Fei Zuohua kept one hand on the steering wheel while lowering his head to fumble with his phone. Beside him, Lu Mingyue rested his head on his arm, tilting it to look at him. "Not a good idea, Officer. Distracted driving is dangerous."
Fei Zuohua spared him a glance but didn't respond. He returned his focus to the screen, muttering to himself, "How is there no signal the moment we hit the road..."
Just then, the car in front honked a few times. Fei Zuohua jerked his head up, jerking the steering wheel to pull the car back into its lane. Lu Mingyue watched him with a grin. "How about I drive, Officer? You seem busy."
Ignoring him, Fei Zuohua slowly pulled over to the side of the road. He checked his phone again; the signal bar remained stuck at one. He tried to send a text to Shi Yuanchen, but the loading circle beside the message spun endlessly, refusing to send. He clicked his tongue in frustration.
Seeing Lu Mingyue gloating beside him, Fei Zuohua barked, "Hey, let me see your phone."
Lu Mingyue replied, "Beg me."
Fei Zuohua’s face instantly darkened. Lu Mingyue quickly pulled it out and handed it over.
Fei Zuohua took one look; it was just as dead as his. He shoved the phone back at Lu Mingyue and stared out the window. Night had fallen, and the roadside was nothing but open wilderness. There wasn't a telephone pole in sight for miles, though a faint glow of lights shimmered in the distance. Fei Zuohua restarted the engine, hoping the signal would improve once they cleared this stretch of road.
Lu Mingyue leaned back comfortably against the seat. "Don't worry, Officer. You're perfectly safe."
Fei Zuohua let out a cold sneer. "You think I'm afraid of you?"
"Of course not. I know you aren't." Lu Mingyue closed his eyes and crossed his arms, looking ready for a nap. "But you are afraid of Bai Shi."
Fei Zuohua’s expression turned icy. He turned to look at Lu Mingyue, but the man had already closed his eyes and gone still. Fei Zuohua reached out and switched off the interior lights.
The car wasn't moving slowly, yet it still took over an hour to arrive. This place was further away than he had imagined.
Compared to the community where the town mayor lived, this place was far more primitive. There were no planned green spaces or professional security—just an ordinary residential area with many abandoned houses. Looking out, most of the windows in the buildings were dark.
Fei Zuohua parked and turned on the lights to confirm the address. This was the place.
As soon as the lights came on, Lu Mingyue woke up. He yawned and looked outside. Fei Zuohua stared at him. "Have you been here before?"
Lu Mingyue nodded honestly. "Many years ago."
"Doing what?"
"Hiding out for a few days." Lu Mingyue rolled down the window, gazing into the distance at a broken basketball hoop on a derelict court. The wind tossed his bangs. "Bai Shi and I hid here. Ding Chuan’s people would come to bring us food."
He leaned against the window frame. "We hid for a week. It’s so desolate here, like the end of the world, as if we were the only two people left."
"Why did you have to hide?"
"Can't say."
Fei Zuohua sneered. "I really should tell that line to a judge."
Lu Mingyue turned back to look at him. "You know I won't say a word to a judge."
Fei Zuohua stopped humoring him, opened the door, and got out. Lu Mingyue followed.
"I thought he was supposed to be sophisticated. He’s fine hiding in a slum building like this?" Fei Zuohua kicked at the trash on the ground, clearing a path.
Lu Mingyue followed with a grin. "No choice. Just trying to survive."
Fei Zuohua walked along the path, heading for Building 7. He passed row after row of pitch-black buildings. He glanced inside as he went; on the first floor of one building, through a shattered window, he could see a man holding a liquor bottle, cursing while flipping channels, and a woman wiping a table beside him.
Lu Mingyue caught up to his side. "Want me to lead the way?"
"You stayed in Building 7, 4th floor, West unit back then too?"
Lu Mingyue nodded. "Yeah. The sanctuary."
Fei Zuohua circled the area once more, eventually returning to the starting point. Lu Mingyue had followed him the whole way, still watching him with that smiling expression.
Fei Zuohua pursed his lips and finally looked at Lu Mingyue. Lu Mingyue spread his hands and laughed. "Isn't this why you brought me along? Can't I just cooperate voluntarily?"
Fei Zuohua hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Lead the way."
Lu Mingyue stepped past him and took the lead, explaining with great interest as he walked, "If it were that easy to find, it wouldn't be called a sanctuary, would it?"
Fei Zuohua didn't respond.
As they passed a building they had walked by earlier, Lu Mingyue turned into it. "This way."
Fei Zuohua followed him inside. They crossed a corridor on the first floor, entered a room at the far end, and exited through a back door. After navigating an extremely narrow gap between structures, they emerged into yet another cluster of buildings.
Like a gentleman finishing a magic trick, Lu Mingyue tipped an imaginary hat and bowed slightly to Fei Zuohua. "How’s that?"
"Which one is Building 7?"
Fei Zuohua pointed to the second building on the right and started to move forward. "Speaking of this place, there used to be a stray dog den here. Back then, I—"
Before he could take another step, someone grabbed him. He turned his head only to find a gun pointed directly at him.
Lu Mingyue blinked twice. "Really, Officer? Burning the bridge after crossing it?"
Fei Zuohua pulled a pair of handcuffs from behind his back and held them out. "Put them on. Cuff yourself to this." He kicked the nearby railing.
Lu Mingyue sighed. "Is this really necessary..."
"If Bai Shi’s people are up there, are you telling me you won't turn on me?"
Lu Mingyue took the handcuffs, a bitter smile on his face. "Strictly speaking, what I'm doing right now is 'turning' on them."
"Cuff yourself," Fei Zuohua repeated.
Lu Mingyue slowly locked his left hand, then snapped the other side to the railing. Fei Zuohua stared at him and said, "Tighter."
Lu Mingyue laughed. "Officer, you're being a bit of a bully."
Fei Zuohua glared at him. Lu Mingyue slowly tightened the cuffs and then rattled them. "Happy now?"
Fei Zuohua took a step back, holstered his gun, looked at Building 7, and then back at him. "If I come down alive, I'll take you with me."
Lu Mingyue raised an eyebrow. "And if you die?"
"Will Bai Shi kill you?"
Lu Mingyue didn't answer. Fei Zuohua gave a short, dry laugh. "See? You win either way."
With that, he walked past him toward Building 7.
Lu Mingyue watched his retreating back and shook his head. He adjusted the position of the handcuffs and slowly sat down, looking up at the moon.
The dilapidated building had no elevator and no hallway lights. Fei Zuohua thought about pulling out his phone to use the flashlight but couldn't find it. Fortunately, moonlight streamed through the hallway windows, lighting the path well enough. Combined with the stray flickers of light from the few occupied units, Fei Zuohua made his way upstairs.
He held his gun with a steady grip, moving quietly toward the fourth floor.
On the second floor, a door had just opened. A woman in the flesh trade was seeing off a man, flirting and slapping his backside at the doorway. Seeing Fei Zuohua moving slowly past the stairwell, they stopped and watched him. After a moment, they turned back to each other, continuing to exude a cheap stench of alcohol and low-grade perfume, touching and groping in a way that was filthy, damp, and cloying.
On the third floor, a boy burst out wearing a tattered tank top, shorts, and sneakers with peeling soles. He was clutching a plastic piggy bank as he ran, chased by a limping old man. The boy froze when he saw Fei Zuohua passing the stairwell. Before he could react, he was tackled by the old man, followed by a barrage of unintelligible curses and shouting.
Fei Zuohua remained unaffected and reached the fourth floor.
There was only one unit on the west side. No lights were on, and the door wasn't locked. The wooden door panel was cracked open slightly, creaking in the wind. Fei Zuohua approached, using the muzzle of his gun to push the door. He leaned in to listen, but after hearing nothing for a long time, he stepped back, kicked the door open, and flattened himself against the wall.
Still, there was no sound from within.
Fei Zuohua moved to the edge of the door and felt along the wall with one hand. He found a pull-string, gave it a tug, and the room suddenly brightened.
It was a tiny room, visible in its entirety at a single glance. A simple bed was laid out on the floor. There seemed to be another room further in, its door also open. There was no other furniture—not even a table. It perfectly matched Lu Mingyue’s description of a "temporary sanctuary."
Fei Zuohua walked in a few steps and saw a half-eaten bento on the floor. The bedsheets were a mess, and the quilt was crumpled into a haphazard ball. He looked back and noticed an iron door behind the wooden one. He tried to pull it, but it wouldn't budge; it was very heavy. Fei Zuohua continued inward; this room didn't even have a window.
After a moment's thought, he headed toward the other small room.
***
Lu Mingyue was leaning against the wall, boredly watching the moon, when he heard footsteps. They were light and steady; he didn't need to guess who it was.
He turned to look. Bai Shi had one hand in his pocket, the other arm swinging loosely as he walked at a leisurely pace. On the path where they had just kicked aside the trash, he looked as if he were taking a casual stroll. He was beautiful, elegant, and as composed as an angel. Lu Mingyue watched him approach—he always watched Bai Shi; just seeing him made his mood improve.
Bai Shi passed him, sparing him a single glance. "He went up?"
Lu Mingyue nodded. Bai Shi prepared to leave, but Lu Mingyue stood up quickly, raising his hand. "Help me open this."
"Open it yourself."
Lu Mingyue reached out with his free hand to grab Bai Shi, but Bai Shi shifted slightly to the side. His hand didn't even graze him. Bai Shi frowned at him, and Lu Mingyue apologized, "Sorry."
Bai Shi ignored him and prepared to head upstairs. Behind him, Lu Mingyue said, "You didn't actually have to come in person."
Bai Shi stopped and turned back, smiling faintly. "I came to see him off. It’s a way of fulfilling his wish."
Lu Mingyue gave a bitter smile as he watched Bai Shi go upstairs.
Fei Zuohua circled the room and finally realized that while someone had indeed lived here, it probably wasn't Bai Shi—and there had only been one person. If everything Lu Mingyue said was true, this "sanctuary" might not be exclusive to Bai Shi, but whoever lived here certainly had deep ties to him.
Fei Zuohua knelt to rummage through the clothes on the bed, trying to find some clue, when he suddenly smelled something burning. He looked up and saw the walls being illuminated by a bright red glow.
He turned his head suspiciously and saw the person standing at the door.
"Bai..." So much had happened, yet Fei Zuohua only saw Bai Shi. His heart felt like it was going to leap out of his throat; he could hear his own violent pulse, and the tension caused a ringing in his ears. His vision blurred, and he could only stare fixedly at Bai Shi’s face, his mouth hanging open, unable to say a word.
Bai Shi tilted his head slightly, looking down at him. There was a trace of a smile on his face, making him seem exceptionally distant and haughty.
Fei Zuohua was suddenly choked by smoke and began to cough. It was then that he finally noticed the flaming liquor bottles scattered on the floor. The red light was immediately followed by swirling smoke. Bai Shi stood at the door, looking down at Fei Zuohua. Then he spoke, his tone flat and calm—even bordering on gentle.
"Fei Zuohua."
The sound made Fei Zuohua shudder. He bolted upright, staring deathly at Bai Shi. Just as he was about to rush forward, Bai Shi grabbed the iron door and slammed it shut with immense force!
By the time Fei Zuohua lunged at it, he only heard the sound of the iron door locking.
There was a small window in the iron door at eye level that opened from the outside. Bai Shi pulled it open, looking at the furious Fei Zuohua from the other side. He mouthed the words, "Goodbye."
Fei Zuohua threw himself against the door, screaming Bai Shi’s name. He couldn't pull it open. There were no windows in the room, and the black smoke grew thicker. The fire reached the bed, accelerating the spread.
Bai Shi slid the small window shut. Fei Zuohua watched as Bai Shi’s indifferent eyes vanished.
***
Lu Mingyue leaned against the wall, watching Bai Shi walk down slowly. Not a speck of dust touched his clothes; he looked utterly detached, yet in a good mood. As he passed, he looked at Lu Mingyue’s handcuffs with interest. "Taking this long? You've regressed."
Lu Mingyue rattled his wrist again, a series of clicks sounding out. "Haven't opened them yet."
Bai Shi gave a small smile and, just as he had arrived, strolled away under the moonlight. He was leaving.
Lu Mingyue watched him go. Suddenly, Bai Shi stopped and turned back. "Want me to help you?"
Lu Mingyue’s heart suddenly ached. He said, "If you wouldn't mind."
Bai Shi walked back, removed a brooch from his clothes, and picked the lock in a few deft strokes. The handcuffs fell to the ground. Bai Shi put the brooch back in his pocket and, without a word, turned to leave.
Subconsciously, Lu Mingyue reached out and grabbed his arm. This time, Bai Shi didn't dodge. Before Bai Shi could turn and frown, Lu Mingyue leaned in and rested his forehead against Bai Shi’s shoulder. Behind Bai Shi’s back, he asked in a tiny voice, "Where are you going next?"
Bai Shi didn't answer. Lu Mingyue’s grip on his arm loosened slightly. He hesitated, but in the end, he didn't let go. He caught the faint scent on Bai Shi’s body, and for a moment, the present overlapped with his memory of a night sitting on the back of Bai Shi’s motorcycle. Even the angle of the wind felt the same. In the desolate outskirts, only they and the moon were hiding here, sharing the same unease. Back then, he had wanted to run. Now, Bai Shi was indeed running—under the canopy of heaven, in the evening breeze, through the wilderness—but not with him.
Lu Mingyue felt no reaction from Bai Shi. Growing bolder, he tried to tighten his grip on Bai Shi’s arm, only to hear Bai Shi click his tongue in annoyance.
As if suddenly waking up or being scalded by water, Lu Mingyue released him.
Bai Shi didn't even turn his head; he simply walked away.
Lu Mingyue gave a bitter smile, watching Bai Shi disappear into the distance.
Then, he turned and went upstairs.
When he opened the door, the flames curled out like dragon tongues. The heat was enough to melt a person. Lu Mingyue, who had soaked himself in water, rushed inside and dragged Fei Zuohua out.
Fei Zuohua’s clothes were mostly burned away. Lu Mingyue carried him in his arms and ran straight to the second floor. The woman in the flesh trade was waiting at her door. When she saw the man Lu Mingyue was carrying, her mouth dropped open. "It's him."
Lu Mingyue brought him into the bathroom, his expression grim. "Where are the things I told you to prepare?"
The woman quickly brought over some clothes and a bottle of smelling salts.
Lu Mingyue passed the salts under Fei Zuohua’s nose, performed chest compressions, and then gave him mouth-to-mouth. The woman watched nervously from behind.
Just as Lu Mingyue was drenched in sweat, the sound of sirens echoed nearby.
Hearing them, the woman started putting on her coat. "The police are here."
Lu Mingyue nodded. "You should go."
The woman grabbed her bag and left.
Lu Mingyue still didn't give up. After splashing water on him for what felt like the hundredth time, Fei Zuohua finally snapped his eyes open as if escaping from hell. He took a violent breath and began to cough uncontrollably.
Lu Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief. The police were getting closer; it was time for him to leave.
Fei Zuohua finally realized what was happening. He grabbed Lu Mingyue’s collar, his eyes bloodshot with a mix of fury and disappointment. He wanted to scream at Lu Mingyue, but when he opened his mouth, his voice was deathly hoarse. "You... you fucking lied to me!"
Lu Mingyue looked at him with a sorrowful gaze, his thoughts unreadable. He simply said, "I called the police. They're here. They'll help you."
Fei Zuohua gripped his collar with all his might. Lu Mingyue pried his hand away and smiled. "We won't be seeing each other again, Officer. Goodbye."
His strength was still greater than Fei Zuohua’s. Fei Zuohua was half-dead, naked and wet on the floor, coughing. Lu Mingyue knelt before him. Bai Shi wanted Fei Zuohua dead, but in the end, Lu Mingyue had turned coat.
Fei Zuohua’s coughing was heart-wrenching. His body was burning up, and he was on the verge of fainting. He used his last bit of strength to reach for Lu Mingyue’s clothes, but he couldn't hold on. His hand fell and hit the floor.
The sound of police footsteps was very close now. Lu Mingyue gently took Fei Zuohua’s hand and placed it by his side. He looked down at his face, leaned into his ear, and whispered, "Thank you for lending me your umbrella."
Then he stood up and walked out of Fei Zuohua’s sight.
Fei Zuohua kept staring at the door until the police arrived to save him. As more and more people gathered, he finally lost consciousness.
***
