Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 598: Flashback (7)

With a rough and forceful movement, Zhong Yun tossed that man out and slammed the door shut with enough force to shake the walls. The man’s pained growls and curses sounded from the other side for a few seconds, followed by the echo of his retreating footsteps.

And then, it was silent.

Thick and heavy silence hung in the air, accentuated only by the faint sound of Qin Zhen’s uneven breathing. He stared blankly at the door, his pupils shaking. Cold dread settled on the pit of his stomach, and he felt even more horrible than when he had to confront his past fling earlier. It was to the point where he started to break out into sweats, despite the intense chill that permeated deep into his bones.

His throat ran dry, and his mouth seemed to have been sealed shut with glue. He couldn’t bring himself to raise his gaze, let alone speak. He dared not to.

It was because the person before him was not a nobody, but Zhong Yun.

Zhong Yun, who did not have the slightest idea of his wild and messy private life. Zhong Yun, who always regarded him with awe and admiration as if he was someone worth looking up to. Zhong Yun, who always managed to make him laugh and feel better with his silly banter and jokes.

Zhong Yun, whom he had always tried, whether unconsciously or not, to show his best sides to.

But now, everything was ruined. Zhong Yun was going to find out what a mess he was, and how he was not as good and respectable as the young man thought he was.

Why, of all days, why must it be today? Why did it have to happen on such a beautiful night, when they had been enjoying each other’s company? Qin Zhen couldn’t help but lament bitterly in his heart. Alas, he should have known that no secrets could be kept forever.

"Fuck..."

He bodily flinched when Zhong Yun gave a low curse, then a heavy sigh as he ran his hair through his hair in a show of frustration. This is it, Qin Zhen thought, his shoulders shrinking into himself. He clenched his fists tight and fought not to show the insecurity and vulnerability on his face. It’s okay, everything was going to be fine. He only needed to apologize, send Zhong Yun out of the door, keep a cool head even if Zhong Yun were to scorn him, and from then on, they would never again—

"Until when are you going to keep this up, Ge? Don’t you know how to cherish yourself more?!"

What?

Qin Zhen snapped his eyes open, not even realizing when he’d had them closed. He whipped his head up so fast that his neck issued a crack, but he couldn’t care less about the possible strain now for all of his attention was seized by the look on Zhong Yun’s face. The young man looked frustrated for sure, but there was none of the contempt and disdain he’d expected – at all.

"You..." Qin Zhen’s lips parted, yet aside from that one word he could not utter anything more. He was utterly caught by surprise, not only by Zhong Yun’s reaction but also his words. Especially his words. What did he mean by that? Why would he say—

A loud gasp escaped his lips when he was forcibly shoved against the wall, and in the next instant, a hot and demanding pair of lips claimed his own in a kiss so bruising that he seemed to taste blood. Qin Zhen froze with his eyes wide open, his entire body rooted in place. He could only stare dazedly at Zhong Yun’s scrunched brows and wildly fluttering lashes, his mind crashing down from the unexpected turn of events.

W–What was going on? He— Zhong Yun was— what was he—

The kiss ended as abruptly as it descended. Zhong Yun pulled away from him not unlike how one ripped off a band-aid, his breathing rough and pupils wild. He looked almost... unhinged, like a man high on drugs, riding on the rush of adrenaline in his system.

Qin Zhen had never seen him like this before – so rough, so forceful and desperate. As far as he could remember, Zhong Yun had always been a bit silly, goofy and endearing. Like a perfect and obedient little brother everyone wished to have.

And Qin Zhen did. He did consider Zhong Yun as a little brother, or else he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to extend an invitation for them to spend the New Year’s Eve together.

He wanted to look out for the man, take care of him and be a proper adult he would respect. He’d thought that they shared the same sentiment, but why— why would—

Qin Zhen snapped out of his stupor when Zhong Yun angled his head and leaned closer again for another kiss. In quick reflexes, he blocked Zhong Yun’s mouth with his palm and desperately tried not to think of how that soft mouth had moved over his just moments ago. He ignored the tingling on his own lips too, as he glared up at the man.

"W–What do you think you’re doing?!" He hissed sharply, his tone coming off more as fluster and bewilderment than anger.

Zhong Yun grasped his wrist and gently yet firmly pulled his hand down, his smoldering gaze remained fixated on him. Qin Zhen tried to struggle out of his grip to no avail. He was trapped between the wall and Zhong Yun’s body and— oh God, why hadn’t he realized how broad and powerful Zhong Yun was until now? How easy it was for Zhong Yun to overpower him? He chalked up the quickening rhythm of his heartbeat to the shock and confusion, because he could think of no other reason.

In response to his struggles, Zhong Yun’s eyes only wavered for a split second before they hardened into steel as though the young man had finally made up his mind after a long and hard contemplation.

"Do you really not understand," he inhaled deeply, "or do you not want to, Qin Zhen?"

Qin Zhen’s heart skipped a beat, for this was the first time he’d ever heard Zhong Yun utter his full name. Alas, he had not even regained his bearings when Zhong Yun continued, "I’m done. I’m done with staying in the dark and pretending to have enough when I yearn for more. I’m done watching you waste your time for those bastards who couldn’t even learn to appreciate you for what you’re worth. I’m so sick of it..." his voice petered off into a soft whisper, and an almost pained look crossed his eyes.

Too stunned by the sight and the shocking revelation, Qin Zhen remained frozen until the man extended a hand to cup his cheek and brush the reddened corner of his eye with a thumb. It was such a gentle, careful and intimate gesture that Qin Zhen felt a painful tug on his heartstrings, his breath hitching on his throat. No one had ever treated him like this – like he was something small and fragile. Like... he was worth it.

No one. Until now.

"Can’t it be me?" Zhong Yun whispered in pain, his voice oh so quiet and vulnerable as he finally bared his naked heart to the other.

Qin Zhen stared at Zhong Yun as though it was the first time he was seeing him, and perhaps there was some truth to it. This might be the first time he was seeing the real Zhong Yun, and not the persona he was trying to maintain all this while.

Qin Zhen’s mind was still struggling to process the situation before him. It was all too much for him to take.

But more than that, being stared at by those heated and smoldering eyes was even more unbearable. It made Qin Zhen’s skin prickle, and a feeling akin to shame coursed through his veins. Hot and scalding. Zhong Yun’s gaze seemed capable of tearing off his façade and piercing into the deepest recess of his soul, even the part he did not want anyone to see. It felt almost suffocating – to be seen, known and acknowledged.

He did not even realize he was crying until Zhong Yun caught the lone tear that slid down his cheek.

"When..." He questioned, his voice shaky. "Since when did you know?"

.

..

A/N: Happy first anniversary for CBCD, everyone!! Well, technically it’s supposed to be yesterday, I’m so sorry that I failed to update the story QAQ but more importantly, I have a free desktop wallpaper for all my readers! For more info on how to obtain it, please join my discord server ^^