Even though Xu Lan was embarrassed by it, he complied and let Bai Wu carry him back to the research institute. Bai Wu teased him ceaselessly and did not so much as looked away from him. Qin Lao was welcoming them by the door. When Bai Wu got closer, Qin Lao attacked him with his thick walking stick.

“Are you trying to suicide? You’re a fast runner aren’t you, disappearing in the blink of an eye! You too! Don’t you know what he’s going through? Why are you condoning his reckless actions?” Qin Lao scolded and gestured furiously.

Bai Wu did not fight back. He refused to let Xu Lan down. When Qin Lao was tired from hitting him, Bai Wu whimpered for his forgiveness. It was difficult to be mean to Bai Wu when he looked so pitiful.

“Qin Lao, please take a look at him,” Xu Lan said as he took out a handkerchief from Bai Wu’s pocket while shoving the one with the stench of cigarettes back into his pocket.

Once again, Bai Wu returned to the stark white laboratory. Different kinds of tubes were attached to his body and countless instruments surrounded him. The instruments displayed messages that Xu Lan could not understand. After everything, Bai Wu still ended up back in the laboratory.

Xu Lan squatted with his hands around his head. If only they did not escape and resist back then, things would have taken a different and happier turn. Bai Wu would have been able to avoid these sufferings.

“Xu Lan, don’t cry. I wanted all of these and I’m happy as long as I have you. I’m at my happiest when I’m by your side,” Bai Wu detected the hint of moisture in the air and consoled Xu Lan. He knew that Xu Lan did not want him to lie down in the laboratory and be experimented on like a lab rat.

Xu Lan’s guilt intensified after hearing Bai Wu’s words of consolation. He became even angrier at himself.

Bai Wu reached for Xu Lan’s hair and caressed him gently. When it came to Bai Wu, Xu Lan was always overly cautious. Bai Wu wished for Xu Lan to live freely and happily, especially when the outcome would turn out the same regardless of how Xu Lan dealt with it.

Bai Wu fell asleep. As Xu Lan could not understand the curly lines and cursive words on the instruments, he had no choice but to ask Qin Lao.

“How is it going?”

Qin Lao shook his head and did not reply. By forcing himself to wake up, Bai Wu caused damage to his body. It was not beneficial for him at all. The only benefit that came from his action was being able to see Xu Lan and it made Xu Lan feel better.

“Qin Lao, please keep the conversation we had a secret from Bai Wu,” Xu Lan requested earnestly.

“… If he knew about it, he definitely would not let you do it. However, I’m not confident that the experiment will be successful,” Qin Lao replied helplessly.

“All the more reason why I can’t let him know! This is the last thing that I can do for him.” Xu Lan made up his mind. His voice was icy and devoid of warmth.

“I still have to make a trip to the police station. As we’re dealing with an extremely sly suspect, we will have to study the feasibility of the plan,” Xu Lan said.

“Okay, please stay safe,” Qin Lao reminded Xu Lan endearingly.

“Will do.”

It was not the height of the summer yet and the night was still cooling. In his short sleeve shirt, Xu Lan walked on the main street and found himself at the Sancha River. This was where he met Bai Wu, and…

“Have you started the preparations?” Ka Daiwen appeared as a cat. She wagged her tail as she made her way toward Xu Lan.

“Uh huh. I hope that this isn’t your plan to deceive me,” Xu Lan replied in a nasal tone.

“Of course, I want Bai Wu to survive too.” The black cat blended into the night, only her green eyes were visible.

It became colder once he got closer to the river. Xu Lan crossed the Sancha Bridge and headed toward the police station.