Chapter 37 Part 1
It took Qi Yu a while to process the information.
He had never met Shi Xu’s brother, but he had met his sister, and knew a few things about her.
For example, she had a boyfriend of seven years, and they were about to get married.
And then, she died. Her boyfriend, refusing to believe it, disappeared after searching for her in vain.
Qi Yu wasn’t one to pry into others’ private lives. Even Shi Xu avoided mentioning his past, not caring about his sister’s boyfriend’s whereabouts, so Qi Yu didn’t either.
Years later, the mention of this person made him pause. “Wasn’t your sister’s boyfriend missing…”
“Yes,” Shi Xu replied indifferently.
The word “missing,” combined with the recent events, sparked a realization in Qi Yu. He picked up a photo, no longer finding it as repulsive as before.
None of the photos showed a clear face, only a pair of eyes.
“How did you recognize him?” Qi Yu asked, incredulous.
He wouldn’t be able to recognize someone in that state. How did Shi Xu do it?
“I’ve forgotten what he looked like, but I remember one detail.” Shi Xu pointed at the person’s right eye in the photo. “He has a scar on his right eyelid, from a childhood injury. It never healed.”
“You’re certain based on just a scar?” Qi Yu still couldn’t believe it. “It could be a coincidence. Someone else could have a similar scar.”
Shi Xu rubbed his temples, sighing. “That’s why I looked at the photos for so long, to be sure.”
He didn’t care about anyone besides his siblings, not even his sister’s boyfriend.
He only remembered the scar because his sister had mentioned it.
“Xiao Xu has a mole under his right eye. Ah Cheng also has a mark above his eye, but it’s different. When he closes his eyes, it looks like a scar, but when he opens them, it’s a mole. Like magic, isn’t it interesting?”
Shi Xu had a good memory. His sister’s words were imprinted in his mind. He remembered the shape of the scar. The photos were clear. He scrutinized them for a long time before reaching a conclusion.
Shi Xu’s certainty convinced Qi Yu, but it also raised more questions.
“Why was your sister’s boyfriend at Jinzhu Bay? Was he consumed by that pollutant when he disappeared?” Qi Yu paused. “But your sister died when you were eight. He disappeared the following year. That pollutant only started causing trouble in Jinzhu Bay seven years ago…”
Qi Yu had too many questions, none of which Shi Xu could answer.
He didn’t know the truth either. “I don’t have the answers, but one thing is certain. He wasn’t missing. He was consumed by a pollutant.” While searching for his sister, he died.
The same fate as his brother.
Shi Xu closed his eyes, his emotions complex.
After his sister’s boyfriend disappeared, he heard many rumors—
Some said he was so heartbroken that he followed his sister.
Some said they had broken up, his disappearance a mere excuse to leave.
Shi Xu knew he would never betray his sister. Even he, who didn’t understand love, could sense his deep affection for her.
He had met him a few times after his sister’s death.
The man, no longer his usual confident self, still managed a smile, reassuring him, “Xiao Xu, don’t worry, I’ll find your sister. I promise!”
Shi Xu was only eight then, but he knew his sister was dead, never coming back.
His sister’s boyfriend, however, clung to hope.
He made a promise to Shi Xu, a promise that seemed to sustain him.
Then, he disappeared, only to reappear 15 years later, as a pollutant.
Qi Yu noticed Shi Xu’s distress. He was usually calm and composed, but matters concerning his siblings always affected him deeply.
He patted Shi Xu’s shoulder, offering comfort. “It could just be a coincidence. Don’t overthink it.”
His sister had mentioned that her boyfriend’s family had passed away long ago. Shi Xu couldn’t inform them.
He knew the man loved his sister deeply, their bond more than just romantic love, perhaps even familial. She was his everything, which was why he refused to believe she was dead, relentlessly searching for her.
Perhaps it really was just a coincidence.
Shi Xu opened his eyes, forcing a smile. “I’m fine.”
“Really?” Qi Yu asked.
Shi Xu, after a long pause, took out a piece of paper, handing it to Qi Yu.
“What’s this?”
Shi Xu: “The day I decided to leave the bureau, I found this in my mailbox. It hinted at a clue I was looking for.”
That was why he chose this job.
Three words were written on the paper: [Jinzhu Bay]
Qi Yu asked, “What were you looking for?”
“My sister didn’t die from falling off a cliff. Shi Yan told me she…” He paused, his voice strained. “She was killed by a pollutant. I want to know the truth, to find the one that killed her.”
If his sister was truly gone, he would avenge her.
If she had become a Variant, like his brother, he would end her suffering.
It took Qi Yu a moment to realize who Shi Yan was. Shi Xu using his name indicated a complete lack of affection.
There was nothing to be affectionate about.
He was happy for Shi Xu, glad he finally broke free from Shi Yan’s control. Staying with that man would only destroy him.
Qi Yu carefully put away the note. “You want me to find the person who sent this, right?”
Shi Xu nodded. “If you can’t find them, it’s fine. Don’t risk your life for this.”
Qi Yu smiled knowingly. “I know, don’t worry.”
After the Lin Zhi incident, he had become more cautious, not wanting to be a liability, no longer easily angered or manipulated.
“If this is related to your sister, then it’s not over. The person who sent this must have known about the pollutant, but they didn’t say anything, letting it cause havoc. They must have ulterior motives. Are you sure you want to stay at Jinzhu Bay?”
Shi Xu understood his concern, but he smiled indifferently. “Why not? It’s not easy to find a job with such good pay and benefits, and it’s close to home, no overtime.”
“…Stop, you’re making me want to resign and join you.”
To prevent that thought from taking root, he quickly changed the subject. “I’m off today. Are you free after work? Is your partner free?”
Shi Xu: “What do you want?”
Qi Yu’s voice rose in exasperation. “What do you think I want?! You promised!”
Shi Xu: “Tonight then.”
“I knew you were stalling, you…” Qi Yu paused, incredulous. “W-What did you say?”
“Didn’t you hear me?” Shi Xu shrugged, feigning regret. “If you’re not free, it’s fine.”
Qi Yu’s expression instantly changed. He grabbed Shi Xu’s shoulder, excited. “I’m free! I’m free! I’m free!”
A sudden chill ran down his spine. He shivered, glancing out the window.
A tall, handsome young man stood outside, radiating killing intent, his face contorted with rage, his golden eyes burning. Qi Yu almost felt scorched by his fury.
He swallowed nervously. “Why is he looking at me like that?”
As if he had committed a heinous crime. But he didn’t even know this person!
Shi Xu followed his gaze, seeing Gu Sui’s anger. He explained calmly, “He’s my boyfriend. He’s jealous because you’re too close to me.”
Qi Yu: “…”
The person he had been so eager to meet was now before him, but his excitement was replaced by unease.
He hadn’t anticipated this. He had imagined a pleasant meeting, not a hostile confrontation.
“Hello, I’m Gu Sui, Shi Xu’s husb…” Shi Xu’s gaze made him swallow the last word. “I’m Shi Xu’s boyfriend.”
“Hello, I’m Qi Yu, Shi Xu’s childhood friend.” He extended his hand, his voice trembling slightly. Gu Sui didn’t ignore him, but his grip was almost bone-crushing.
He confirmed his earlier suspicion: Shi Xu’s partner was incredibly jealous.
After the brief handshake, Gu Sui released his hand, rushing to Shi Xu’s side, placing the food container he had been carrying on the table, his demeanor towards Shi Xu a stark contrast to his coldness towards Qi Yu, almost excessively attentive.
“Wife, I… made… fried shrimp… Freshly made… I was afraid… it would get… soggy… so I… ran… Don’t worry… no one… saw me…” He chattered as he picked up a golden-brown shrimp, offering it to Shi Xu.
They seemed accustomed to this, Gu Sui’s movements practiced, Shi Xu accepting the offering without hesitation.
Despite the lack of overt affection, the scene made Qi Yu uncomfortable, his mind screaming, “What the fuck?!”
This wasn’t the Shi Xu he knew. Were all couples this sickeningly sweet?
Shi Xu swallowed the shrimp, signaling Gu Sui to wait, then turned to the stunned Qi Yu, pointing at the food container. “I asked Gu Sui to make enough for two. Have some.”
So, Shi Xu had intended to introduce them today.
Qi Yu, still dazed, mumbled, “Oh,” then flinched under Gu Sui’s glare.
Qi Yu: “…”
Shi Xu tapped the table. “He’s my friend. Be nice.”
Gu Sui smiled, pushing the other food container towards Qi Yu. “My wife… made this… for you. Friend, eat… a lot!”
Qi Yu: “…”
He hadn’t misheard. Gu Sui emphasized “my wife” and “friend,” clearly establishing their roles.
He wanted to tell Gu Sui that he had no designs on his “wife,” that his hostility was unnecessary.
But seeing the contents of his lunchbox, he changed his mind.
His portion was the same as Shi Xu’s, but smaller, both in quantity and the size of the individual items.
Gu Sui had given Shi Xu the largest shrimp, the largest pieces of meat, leaving him with the leftovers. But even the leftovers looked delicious. If he hadn’t seen Shi Xu’s portion, he would have considered this a feast.
This guy was hostile even before meeting him.
Anything he did, any proximity to Shi Xu, would be perceived as a threat.
He picked up a miniature fried shrimp, barely the size of his pinky finger, and ate it.
It was good!
For the sake of the delicious food, he would tolerate this petty jealousy.
…
After lunch, despite Shi Xu’s attempts to dismiss him, Gu Sui refused to leave.
