S.C.I. (Volume I) - Case 2: Chapter 9

The Killer Training Camp 09: Exploitation 

Bai Yutang had lost count of how many times he had visited this special interview room in the prison, and every time he came, he felt deeply frustrated. If it were just an ordinary criminal—whether they were a burglar, a robber, or a murderer—he could handle them well. But with these "special" types of prisoners, he truly found himself at a loss.

Take Yang Feng, who sat before him now. Last night, when they met, he was a criminal caught in the act; yet today, he had become a patient caught in a crime.

Yang Feng just sat there, his face devoid of expression, as indifferent as if he were a person of no consequence.

Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao beside him and winked, signaling that this was outside his expertise—he’d have to take the lead.

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

Yang Feng remained silent for ten seconds before slowly raising his head to look at Zhan Zhao, then nodding.

"Are you willing to answer a few questions?" Zhan Zhao asked.

Yang Feng nodded again, his demeanor incredibly cooperative.

"Then..." Zhan Zhao flipped through the documents in his hand, trying to decide where to begin. Yang Feng's cooperation was somewhat unexpected.

"I'm a lunatic," Yang Feng began before Zhan Zhao could even ask. "That's what everyone says..."

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang exchanged a glance and closed their files.

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

"Heh..." Yang Feng let out a bitter laugh and began to tell his story...

It was a very common version of a tragedy. Born into an unfortunate family, his father abandoned him and his mother when he was young. His mother, burdened by the pressures of life, had to take on menial jobs to earn a meager living. Before long, she became addicted to drugs.

The addiction made her life even worse. Disease, poverty, irritability, prejudice... all sorts of misfortunes came one after another. This accompanied Yang Feng throughout his entire upbringing, making him sensitive, insecure, and unable to believe in love.

From very early on, Yang Feng knew he wasn't "normal." He hated women with a crazy intensity, especially those who were drug addicts or prostitutes. He began to dream—dreams where he slashed and hacked at those "filthy" women to his heart's content, letting their blood flow into rivers, setting fires to burn them into ashes to cleanse their fallen souls.

Thus, he committed his first crime. That time, he only slashed a prostitute, yet he felt immense pleasure. Upon returning home, he didn't suffer from the insomnia he usually did; instead, he slept soundly. After that, he became obsessed, committing crimes incessantly until he was caught yesterday.

Listening to Yang Feng calmly narrate the first twenty years of his life, indifferent as if he were speaking of someone else, he was so pathetically frank that Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao felt an extreme sense of oppression. If Yang Feng had never committed a crime, he would undoubtedly be a person worthy of sympathy. But with so many lives lost and such brutal methods... was it him who was detestable, or the organization manipulating him from behind the scenes?

"This." Zhan Zhao placed the lighter engraved with the words Killertrainingcamp in front of Yang Feng. "Can you explain this?"

Yang Feng stared at the lighter in silence for a while before looking up at Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang. "I don't know."

"What?" Bai Yutang frowned.

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

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

"Someone mailed it to me."

"Who was it?"

Yang Feng shook his head, saying with some firmness, "You don't need to ask. Everything I wanted to say is already what I told you above. I have nothing else to say."

"Nothing to say?" Bai Yutang looked at him with a touch of amusement. "Don't you realize this so-called training camp is just exploiting your illness to help them kill people?"

Yang Feng countered, "Haven't you ever killed anyone?"

Bai Yutang was stunned.

Yang Feng stared into his eyes. "People like you can control your fate, can protect yourselves and those around you. You will never understand the life of scum like me."

Bai Yutang looked at Yang Feng with a sense of shock, not knowing how to respond. This child’s life was a pure tragedy, but the problem was that he didn't know how to refute him.

"Then can he understand you?" Zhan Zhao suddenly asked.

"They certainly can!" Yang Feng sneered. "They give me strength, give me peace! They give me the courage to live and make me feel like I am a person of value."

Zhan Zhao listened quietly until he finished, then asked, "I said 'he'—why did you say 'they'?"

"..." Yang Feng was stunned for a moment, appearing flustered. He immediately lowered his head and said hatefully, "I hate people like you the most!" He pointed at Bai Yutang as he said to Zhan Zhao, "You are even more annoying than him!"

Bai Yutang frowned and just as he was about to stand up, Zhan Zhao pulled him back, asking Yang Feng, "Why do you hate me? Because I can see the side of you that is most real?"

Yang Feng nodded and fell silent once more.

At that moment, Zhan Zhao had actually seen the door to opening Yang Feng's psychological defenses; he even thought of several ways to coax information out of him. But... for some reason, he suddenly felt very tired. Actually, Yang Feng didn't realize that being peered into was just as painful as peering into others.

Bai Yutang reached out and pressed the buzzer on the table. The harsh, jarring sound snapped Zhan Zhao out of his deep thoughts.

Two prison guards walked in.

"Take him down," Bai Yutang said. "That’s it for today."

Yang Feng was quickly escorted away, and Zhan Zhao looked apologetic.

Bai Yutang smiled and reached out to ruffle Zhan Zhao's hair. "It's alright, Cat. We'll take our time. You're tired—that's enough for today."

Then, Bai Yutang stood up with a relaxed expression and said to Zhan Zhao, "I feel like walking. Let's walk back."

"What about your car?" Zhan Zhao asked.

"I'll come get it tomorrow." Bai Yutang put on his coat. "Do you want to walk?"

"Mm." Zhan Zhao nodded, and the two walked out side-by-side.

Zhan Zhao, walking with his head down in thought, didn't notice that Bai Yutang's gaze was fixed firmly upon him. There was a glimmer in his eyes, as if he had made a certain resolve.

After finishing a long, tedious board meeting, Bai Jintang rubbed his slightly sore temples and walked out of the Bai Corporation building.

Sitting in the car and gripping the steering wheel, Bai Jintang pondered: I should find a way to close the distance with Gongsun. He currently thinks of me as some perverted sexual harasser. I should let Gongsun see a more sophisticated side of me... Hmm.

As he drove while thinking, he turned a corner, and his eyes lit up.

He saw Gongsun standing by the driveway under his apartment building, seemingly waiting for something.

Bai Jintang admired the view from afar, feeling as though he were reading a work of art... Gongsun seemed to have just returned from the S.C.I. Without his white lab coat, he wore only a casual black V-neck sweater and black trousers, standing elegantly by the roadside. His fair skin, his slender limbs, his delicate joints, his dark, messy hair... even those rimless glasses were indescribably sexy.

Bai Jintang happily drove the car forward, intending to say, "Beauty, care for a ride?"

However, before his daydream could finish, a white sedan cut in front and stopped in front of Gongsun.

Gongsun seemed to be waiting for this very car. He said something with a smile to the person inside, then got in.

Although it was quite a distance away, Bai Jintang clearly saw that the person sitting in the car was that talent agent named Fang Jing, who had been conversing happily with Gongsun at the gala that night.

After Gongsun got in, Fang Jing started the car. Before Bai Jintang could even react, he had instinctively driven after them.

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

Bai Jintang parked his car by the side of the road, expressionless. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and sat quietly in the car, watching the restaurant.

Gongsun and Fang Jing sat at a table by the window—smiling, talking, ordering, eating...

Bai Jintang just smoked one cigarette after another, completely devoid of expression, save for the face reflected in the rearview mirror... which was indescribably cold and ruthless.

Gongsun, eating inside the restaurant, was completely unaware that Bai Jintang was right outside. He had received Fang Jing's call after getting off work. Because they were old classmates who hadn't seen each other in years, they had exchanged numbers after their chance encounter last time, but he hadn't expected Fang Jing to actually ask him to dinner.

"You seem very surprised." Fang Jing sipped her red wine, smiling as she looked at Gongsun.

Gongsun nodded honestly.

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

Gongsun shrugged. He didn't know if he had changed or not, but the woman in front of him had undergone an earth-shattering transformation! He remembered that the Fang Jing in his impression was a quiet, introverted, almost timid girl, a hardworking student who dressed conservatively... but now, she was stylish, elegant, and successful in her career.

"Ever since that incident, I've never had the chance to say thank you." Fang Jing put down her wine glass.

"Uh... it's been a long time, don't take it to heart." Gongsun smiled easily. He could talk about it easily now, but at the time, for that young female student, it had truly been a bolt from the blue—yes, Fang Jing had once been a drug addict.

Gongsun had never understood why such a top student, talented in both character and learning, could have had a drug addiction.

When they were in school, because Gongsun was too lazy to attend P.E. class, he would often feign illness, taking a book to the infirmary or the rooftop to stay for the whole afternoon. That was how he met Fang Jing, who was trying to commit suicide, on the rooftop.

When saving Fang Jing, Gongsun noticed the intravenous injection mark on her forearm.

What was more unfortunate was that the commotion they made on the rooftop alerted several teachers in the top-floor office. In desperation, Fang Jing grabbed Gongsun and told the teachers they were a couple. Seeing Fang Jing's pleading eyes, Gongsun hadn't denied it.

However, as the campus heartthrob, the fact that Gongsun was dating caused quite a stir. What was even stranger was that the object of his affection was a girl as ordinary as could be.

To help Fang Jing, Gongsun never explained the matter. He would spend a certain amount of time with Fang Jing every day, even though it was just to read his own books or study on his own.

Six months later, Fang Jing transferred schools, and they had lost contact ever since.

"Are you... how are you?" Gongsun ate his meal awkwardly, making small talk.

Fang Jing looked at him and said with a smile, "I've kicked the habit."

"...!" The surprise and relief on Gongsun’s face made Fang Jing giggle.

"Do you know why I transferred schools?"

"For... to quit drugs?" Gongsun asked seriously.

"Hahaha—" Fang Jing shook her head helplessly. "Because I couldn't survive in that school anymore!"

"How come?" Gongsun was puzzled. Had she encountered some kind of trouble?

Fang Jing stared at Gongsun, powerless. "You really are incredibly dense. Do you have any idea how many threatening letters I received every day, telling me I wasn't allowed to be with you?"

Gongsun stared at her with wide eyes.

Fang Jing laughed again. "Can't help it, who asked me, an ugly duckling, to hog the campus hunk?"

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

The entire meal was filled with a harmonious atmosphere and constant laughter.

About an hour later, the meal ended. Before leaving the restaurant, Fang Jing suddenly asked, "By the way, how is that case going?"

Gongsun was slightly taken aback before remembering Fang Jing must be asking about the shooting at the gala. "I don't know much about it; I generally don't participate in investigations."

"I'll drive you back," Fang Jing said.

"No, thanks. I want to walk a bit." Gongsun replied. For some reason, there was a faint, hidden displeasure in his heart. It felt as if... Fang Jing's ultimate purpose for asking him out was just to ask that question... Were the laughing and talking before just a performance? Just how much had Fang Jing changed?

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

They said their goodbyes at the door, Fang Jing drove away, and Gongsun strolled leisurely back.

Beep-beep— He hadn't walked many steps when an urgent car horn sounded behind him.

Turning around, he saw a familiar black Mercedes pull slowly to his side. Bai Jintang leaned over and opened the car door. "Get in."

Gongsun was startled. Didn't he say he had a board meeting today? Why was he here?

Moreover, usually, when Bai Jintang saw him, he would either lunge at him or tease him a couple of times. Today, he seemed a bit—serious...

However, Gongsun, who was by nature the laziest person—preferring sitting over standing and lying down over sitting—naturally chose the ride over walking.

Sitting in the car, he was immediately choked by the pungent smell of cigarette smoke.

"Cough, cough..." "Why is there such a heavy smell of smoke? I've never seen you smoke." Gongsun waved his hand to clear the air and reached out to roll down the window, but after pressing it a few times, there was no response.

"Is the window broken?" Gongsun asked while pressing it. Getting no answer from Bai Jintang, he turned back to look at him with curiosity.

At this moment, Bai Jintang was driving with intense focus. Although he was expressionless, Gongsun still sensed something unusual. Today's Bai Jintang was a bit scary.

"...What's wrong with you?" After a moment of silence, Gongsun couldn't help but ask.

Bai Jintang still didn't answer. The car, however, was driving very fast and was not heading in the direction of home.

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

Ignoring Gongsun, he focused on his driving.

"Stop the car!" Gongsun said with some irritation. "I want to get out!"

Bai Jintang still ignored him.

Gongsun reached out to open the door, but it was locked.

"Bai... Bai Jintang, what are you doing?" Gongsun asked the person beside him, puzzled.

The car stopped abruptly. Gongsun was jerked violently. Fortunately, he was wearing a seatbelt, but the forward momentum still left him dizzy, and his shoulder was in pain from the belt.

"Are you... having a nervous breakdown?!" Gongsun was furious and wanted to curse, but he was frightened by Bai Jintang's expression...

The Bai Jintang before him was absolutely not the off-the-wall, shameless pervert he knew, but someone... so terrifying.

"You..." Gongsun reached out in a panic to brace against Bai Jintang, who was leaning over. "What's wrong?"

The戾气 (menacing aura) on Bai Jintang's face gradually receded, leaving behind only icy coldness and calm.

"I like you." Bai Jintang leaned close and said in a low voice.

Night fell. On Riverside Road, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were strolling comfortably under sycamore trees decked out in colorful lights.

To the left was the calm lake, with tour boats flickering with lights.

To the right was the busy highway, where the tail lights wove into a gorgeous web of light.

Zhan Zhao walked in front, while Bai Yutang lagged slightly behind, following quietly.

Surprised by Bai Yutang's silence, Zhan Zhao glanced at the person beside him from the corner of his eye as he walked. However, the man kept his head down, seemingly deep in thought.

"Cat."

Just as he was wondering, Bai Yutang called out.

Zhan Zhao turned around to look at the Bai Yutang following behind.

Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, the person before him seemed to be an existence independent of this bustling prosperity... exceptionally clear.

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

"Cat..." He took a breath and said earnestly, "Should we... make a change?"

Zhan Zhao was slightly stunned, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. "Make... a change to what?"

"Heh..." Bai Yutang forced a calm smile. "Our state... our relationship..."

Zhan Zhao's face flushed slightly. "What?"

"It's always been..." Bai Yutang tried hard to be calm, "very... very ambiguous."

Zhan Zhao raised his eyes to look at him, saying nothing.

"Well..." Bai Yutang scratched his head. "I want... to clarify it."

"..." After a long while, Zhan Zhao let out a soft "Mm."

"You... you agree?" Bai Yutang was pleasantly surprised.

"..."

Bai Yutang found it amusing and gently lifted Zhan Zhao's chin. "Cat, what are you 'mhm-ing' about?"

Zhan Zhao looked up at him, their gazes meeting, just waiting quietly.

"I..." Bai Yutang was a bit awkward. "I like you."

...

Zhan Zhao remained silent for a long time. Just as Bai Yutang felt his hair might turn white from waiting, he saw Zhan Zhao nod gently. "Mm."

Seeing Zhan Zhao's reaction, Bai Yutang was stunned. "Mm??"

"..."

"Mm?"

"Mm!"

Bai Yutang's mouth gradually stretched wide, the smile extending from the corners of his lips to his eyes. He reached out to pull Zhan Zhao in front of him and leaned down...

"Cat... I like you."

Everyone in this world can breathe fresh air and bathe in the light of the sun. However, souls have different destinations: some are enveloped in love, while others are entangled in hate. If one harbors a sense of forgiveness in their heart, they will lie upon pure clouds; if one harbors a sense of resentment in their heart, they will sink into a black mire.

On the computer screen, the arrival of an email was clearly displayed.

"Why are you the only one who cannot find happiness? Why are you the only one alone?"

Tears slid down a smiling face, outlining distorted lines. In hand, colorful pills...

This water is darker than ink, flowing in torrents. I see many souls in the marsh at the bottom of the water, covered in filth. They are naked and, in great fury, are beating and biting each other, leaving one another’s bodies broken and battered.

The angry can never be redeemed; they can only curse, scream, and roar in the endless abyss—roar, and roar...