S.C.I. Mystery Vol. 1, Ch. 37

Killer Training Camp 09: Exploitation

Bai Yutang didn’t know how many times he had come to the special meeting room of the prison, but he felt very depressed every time he came. If it was just an ordinary prisoner, such as a robber or an arsonist, he could handle it well. However, there was not much he could do about these "special" prisoners.

Just like Yang Feng before him now. When he had seen him last night, he was a criminal who was committing murder, but today he had become a victim instead.

Yang Feng sat there with no expression on his face, indifferent as though he was an unrelated party.

Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao next to him and blinked at him, which meant, "I'm not good at this, you try."

Zhan Zhao nodded and looked at Yang Feng. "Do you remember me?"

Yang Feng remained silent for ten seconds, then he slowly raised his head, glanced at Zhan Zhao, and nodded.

"Would you answer a few questions for me?" Zhan Zhao asked.

Yang Feng nodded as usual, looking very cooperative.

"So..." Zhan Zhao looked at the information in his hand and wondered where to start. Yang Feng's cooperation was a bit unexpected.

"I'm a lunatic." Before being asked anything, Yang Feng said it himself, "Everyone says that..."

Zhan Zhao glanced at Bai Yutang and closed the file in his hand.

"Tell us about yourself." Zhan Zhao said softly.

"Oh~~" Yang Feng smiled bitterly, and spoke, telling his story...

It was a very popular version of tragedy. After being born in an unfortunate family, the father abandoned the mother and son. The mother, under pressure, had to rely on low-quality work to earn a meager living cost. She became addicted to drugs.

Drug addiction made her life even worse. Illness, poverty, irritability, prejudice... Only bad luck had accompanied Yang Feng through the entirety of his growth, so he became sensitive, felt inferior, and distrusted love.

From an early age, Yang Feng knew he was abnormal. He hated women like crazy, especially those who were related to drug addiction and prostitution. He began to dream. In the dreams, he slashed the dirty women, let their blood flow into the river, and burned them to ashes to purify their fallen souls.

So, he had committed his first crime. That time, he had only sliced a white powder girl, but he got great pleasure from it. After returning home, he didn't have insomnia as before, but instead slept a good night's sleep. Then he started to commit crimes like a demon until he was arrested the day before.

Yang Feng’s narration of the first two decades of his own life was as apathetic and indifferent as if he were talking about other people's affairs.

After Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao heard the story, they felt rather depressed. If Yang Feng had never committed a crime, he would have definitely been a person worthy of sympathy. But he had taken so many lives, and with such cruel methods… Dammit, was it him or the organization behind him that was responsible?

"This." Zhan Zhao put the lighter with the words "Killer Training Camp" on it in front of Yang Feng. "Can you explain it?"

Yang Feng stared at the lighter for a while and looked up at Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang. "I don't know anything about that."

"What?" Bai Yutang frowned.

Yang Feng laughed. "I really don't know."

Zhan Zhao looked at Yang Feng's eyes. "Where did you get the information on those victims?"

"Someone sent it to me."

"Who?"

Yang Feng shook his head and said with some firmness, "No need to ask. I have already said everything I wished to, and I don't want to say anything else."

"You don’t want to say?" Bai Yutang looked at him with amusement. "Did you know that training camp was just using your illness to help them kill people?!"

Yang Feng asked, "Have you not ever killed anyone?"

Bai Yutang froze.

Yang Feng stared at his eyes and said, "People like you can control your destiny. You can protect yourself and the people around you. You will not understand the life of scum like me."

Bai Yutang looked at Yang Feng in shock and didn't know how to deal with him. The child's life was a pure tragedy, and the problem was that he didn't know how to refute it.

"Can he understand you then?" Zhan Zhao asked suddenly.

"Of course, they can!" Yang Feng sneered, "They give me strength and give me peace! They give me the courage to live and make me feel like a valuable person."

Zhan Zhao quietly listened to him and asked, "I said 'he', why did you say 'they'?"

"..." Yang Feng was suddenly shocked and flustered, and he immediately lowered his head and said resentfully, "I hate people like you! You are also annoying!"

Bai Yutang furrowed his brow and went to stand up, but Zhan Zhao pulled him back and asked Yang Feng, "Why do you hate me? Because I can see your true side?"

Yang Feng nodded and fell into silence again.

At that moment, Zhan Zhao had actually seen an opening through Yang Feng's psychological defense. He had even thought of several ways to get him to talk, but... Somehow, he suddenly felt very tired. Yang Feng didn't know, but looking into others and watching their hearts was just as painful as being watched.

Bai Yutang reached down and pressed the electric bell on the table. The shrill sound could even wake those in deep thought.

Two prison guards came in.

"Take him back," Bai Yutang said, "We are done for today."

Yang Feng was quickly taken away, and Zhan Zhao apologized.

Bai Yutang smiled, stretched out his hands, and massaged Zhan Zhao's head. "It doesn’t matter, Kitty. Let's take it slowly. You are tired, so let’s stop here today."

Afterwards, Bai Yutang stood up with ease and said to Zhan Zhao, "Do you want to walk? Let's go back."

"What about your car?" Zhan Zhao asked.

"We can come again tomorrow and get it." Bai Yutang put on his coat, "So, do you want to walk?"

"En." Zhan Zhao nodded, and the two went out side by side.

Zhan Zhao, who had lowered his head to walk, did not notice that Bai Yutang's eyes were following him closely. There was a flash of light in them, seemingly of determination.



After a lengthy board meeting, Bai Jintang rubbed his aching brow and walked out of the Bai Group’s building.

Sitting in the car and holding the steering wheel, Bai Jintang considered, "I should think of a way to narrow the distance with Gongsun. He currently feels like I am a sexually-harassing pervert, and I should let him see my more tasteful side...... hmm~~ "

He thought about it as he drove, and after making a turn, his eyes brightened.

He saw Gongsun standing by the driveway downstairs from the apartment, seemingly waiting.

Bai Jintang admired him from a distance, feeling like he was analyzing a piece of art... Gongsun seemed to have just returned from the S.C.I. He wasn’t wearing his white coat and was just casually wearing a black v-neck sweater and black pants, standing elegantly by the side of the road. His fair complexion, slender limbs, delicate joints, parted black hair... even his frameless glasses were indescribably sexy~~

Bai Jintang drove the car forward gracefully and wanted to say. "Beauty, do you need a ride..."

However, before he had finished daydreaming, a white car cut in front of him and stopped in front of Gongsun.

Gongsun seemed to have been waiting for this car. He smiled, said something to the person in the car, and then got into it.

Although he was far away, Bai Jintang could clearly see that the person sitting in the car was the agent named Fang Jing who had talked with Gongsun at the banquet that day.

After Gongsun got in the car, Fang Jing started the engine. Bai Jintang instinctively started following them before he could even react.

The car stopped in front of a French restaurant not far away. The two got out of the car and walked into the restaurant joyously.

Bai Jintang parked his car by the side of the road, took out a pack of cigarettes with no expression, and lit one. He sat quietly in the car, staring at the restaurant.

Gongsun and Fang Jing sat down in a seat by the window, smiling, talking, ordering, eating...

Bai Jintang just smoked cigarette after cigarette without any expression. The face reflected in the rearview mirror... was indescribably cold and cruel.

Gongsun, eating in the restaurant, did not know that Bai Jintang was outside. He had gotten a call from Fang Jing when he got off work. Because she was an old classmate whom he hadn't seen for many years, they had exchanged phone numbers after the last chance encounter. He didn't expect Fang Jing to actually ask him out to eat.

"You seem surprised." Fang Jing drank red wine and smiled at Gongsun.

Gongsun nodded honestly.

Fang Jing laughed, "You haven't changed at all."

Gongsun shrugged. He didn’t know whether or not he had changed, but the girl in front of him had turned upside down! He remembered Fang Jing as a quiet, timid girl who studied hard and dressed conservatively... but now she was fashionable and elegant and had a successful career.

"After that, I never had the opportunity to say thank you." Fang Jing put down her glass.

"Uh... it's been a long time, don't take it to heart." Gongsun smiled lightly. Now, it was easier to talk about it, but at the time, it had been a taboo for this young female student~~ Yes, Fang Jing had used to take drugs.

Gongsun had never understood why such a good female student who was good at learning had a drug addiction.

At school, Gongsun often pretended to be sick because he was too lazy to take a physical education class. He would take a book to the infirmary or the rooftop to stay for the afternoon. Thus, he had encountered Fang Jing on the rooftop when she wanted to commit suicide.

While he was saving Fang Jing, Gongsun had noticed the needle marks in her forearm.

What was more unfortunate was that the movement of the two on the rooftop had alerted several teachers in the office on the top floor. In a rush, Fang Jing grabbed Gongsun and told the teacher that they were a couple. Gongsun listened to her wish, and he did not deny it.

However, the topic of Gongsun, a school idol, falling in love caused a great stir. Even more strangely, the object of his affections was a girl who couldn’t possibly be more ordinary.

In order to help Fang Jing, Gongsun did not explain the matter. He would spend a certain amount of time with Fang Jing every day, although he only read books or went to study by himself.

Six months later, Fang Jing changed schools, and since then, there had been no connection between the two.

"How are you...?" Gongsun ate a bit awkwardly, and had nothing to say.

Fang Jing looked at him and said with a smile, "I've given it up."

"...! ..." The surprise and relief on Gongsun's face led Fang Jing to giggle.

"Do you know why I transferred?"

"... for detoxification?" Gongsun asked seriously.

"Haha~~" Fang Jing shook her head helplessly and said, "Because I couldn’t fit in anymore in that school!"

"How could that be?" Gongsun was puzzled. Had she run into any trouble?

Fang Jing stared at Gongsun helplessly. "You are so slow. Did you know that I could receive at least ten threatening letters every day, threatening me to not be with you?!"

Gongsun stared at her with wide eyes.

Fang Jing laughed again, "No way, who made me the ugly duckling that dominated the school grass?"

Seeing the smile in Fang Jing's eyes, Gongsun also laughed awkwardly.

The whole meal was harmonious, and the laughter continued.

About an hour later, after the meal was over but before they left the restaurant, Fang Jing suddenly asked, "Oh yes, what happened to that case?"

Gongsun was a little hesitant before he remembered that Fang Jing had good reason to be asking about the shooting at banquet, "I’m not entirely sure. I generally don't participate in the investigation."

"I'll take you home." Fang Jing said.

"No, I want to walk." Gongsun replied. He didn't know why, but there was a faint feeling of discomfort in his heart... Perhaps, the true purpose of Fang Jing asking him to come out was to ask that sentence earlier... Were all of the previous jokes just a performance? How much had Fang Jing changed?

Looking at the changes in Gongsun's expression, Fang Jing smiled bitterly. "You really haven't changed at all ... but that is also what makes you attractive."

The two said goodbye at the door. Fang Jing drove away, and Gongsun walked back leisurely.

"Dudu~~" Before he took a few steps, a few rapid horns sounded from behind him.

Looking back, he saw a familiar black Mercedes-Benz slowly pulling up to his side. Bai Jintang leaned over and opened the door. "Get in."

Gongsun was surprised. Hadn’t Bai Jintang said that there was a meeting with the board of directors today? How come he was here.

Moreover, when Bai Jintang usually saw him, he either flew over or made a few jokes. But today he was somewhat—serious...

However, the laziest Gongsun, who always chose to lay down or sit instead of stand, of course choose to ride in the car rather than walk away.

Sitting in the car, he coughed from the smoky smell.

"Ahem..." Why was there so much smoke? He had never seen Bai Jintang smoke. Gongsun waved his hand to drive it away and raised his arm to lower the window. However, after pressing the button a few times, there was no response.

"Is the window broken?" Gongsun asked as he pressed. When he didn’t hear an answer, he looked back at Bai Jintang curiously.

At that moment, Bai Jintang was driving intently. Although he was expressionless, Gongsun felt that he was a little strange. Today's Bai Jintang was a bit scary.

"... What's wrong with you?" Gongsun couldn't help asking after a while.

Bai Jintang still didn't answer, but the car was driving fast, and it was not going home.

"You... where are you going?" Gongsun was slightly anxious. Bai Jintang was very different today.

Ignoring Gongsun, he focused on driving.

"Stop!" Gongsun said with agitation, "I want to get off!"

Bai Jintang still ignored him.

Gongsun raised his hand to open the door, but it was locked.

"Bai... Bai Jintang, what are you going to do?" Gongsun asked him in bewilderment.

The car came to a screeching halt, and Gongsun was shaken. Fortunately, he had fastened his seat belt, but the forward momentum still made him dizzy and his shoulder hurt where the belt had dug in.

"What's wrong with you...?" Gongsun was extremely angry and wanted to curse, but was frightened by Bai Jintang's expression...

The Bai Jintang in front of him is not the kinky and shameless pervert he knew, but... He was so terrifying.

"You..." Gongsun reached out in panic to hold Bai Jintang back as he leaned over, "What's wrong with you?"

The hostility on Bai Jintang's face gradually faded away, leaving only coldness and calmness.

"Gongsun." He started slowly, reaching out and grabbing Gongsun's chin. He stared at him, "See? This is the real me!"

"Why... what do you mean?" Gongsun leaned back, but Bai Jintang approached again.

"I will kill everyone, man or woman, who wants to touch you."

"You……"

"I like you." Bai Jintang approached, and said to the frightened witless Gongsun, "So I want you! Now!"



As night fell, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang peacefully strolled under a sycamore tree full of lanterns.

On the left was a calm lake with cruise ships on it, lights flashing.

On the right was a rushing highway, and the taillights were intertwining into a gorgeous network of lights.

Zhan Zhao walked ahead with Bai Yutang followed quietly slightly behind.

Surprised by Bai Yutang's silence, Zhan Zhao looked at the people around him with his peripheral vision while walking, but he kept his head down and seemed to be thinking about something.

"Kitty."

Curious, Bai Yutang cried out.

Zhan Zhao turned around and looked at him.

Between the light and shadow, the pair seemed to be an independent existence from the bustle and excitement around them... A clear anomaly.

Bai Yutang took a step forward and stood in front of Zhan Zhao.

"Kitty..." Bai Yutang took a breath and said seriously, "Let's... change it, shall we?"

For a moment, Zhan Zhao was dumbfounded and a little uneasy. "Change... Change what?"

"Oh..." Bai Yutang smiled calmly, "Our state... relationship..."

Zhan Zhao's face turned slightly red. "What?"

"It's always been..." Bai Yutang tried to remain calm, "Very... very ambiguous."

Zhan Zhao looked up at him silently.

"That..." Bai Yutang scratched his head. "I think... make it clear."

"... En..." After a long while, Zhan Zhao murmured softly.

"You... you agree?" Bai Yutang was a little surprised.

"……En……"

Bai Yutang laughed, gently tilting Zhan Zhao's chin. "Kitty, ‘en’ what?”

Zhan Zhao looked up at him, looking him straight in the eye, and he waited quietly.

"I..." Bai Yutang was quite uncomfortable, "I like you."

………………

Zhan Zhao was silent for a while, until Bai Yutang felt like his hair had turned white. Then, he saw Zhan Zhao nod gently. "En."

Seeing Zhan Zhao's response, Bai Yutang froze. "Huh?"

"……En."

"En?"

"En!"

The corner of Bai Yutang's mouth tilted into a grin, and then the smile spread from the corner of his mouth to his eyes. Reaching out for Zhan Zhao, he bowed his head...

"Kitty..." He kissed him softly, "I like you."

Zhan Zhao raised his head and responded in a manner that hinted delicately of his inexperience, which made Bai Yutang pleasantly surprised, "I want you… now..."

He heard Zhan Zhao whisper, "Dammed Mouse, given and inch, you want a mile!!!!"



Everyone in the world could breathe fresh air and bathe in the sun. However, the soul has a different destination. Some are surrounded by love, and some are entangled with hate. If you have forgiveness in your heart, you will lie on a pure cloud; if you have resentment in your heart, you will sink into a black quagmire.

The computer's display clearly showed the arrival of an email.

"Why are you the only one who can’t be happy? Why are you alone?"

Tears, slipping down the smiling face, drew twisted lines to the pills in the hand…



That boiling pours itself down to a foss

Sluic'd from its source. Far murkier was the wave

Than sablest grain: and we in company

Of the inky waters, journeying by their side,

Enter'd, though by a different track, beneath.

Into a lake, the Stygian nam'd, expands

The dismal stream, when it hath reach'd the foot

Of the grey wither'd cliffs. Intent I stood

To gaze, and in the marish sunk descried

A miry tribe, all naked, and with looks

Betok'ning rage. They with their hands alone

Struck not, but with the head, the breast, the feet,

Cutting each other piecemeal with their fangs.

———————— “Divine Comedy” --Fifth floor of Hell

T/L note:   ＼（＾○＾）人（＾○＾）／

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