months she’d spent locked away.

_{“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”}Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”

“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”

_{She was in a daze, one that pushed memories of her high school days to the forefront of her mind, taking her back to her childhood bedroom. Yu Juan was sitting beside her as they watched drаmas on her bed, both knowing nothing of the future awaiting them.}
Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

She was in a daze, one that pushed memories of her high school days to the forefront of her mind, taking her back to her childhood bedroom. Yu Juan was sitting beside her as they watched drаmas on her bed, both knowing nothing of the future awaiting them. She always thought the girl beside her was born with more tears than others, given how much she’d sob when the misunderstandings of the love triangle grew more complex.

_{“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?}“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”

“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?

_{“For the past six months, nobody has been thinking over these things more clearly than I have. So, I’m sorry, A’Qing.}Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.

“For the past six months, nobody has been thinking over these things more clearly than I have. So, I’m sorry, A’Qing. I’m so sorry. Everything was all my fault. I do love you. I love you, too. But love isn’t everything in this life. Your mom has already been hospitalised because of us. My mom is also old like your mom, and just like her, she can’t accept us—she can’t… So please, do you understand how things are now? Can you?”

_{Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”}
During the first day or so, she relied on her relatively clean appearance to get free samples from the supermarkets. But now, every bit of her resembled a vagrant, so whenever she tried to browse through supermarkets, watchful eyes never left her. It was hаrd enough trying to beg for a sip of water, let alone something to eat.

Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”

So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls. Such places had been her place of rest for the past two nights, places where the slightest stirring would make her jump in fright and where she could not dare close her eyes to descend into genuine sleep.

_{“Sorry, Juan’er, can we discuss the details after we meet?” Shen Qing interrupted, her eyes fixed on the timer for her call ticking away. “I missed you like crazy, Juan’er.” She wanted to talk to her longer. If not for Yu Juan occupying her thoughts, she would have never been able to endure the past six months she’d spent locked away.}
So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls. Such places had been her place of rest for the past two nights, places where the slightest stirring would make her jump in fright and where she could not dare close her eyes to descend into genuine sleep.

_N/AShe was in a daze, one that pushed memories of her high school days to the forefront of her mind, taking her back to her childhood bedroom. Yu Juan was sitting beside her as they watched drаmas on her bed, both knowing nothing of the future awaiting them. She always thought the girl beside her was born with more tears than others, given how much she’d sob when the misunderstandings of the love triangle grew more complex.

N/A

_{While Shen Qing droned on, Yu Juan could only stammer, “S-stay right there. D-don’t go anywhere.”}Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.

While Shen Qing droned on, Yu Juan could only stammer, “S-stay right there. D-don’t go anywhere.”

_{Taking out the coins that were tossed her way—coins she had fiddled around with countless times since earlier, while deciding what she would do with them. There were four in total, each worth one yuan. One would be spent to call Yu Juan. Another would be spent to buy a bun. She figured she could just get drinking water from the tap in the supermarket bathroom.}
Now she has a fever. Her face started to grow warm the night prior, yet her hands were so cold she couldn’t tell if the heat was abnormal. All she knew was that her ice-cold palm on her forehead gradually warmed, while the place she pressed against was as cool as an ice cube.

Taking out the coins that were tossed her way—coins she had fiddled around with countless times since earlier, while deciding what she would do with them. There were four in total, each worth one yuan. One would be spent to call Yu Juan. Another would be spent to buy a bun. She figured she could just get drinking water from the tap in the supermarket bathroom.

_{Two coins were left.}Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”

Two coins were left.

Winters in D-City were the harshest of them all. Dead leaves mixed with dust churned by the wind darted in one’s face, feeling no different than daggers, snatching away the last bit of warmth residing in the gaps of your clothes and body, making the chill infect one from the skin to the bone.

_{After hanging up the phone, Shen Qing bought a bagged bun worth one yuan and immediately chomped a few bites to fill her empty gut. Then, while ignoring the harsh gaze the clerk sent her way, she plopped down near the door into a crouch.}Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

After hanging up the phone, Shen Qing bought a bagged bun worth one yuan and immediately chomped a few bites to fill her empty gut. Then, while ignoring the harsh gaze the clerk sent her way, she plopped down near the door into a crouch.

_{“Hello?” A familiar voice sounded from the other end of the line.}
She was in a daze, one that pushed memories of her high school days to the forefront of her mind, taking her back to her childhood bedroom. Yu Juan was sitting beside her as they watched drаmas on her bed, both knowing nothing of the future awaiting them. She always thought the girl beside her was born with more tears than others, given how much she’d sob when the misunderstandings of the love triangle grew more complex.

“Hello?” A familiar voice sounded from the other end of the line.

_{After hanging up the phone, Shen Qing bought a bagged bun worth one yuan and immediately chomped a few bites to fill her empty gut. Then, while ignoring the harsh gaze the clerk sent her way, she plopped down near the door into a crouch.}Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.

_{“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.}Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.

“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.

_{“For the past six months, nobody has been thinking over these things more clearly than I have. So, I’m sorry, A’Qing.}
Handing her a tissue, the Shen Qing from back then made sure to tease as usual, prompting that girl to grab hold of her waist in revenge, twisting that soft flesh three times in both directions until she begged for mercy.

_{Chapter 37: Betrayal}“Do you love me, too?” Shen Qing pressed, but again, she only got a hum in return.

Chapter 37: Betrayal

_{“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?}
I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.

“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?

_{After hanging up the phone, Shen Qing bought a bagged bun worth one yuan and immediately chomped a few bites to fill her empty gut. Then, while ignoring the harsh gaze the clerk sent her way, she plopped down near the door into a crouch.}Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.

_N/A
Taking out the coins that were tossed her way—coins she had fiddled around with countless times since earlier, while deciding what she would do with them. There were four in total, each worth one yuan. One would be spent to call Yu Juan. Another would be spent to buy a bun. She figured she could just get drinking water from the tap in the supermarket bathroom.

N/A

_{Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”}She knew something was wrong from the second she heard Yu Juan’s voice. She had a sinking feeling the fuse for something buried deep in her chеst was being lit, yet despite knowing the danger it posed, she hoped beyond all hope that the explosion would be fireworks, shining and brilliant…

Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”

_N/A“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?

N/A

_{{I miss you so much,} Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.}Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”

I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.

_{“Juan’er, I love you,” Shen Qing declared, but all Yu Juan gave in reply was an affirming hum.}
Two coins were left.

“Juan’er, I love you,” Shen Qing declared, but all Yu Juan gave in reply was an affirming hum.

_{{Soon… Just a little while longer…}}“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?

Soon… Just a little while longer…

_{Winters in D-City were the harshest of them all. Dead leaves mixed with dust churned by the wind darted in one’s face, feeling no different than daggers, snatching away the last bit of warmth residing in the gaps of your clothes and body, making the chill infect one from the skin to the bone.}
She was stuck trying to decide what to do with them. Maybe she could take two buses to get as close to the edge of the city as she could and closer to her own home city. Or maybe she could buy two more buns and hold out until Yu Juan comes to take her home. Regardless, that would be a worry for later. The first matter took priority.

_{“Do you love me, too?” Shen Qing pressed, but again, she only got a hum in return.}Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”

“Do you love me, too?” Shen Qing pressed, but again, she only got a hum in return.

_{It was in this weather that Shen Qing sat curled up on a street corner, dressed in nothing but a thin, outdated shirt and a pair of dirty jeans. Her already skinny body appeared even thinner, swallowed up by the frigid wind, making such a pitiful sight that a passerby in the shuffling crowd threw her some change.}It was only because she was in the convenience store that she did nothing; crouching there, she felt herself turn cold from head to toe.

It was in this weather that Shen Qing sat curled up on a street corner, dressed in nothing but a thin, outdated shirt and a pair of dirty jeans. Her already skinny body appeared even thinner, swallowed up by the frigid wind, making such a pitiful sight that a passerby in the shuffling crowd threw her some change. She reached out and took the coins silently. At that moment, if anyone leaned closer to get a look at her, they would have noticed the abnormal flush staining her cheeks as well as her unstable gaze. It had been three days straight since she’d been roaming about without proper rest, and she had finally reached her limit.

_{Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.}Now she has a fever. Her face started to grow warm the night prior, yet her hands were so cold she couldn’t tell if the heat was abnormal. All she knew was that her ice-cold palm on her forehead gradually warmed, while the place she pressed against was as cool as an ice cube.

Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.

_{So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls.}
Regaining as much of her senses as she could, Shen Qing forced her body onto its feet, but she used so much force she got lightheaded. Catching herself on the wall before she stumbled, she stayed there for a moment before heading to a nearby convenience store.

_{A hollowness encompassed Shen Qing’s gaze, replacing whatever was once there with darkness from which a stream of endless tears sprang forth.}She was stuck trying to decide what to do with them. Maybe she could take two buses to get as close to the edge of the city as she could and closer to her own home city. Or maybe she could buy two more buns and hold out until Yu Juan comes to take her home. Regardless, that would be a worry for later. The first matter took priority.

A hollowness encompassed Shen Qing’s gaze, replacing whatever was once there with darkness from which a stream of endless tears sprang forth.

_{So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls.}Now she has a fever. Her face started to grow warm the night prior, yet her hands were so cold she couldn’t tell if the heat was abnormal. All she knew was that her ice-cold palm on her forehead gradually warmed, while the place she pressed against was as cool as an ice cube.

_{“Can you really live your entire life with everyone looking down on you? Are you really willing to waste even more of your youth fighting against your family? But even if you can ignore all of this, I can’t!}Placing the incredibly hot one-yuan coin on the counter, Shen Qing didn’t even mind the strange gaze she got from the clerk. Instead of being sad, she found herself quite joyful.

“Can you really live your entire life with everyone looking down on you? Are you really willing to waste even more of your youth fighting against your family? But even if you can ignore all of this, I can’t!

_{{Loving you was all I had left.}}“Juan’er, I missed you.” Just hearing the familiar voice reduced the spinning in her head by a lot. So much so, her tone got so sugary that it was enough to make anyone overhearing her cringe. “I busted out of that place. I never want to go back. So, can you please come get me? Pretty please?”

Loving you was all I had left.

_{Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.}
“Phone call, please.”

Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.

_{“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”}What am I supposed to do?

“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”

_{She was stuck trying to decide what to do with them. Maybe she could take two buses to get as close to the edge of the city as she could and closer to her own home city. Or maybe she could buy two more buns and hold out until Yu Juan comes to take her home. Regardless, that would be a worry for later. The first matter took priority.}
Placing the incredibly hot one-yuan coin on the counter, Shen Qing didn’t even mind the strange gaze she got from the clerk. Instead of being sad, she found herself quite joyful.

She was stuck trying to decide what to do with them. Maybe she could take two buses to get as close to the edge of the city as she could and closer to her own home city. Or maybe she could buy two more buns and hold out until Yu Juan comes to take her home. Regardless, that would be a worry for later. The first matter took priority.

_{“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”}N/A

“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”

_{During the first day or so, she relied on her relatively clean appearance to get free samples from the supermarkets. But now, every bit of her resembled a vagrant, so whenever she tried to browse through supermarkets, watchful eyes never left her. It was hаrd enough trying to beg for a sip of water, let alone something to eat.}Two coins were left.

During the first day or so, she relied on her relatively clean appearance to get free samples from the supermarkets. But now, every bit of her resembled a vagrant, so whenever she tried to browse through supermarkets, watchful eyes never left her. It was hаrd enough trying to beg for a sip of water, let alone something to eat.

_{“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”}Scrаmbling to her feet, she rushed to the counter, flung the last two coins, and frantically pressed the redial button. Her fingers trembled all the while until a familiar choked-up voice rang out from the other end. It was clear their owner had been crying for a long time before they crackled out a hello.

“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”

Regaining as much of her senses as she could, Shen Qing forced her body onto its feet, but she used so much force she got lightheaded. Catching herself on the wall before she stumbled, she stayed there for a moment before heading to a nearby convenience store.

_{“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”}Just a little bit…

“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”

_{While Shen Qing droned on, Yu Juan could only stammer, “S-stay right there. D-don’t go anywhere.”}
Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.

While Shen Qing droned on, Yu Juan could only stammer, “S-stay right there. D-don’t go anywhere.”

_{Shen Qing’s family had dragged her away to that self-improvement academy before she could get the chance to tell Yu Juan, and there was no way Yu Juan would ask anyone from the Shen family about their daughter’s whereabouts. So this misunderstanding about her being sent to a private boarding school would have come from hearsay among their classmates at the time.}Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

Shen Qing’s family had dragged her away to that self-improvement academy before she could get the chance to tell Yu Juan, and there was no way Yu Juan would ask anyone from the Shen family about their daughter’s whereabouts. So this misunderstanding about her being sent to a private boarding school would have come from hearsay among their classmates at the time. Either way, news of Shen Qing going to boarding school was a good way of cutting off contact between the girls, exactly as their parents wanted.

_{She knew something was wrong from the second she heard Yu Juan’s voice. She had a sinking feeling the fuse for something buried deep in her chеst was being lit, yet despite knowing the danger it posed, she hoped beyond all hope that the explosion would be fireworks, shining and brilliant…}Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”

She knew something was wrong from the second she heard Yu Juan’s voice. She had a sinking feeling the fuse for something buried deep in her chеst was being lit, yet despite knowing the danger it posed, she hoped beyond all hope that the explosion would be fireworks, shining and brilliant…

_{Chapter 37: Betrayal}N/A

Chapter 37: Betrayal

_{I love you.}
“Hello?” A familiar voice sounded from the other end of the line.

I love you.

_{{What am I supposed to do with my love for you?}}Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

What am I supposed to do with my love for you?

_{“Juan’er, I missed you.” Just hearing the familiar voice reduced the spinning in her head by a lot. So much so, her tone got so sugary that it was enough to make anyone overhearing her cringe. “I busted out of that place. I never want to go back. So, can you please come get me? Pretty please?”}
Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”

“Juan’er, I missed you.” Just hearing the familiar voice reduced the spinning in her head by a lot. So much so, her tone got so sugary that it was enough to make anyone overhearing her cringe. “I busted out of that place. I never want to go back. So, can you please come get me? Pretty please?”

_{{What am I supposed to do?}}“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”

What am I supposed to do?

_{Chapter 37: Betrayal}N/A

Chapter 37: Betrayal

Handing her a tissue, the Shen Qing from back then made sure to tease as usual, prompting that girl to grab hold of her waist in revenge, twisting that soft flesh three times in both directions until she begged for mercy.

_{“Hello?” A familiar voice sounded from the other end of the line.}“Can you really live your entire life with everyone looking down on you? Are you really willing to waste even more of your youth fighting against your family? But even if you can ignore all of this, I can’t!

“Hello?” A familiar voice sounded from the other end of the line.

_{“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”}
“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”

“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”

_{Handing her a tissue, the Shen Qing from back then made sure to tease as usual, prompting that girl to grab hold of her waist in revenge, twisting that soft flesh three times in both directions until she begged for mercy.}Shen Qing’s family had dragged her away to that self-improvement academy before she could get the chance to tell Yu Juan, and there was no way Yu Juan would ask anyone from the Shen family about their daughter’s whereabouts. So this misunderstanding about her being sent to a private boarding school would have come from hearsay among their classmates at the time. Either way, news of Shen Qing going to boarding school was a good way of cutting off contact between the girls, exactly as their parents wanted.

_{“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”}“Phone call, please.”

“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”

_{“Phone call, please.”}Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.

“Phone call, please.”

_{Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”}
Shen Qing’s family had dragged her away to that self-improvement academy before she could get the chance to tell Yu Juan, and there was no way Yu Juan would ask anyone from the Shen family about their daughter’s whereabouts. So this misunderstanding about her being sent to a private boarding school would have come from hearsay among their classmates at the time. Either way, news of Shen Qing going to boarding school was a good way of cutting off contact between the girls, exactly as their parents wanted.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”

_{{For your sake, your parents, my parents—for the sake of not being judged by others…}}Chapter 37: Betrayal

For your sake, your parents, my parents—for the sake of not being judged by others…

_{It was only because she was in the convenience store that she did nothing; crouching there, she felt herself turn cold from head to toe.}“Juan’er, I love you,” Shen Qing declared, but all Yu Juan gave in reply was an affirming hum.

It was only because she was in the convenience store that she did nothing; crouching there, she felt herself turn cold from head to toe.

_{Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”}But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.

Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”

_{“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”}
“Juan’er, I missed you.” Just hearing the familiar voice reduced the spinning in her head by a lot. So much so, her tone got so sugary that it was enough to make anyone overhearing her cringe. “I busted out of that place. I never want to go back. So, can you please come get me? Pretty please?”

“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”

_{{I miss you so much,} Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.}“For the past six months, nobody has been thinking over these things more clearly than I have. So, I’m sorry, A’Qing. I’m so sorry. Everything was all my fault. I do love you. I love you, too. But love isn’t everything in this life. Your mom has already been hospitalised because of us. My mom is also old like your mom, and just like her, she can’t accept us—she can’t… So please, do you understand how things are now? Can you?”

I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.

_{Taking out the coins that were tossed her way—coins she had fiddled around with countless times since earlier, while deciding what she would do with them. There were four in total, each worth one yuan. One would be spent to call Yu Juan. Another would be spent to buy a bun. She figured she could just get drinking water from the tap in the supermarket bathroom.}“Juan’er, I missed you.” Just hearing the familiar voice reduced the spinning in her head by a lot. So much so, her tone got so sugary that it was enough to make anyone overhearing her cringe. “I busted out of that place. I never want to go back. So, can you please come get me? Pretty please?”

_{But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.}Placing the incredibly hot one-yuan coin on the counter, Shen Qing didn’t even mind the strange gaze she got from the clerk. Instead of being sad, she found herself quite joyful.

But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.

_{Now she has a fever. Her face started to grow warm the night prior, yet her hands were so cold she couldn’t tell if the heat was abnormal. All she knew was that her ice-cold palm on her forehead gradually warmed, while the place she pressed against was as cool as an ice cube.}Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”

Now she has a fever. Her face started to grow warm the night prior, yet her hands were so cold she couldn’t tell if the heat was abnormal. All she knew was that her ice-cold palm on her forehead gradually warmed, while the place she pressed against was as cool as an ice cube.

Placing the incredibly hot one-yuan coin on the counter, Shen Qing didn’t even mind the strange gaze she got from the clerk. Instead of being sad, she found herself quite joyful.

_{But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.}She knew something was wrong from the second she heard Yu Juan’s voice. She had a sinking feeling the fuse for something buried deep in her chеst was being lit, yet despite knowing the danger it posed, she hoped beyond all hope that the explosion would be fireworks, shining and brilliant…

But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.

_{Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”}
“Sorry, Juan’er, can we discuss the details after we meet?” Shen Qing interrupted, her eyes fixed on the timer for her call ticking away. “I missed you like crazy, Juan’er.” She wanted to talk to her longer. If not for Yu Juan occupying her thoughts, she would have never been able to endure the past six months she’d spent locked away.

_{Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”}What am I supposed to do?

Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”

_{But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.}
“A’Qing… where are you right now?” Yu Juan asked during the lull between them.

But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.

_{{Just a little bit… }}What am I supposed to do with my love for you?

Just a little bit…

_{“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.}“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.

“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.

_{“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”}
Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”

“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”

_{“I love you.”}She was stuck trying to decide what to do with them. Maybe she could take two buses to get as close to the edge of the city as she could and closer to her own home city. Or maybe she could buy two more buns and hold out until Yu Juan comes to take her home. Regardless, that would be a worry for later. The first matter took priority.

“I love you.”

_{“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”}Loving you was all I had left.

“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”

_{It was only because she was in the convenience store that she did nothing; crouching there, she felt herself turn cold from head to toe.}Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.

It was only because she was in the convenience store that she did nothing; crouching there, she felt herself turn cold from head to toe.

_N/A
While Shen Qing droned on, Yu Juan could only stammer, “S-stay right there. D-don’t go anywhere.”

N/A

_{Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”}“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”

Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”

_{Handing her a tissue, the Shen Qing from back then made sure to tease as usual, prompting that girl to grab hold of her waist in revenge, twisting that soft flesh three times in both directions until she begged for mercy.}
Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.

_{“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”}“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”

“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”

_{Loving you was all I had left.}
“Juan’er, I love you,” Shen Qing declared, but all Yu Juan gave in reply was an affirming hum.

Loving you was all I had left.

_{Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”}What am I supposed to do with my love for you?

Shen Qing asked the clerk for the address and repeated it to Yu Juan, adding, “You don’t have to rush over here, by the way. And be careful taking the train…”

_{“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”}For your sake, your parents, my parents—for the sake of not being judged by others…

“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”

_{“Phone call, please.”}A hollowness encompassed Shen Qing’s gaze, replacing whatever was once there with darkness from which a stream of endless tears sprang forth.

“Phone call, please.”

_{After hanging up the phone, Shen Qing bought a bagged bun worth one yuan and immediately chomped a few bites to fill her empty gut. Then, while ignoring the harsh gaze the clerk sent her way, she plopped down near the door into a crouch.}
After hanging up the phone, Shen Qing bought a bagged bun worth one yuan and immediately chomped a few bites to fill her empty gut. Then, while ignoring the harsh gaze the clerk sent her way, she plopped down near the door into a crouch.

_{“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”}So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls. Such places had been her place of rest for the past two nights, places where the slightest stirring would make her jump in fright and where she could not dare close her eyes to descend into genuine sleep.

“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”

_{Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home.}Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”

Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

_{“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.}Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”

“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.

_{{I miss you so much,} Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.}“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?

I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.

_{Now she has a fever. Her face started to grow warm the night prior, yet her hands were so cold she couldn’t tell if the heat was abnormal. All she knew was that her ice-cold palm on her forehead gradually warmed, while the place she pressed against was as cool as an ice cube.}
Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.

_{“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.}“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”

“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.

_{“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”}
It was only because she was in the convenience store that she did nothing; crouching there, she felt herself turn cold from head to toe.

“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”

_{Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home.}Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.

_{{Just a little bit… }}Loving you was all I had left.

Just a little bit…

_{“A’Qing… where are you right now?” Yu Juan asked during the lull between them.}
She knew something was wrong from the second she heard Yu Juan’s voice. She had a sinking feeling the fuse for something buried deep in her chеst was being lit, yet despite knowing the danger it posed, she hoped beyond all hope that the explosion would be fireworks, shining and brilliant…

“A’Qing… where are you right now?” Yu Juan asked during the lull between them.

_{Taking out the coins that were tossed her way—coins she had fiddled around with countless times since earlier, while deciding what she would do with them. There were four in total, each worth one yuan. One would be spent to call Yu Juan. Another would be spent to buy a bun. She figured she could just get drinking water from the tap in the supermarket bathroom.}“For the past six months, nobody has been thinking over these things more clearly than I have. So, I’m sorry, A’Qing. I’m so sorry. Everything was all my fault. I do love you. I love you, too. But love isn’t everything in this life. Your mom has already been hospitalised because of us. My mom is also old like your mom, and just like her, she can’t accept us—she can’t… So please, do you understand how things are now? Can you?”

_{“Can you really live your entire life with everyone looking down on you? Are you really willing to waste even more of your youth fighting against your family? But even if you can ignore all of this, I can’t!}Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”

_{“Phone call, please.”}“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”

“Phone call, please.”

_{“I love you.”}
But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.

“I love you.”

_{Regaining as much of her senses as she could, Shen Qing forced her body onto its feet, but she used so much force she got lightheaded. Catching herself on the wall before she stumbled, she stayed there for a moment before heading to a nearby convenience store.}Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

_{Two coins were left.}During the first day or so, she relied on her relatively clean appearance to get free samples from the supermarkets. But now, every bit of her resembled a vagrant, so whenever she tried to browse through supermarkets, watchful eyes never left her. It was hаrd enough trying to beg for a sip of water, let alone something to eat.

Two coins were left.

_{Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”}“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”

Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”

_{Chapter 37: Betrayal}
Scrаmbling to her feet, she rushed to the counter, flung the last two coins, and frantically pressed the redial button. Her fingers trembled all the while until a familiar choked-up voice rang out from the other end. It was clear their owner had been crying for a long time before they crackled out a hello.

Chapter 37: Betrayal

_{“Can you really live your entire life with everyone looking down on you? Are you really willing to waste even more of your youth fighting against your family? But even if you can ignore all of this, I can’t!}So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls. Such places had been her place of rest for the past two nights, places where the slightest stirring would make her jump in fright and where she could not dare close her eyes to descend into genuine sleep.

_{{I miss you so much,} Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.}So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls. Such places had been her place of rest for the past two nights, places where the slightest stirring would make her jump in fright and where she could not dare close her eyes to descend into genuine sleep.

I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.

_{Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”}So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls. Such places had been her place of rest for the past two nights, places where the slightest stirring would make her jump in fright and where she could not dare close her eyes to descend into genuine sleep.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Qing made her voice sound like its usual spritely tone before she spoke, “Juan’er… It’s me.”

_{Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.}
“I love you, Juan’er.” Shen Qing seemed to have lost her usual ability to speak, as only that singular sentence could escape her lips. “I love you…. I love you…”

Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.

_{Chapter 37: Betrayal}“Sorry, Juan’er, can we discuss the details after we meet?” Shen Qing interrupted, her eyes fixed on the timer for her call ticking away. “I missed you like crazy, Juan’er.” She wanted to talk to her longer. If not for Yu Juan occupying her thoughts, she would have never been able to endure the past six months she’d spent locked away.

Chapter 37: Betrayal

_{Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.}
“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?

Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.

_{“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”}She was stuck trying to decide what to do with them. Maybe she could take two buses to get as close to the edge of the city as she could and closer to her own home city. Or maybe she could buy two more buns and hold out until Yu Juan comes to take her home. Regardless, that would be a worry for later. The first matter took priority.

“You busted out?” Yu Juan noticeably paused. “You—”

_{“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.}
“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.

“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.

_{Taking out the coins that were tossed her way—coins she had fiddled around with countless times since earlier, while deciding what she would do with them. There were four in total, each worth one yuan. One would be spent to call Yu Juan. Another would be spent to buy a bun. She figured she could just get drinking water from the tap in the supermarket bathroom.}Now she has a fever. Her face started to grow warm the night prior, yet her hands were so cold she couldn’t tell if the heat was abnormal. All she knew was that her ice-cold palm on her forehead gradually warmed, while the place she pressed against was as cool as an ice cube.

_{“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”}“You will be twenty this year, Shen Qing, and I’ll be twenty-one. We’re not kids anymore. You have to grow up. We both do.

“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”

_{Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.}Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.

_{Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home.}
“Can you really live your entire life with everyone looking down on you? Are you really willing to waste even more of your youth fighting against your family? But even if you can ignore all of this, I can’t!

_{She knew something was wrong from the second she heard Yu Juan’s voice. She had a sinking feeling the fuse for something buried deep in her chеst was being lit, yet despite knowing the danger it posed, she hoped beyond all hope that the explosion would be fireworks, shining and brilliant…}
“For the past six months, nobody has been thinking over these things more clearly than I have. So, I’m sorry, A’Qing. I’m so sorry. Everything was all my fault. I do love you. I love you, too. But love isn’t everything in this life. Your mom has already been hospitalised because of us. My mom is also old like your mom, and just like her, she can’t accept us—she can’t… So please, do you understand how things are now? Can you?”

_{{Just a little bit… }}Almost two hours after Shen Qing had begun waiting, a van stopped outside the store, and two large men dressed in a familiar set of camouflage uniforms exited.

Just a little bit…

_{Soon… Just a little while longer…}
Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”

Soon… Just a little while longer…

_{What am I supposed to do?}
A hollowness encompassed Shen Qing’s gaze, replacing whatever was once there with darkness from which a stream of endless tears sprang forth.

What am I supposed to do?

_{Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.}Loving you was all I had left.

Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.

_{“Sorry, Juan’er, can we discuss the details after we meet?” Shen Qing interrupted, her eyes fixed on the timer for her call ticking away. “I missed you like crazy, Juan’er.” She wanted to talk to her longer. If not for Yu Juan occupying her thoughts, she would have never been able to endure the past six months she’d spent locked away.}Taking out the coins that were tossed her way—coins she had fiddled around with countless times since earlier, while deciding what she would do with them. There were four in total, each worth one yuan. One would be spent to call Yu Juan. Another would be spent to buy a bun. She figured she could just get drinking water from the tap in the supermarket bathroom.

_{{What am I supposed to do?}}After hanging up the phone, Shen Qing bought a bagged bun worth one yuan and immediately chomped a few bites to fill her empty gut. Then, while ignoring the harsh gaze the clerk sent her way, she plopped down near the door into a crouch.

What am I supposed to do?

_{Just a little bit…}
“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”

Just a little bit…

_{A hollowness encompassed Shen Qing’s gaze, replacing whatever was once there with darkness from which a stream of endless tears sprang forth.}Taking out the coins that were tossed her way—coins she had fiddled around with countless times since earlier, while deciding what she would do with them. There were four in total, each worth one yuan. One would be spent to call Yu Juan. Another would be spent to buy a bun. She figured she could just get drinking water from the tap in the supermarket bathroom.

A hollowness encompassed Shen Qing’s gaze, replacing whatever was once there with darkness from which a stream of endless tears sprang forth.

_{Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.}Handing her a tissue, the Shen Qing from back then made sure to tease as usual, prompting that girl to grab hold of her waist in revenge, twisting that soft flesh three times in both directions until she begged for mercy.

Her fingers carefully pressed number after number, somehow fearing she would press the wrong one despite reciting it countless times in her heart.

_N/A“I love you.”

N/A

_{{What am I supposed to do?}}Chapter 37: Betrayal

What am I supposed to do?

_{“Phone call, please.”}
“I love you.”

“Phone call, please.”

_{But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.}Loving you was all I had left.

But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.

_{“Phone call, please.”}So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls. Such places had been her place of rest for the past two nights, places where the slightest stirring would make her jump in fright and where she could not dare close her eyes to descend into genuine sleep.

“Phone call, please.”

_{For your sake, your parents, my parents—for the sake of not being judged by others…}
I love you.

For your sake, your parents, my parents—for the sake of not being judged by others…

_{{Loving you was all I had left.}}“Can you really live your entire life with everyone looking down on you? Are you really willing to waste even more of your youth fighting against your family? But even if you can ignore all of this, I can’t!

Loving you was all I had left.

_{{I miss you so much,} Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.}Two coins were left.

I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.

_{Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.}Shen Qing’s family had dragged her away to that self-improvement academy before she could get the chance to tell Yu Juan, and there was no way Yu Juan would ask anyone from the Shen family about their daughter’s whereabouts. So this misunderstanding about her being sent to a private boarding school would have come from hearsay among their classmates at the time. Either way, news of Shen Qing going to boarding school was a good way of cutting off contact between the girls, exactly as their parents wanted.

Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.

_{Two coins were left.}
Loving you was all I had left.

Two coins were left.

_{Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”}Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

_{“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”}“I know…” Yu Juan replied. This time, her voice was steady, albeit a bit nasally. “Listen, Shen Qing, we can’t do this anymore. Do you understand?

“A’Qing?” Traces of shock and confusion were clear in the female voice at the other end. “Didn’t… didn’t you get sent to a boarding school?”

_{Placing the incredibly hot one-yuan coin on the counter, Shen Qing didn’t even mind the strange gaze she got from the clerk. Instead of being sad, she found herself quite joyful.}Scrаmbling to her feet, she rushed to the counter, flung the last two coins, and frantically pressed the redial button. Her fingers trembled all the while until a familiar choked-up voice rang out from the other end. It was clear their owner had been crying for a long time before they crackled out a hello.

Placing the incredibly hot one-yuan coin on the counter, Shen Qing didn’t even mind the strange gaze she got from the clerk. Instead of being sad, she found herself quite joyful.

_{I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.}
For your sake, your parents, my parents—for the sake of not being judged by others…

I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.

_{She knew something was wrong from the second she heard Yu Juan’s voice. She had a sinking feeling the fuse for something buried deep in her chеst was being lit, yet despite knowing the danger it posed, she hoped beyond all hope that the explosion would be fireworks, shining and brilliant…}So, like this, Shen Qing was starving, relying solely on tap water to survive until now. To get what little sleep she could manage, she found the furthest corner of the tunnels frequented by other homeless souls. Such places had been her place of rest for the past two nights, places where the slightest stirring would make her jump in fright and where she could not dare close her eyes to descend into genuine sleep.

_{It was only because she was in the convenience store that she did nothing; crouching there, she felt herself turn cold from head to toe.}
What am I supposed to do?

It was only because she was in the convenience store that she did nothing; crouching there, she felt herself turn cold from head to toe.

_{“For the past six months, nobody has been thinking over these things more clearly than I have. So, I’m sorry, A’Qing.}Shen Qing wasn’t from D-City, nor were any friends or family there that she knew. In the unfamiliar city, she had no phone or wallet, as they were confiscated by the school, and no identification, as it had long been left at home. Fearing it would arouse suspicion, she had even ditched her military-style coat in the bathroom stall before jumping the wall in her escape. What’s more, calling her family was out of the question—they would send her back in an instant—and she had failed to commit a single one of her friends’ phone numbers to memory. Right then, she had nothing, nothing but the freedom she fought so hаrd to earn.

_{{I miss you so much,} Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.}Just a little bit…

I miss you so much, Shen Qing thought, her hand reaching into her pocket.

_{But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.}Saying this, Yu Juan took a moment before she added, the tears now streaming from her eyes, “I called your mom not too long ago… She said she will take you away from that place immediately once you understand—only if you understand.”

But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.

_N/A“What about me, then? What should I do, Yu Juan?”

N/A

_{“Do you love me, too?” Shen Qing pressed, but again, she only got a hum in return.}
What am I supposed to do with my love for you?

“Do you love me, too?” Shen Qing pressed, but again, she only got a hum in return.

_{While Shen Qing droned on, Yu Juan could only stammer, “S-stay right there. D-don’t go anywhere.”}Two coins were left.

While Shen Qing droned on, Yu Juan could only stammer, “S-stay right there. D-don’t go anywhere.”

_{Two coins were left.}N/A

Two coins were left.

_N/ARegaining as much of her senses as she could, Shen Qing forced her body onto its feet, but she used so much force she got lightheaded. Catching herself on the wall before she stumbled, she stayed there for a moment before heading to a nearby convenience store.

N/A

_{Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.}But what went off was a bomb, one that shattered all her hopes and decimated every shred of her love.

Right then, Shen Qing couldn’t help but notice that the other girl’s tone was unfamiliar, sounding quite different from her usual self.

Author's Note:

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Notes:

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Updated on a Saturday. Raws: jjwxc

Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1-C37

Chapter 37: Betrayal

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