HTCYH Ch 20

Chapter 20: Preparations for Entry

After returning to the guesthouse, Tu Si and Wuming found that Ailin and Xu Jinyan had yet to come back, while Fang Xia and Ke Xian were eating instant noodles.

Curious, Tu Si asked, “Where’s Sister Ailin?”

While slurping her noodles, Fang Xia replied, “She went with Xu Jinyan to watch a drag queen strip show. I wasn’t interested, so I didn’t go.”

Tu Si froze for a moment. “A strip show?”

Fang Xia nodded. “When people get curious, their tastes tend to get heavier. Sister Ailin loves to watch lively spectacles. The show doesn’t end until eleven at night, so don’t worry about them. Have you eaten yet?”

Tu Si shook his head, then looked at Ke Xian, who was sullenly eating with his head down, and asked, “Ke Bao* doesn’t look happy. What’s wrong?”

(*Ke Bao – a nickname meaning “Precious Ke.”)

Ke Xian let out a heavy snort and said nothing. Fang Xia chuckled. “It’s 18+ — he’s underage, so he couldn’t watch the show.”

Ke Xian ground his teeth. “As if I haven’t seen things like that! The stuff on the dark web is way more extreme than some strip show—vulgar!”

Fang Xia teased, “Oh, is that so? Then go argue with the ticket checker. See if they won’t haul your team leader in for ‘educational counseling’ as your guardian~”

While Tu Si, Fang Xia, and Ke Xian were chattering away, Wuming had already walked into the kitchen. Before long, he brought out two bowls of instant noodles and set one in front of Tu Si.

Tu Si thanked him and picked up his chopsticks, about to eat, when he noticed Ke Xian glaring at him angrily. Tu Si glanced at the noodles, then at Ke Xian, uncertain whether to push the bowl toward him and let him eat instead.

Just as he was about to move, Wuming pressed his head down and said, rubbing his hair, “Eat your own food. What? You’re giving away something I cooked? Offering flowers that aren’t yours?”

Tu Si looked at Wuming in confusion, and Wuming simply smiled at him. For a moment, Tu Si wasn’t sure what to think. He remembered Fang Xia mentioning that none of them had ever eaten food cooked by Wuming. He had assumed it was because Wuming was too lazy to cook for them, but now it seemed that Wuming simply wouldn’t allow them to eat his cooking.

But why?

As Tu Si inhaled the aroma rising from the bowl, he formed a bold hypothesis: Wuming’s scent emanated from his very flesh and blood. The flavor must be incredibly delicious, but perhaps it was harmful to humans! Wuming might be poisonous.

Moreover, after spending some time together, Tu Si noticed that among the original team, Ke Xian was the closest to Wuming—he could even enter Wuming’s quarters. Because of this, Ke Xian carried a faint trace of Wuming’s fragrance on him. Yet, despite this closeness, Ke Xian never had physical contact with Wuming. The cinnabar longevity lock* hanging around his neck had a small bell, and today’s bracelet that Wuming had gifted him also bore a bell of identical material. Wuming had claimed that the bracelet could purify and protect, which likely meant it was a protective charm he’d given Ke Xian. Meanwhile, the rest of the team, when walking side by side, always kept at least half a meter away from Wuming. Staff members at the Bureau either conversed with him across a counter or maintained a distance of two to three meters.

(*Longevity lock – a traditional Chinese amulet for protection and good fortune, often given to children.)

The more Tu Si thought about it, the more it made sense. No wonder the rumors about him and Wuming at the Bureau kept spreading, while Wuming remained indifferent. It turned out Wuming wasn’t aloof and untouchable by nature; rather, his poisonous body forced him to distance himself from others. Tu Si, being immune to the poison, was the only exception—so Wuming clung to him excessively, tugging at him like an immune little weed. Tu Si felt like his hair was about to be rubbed bald. Going so long without touching any living being must have been pitiful indeed. It was understandable. Feeling sympathy for the captain for three seconds, Tu Si decided: let people misunderstand if they want.

Noticing Tu Si’s increasingly sympathetic gaze, Wuming instantly knew this little thing was overthinking again. He poked Tu Si’s head and asked, “What? You dislike my instant noodles?”

Tu Si sighed, patted Wuming’s shoulder, and said with heartfelt gravity, “Poor child! You’ve suffered.” Then he lowered his head to taste the noodles. They were tom yum flavored — not bad, but Tu Si didn’t like them. They carried a strange, funky smell.

Upon hearing Tu Si’s words clearly, a vein throbbed on Wuming’s forehead. Ke Xian, sitting farther away, didn’t catch what Tu Si said. Fang Xia, however, heard every word. She pressed her lips tightly together, fighting hard not to burst out laughing, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her. Not daring to make a scene, she quickly finished her noodles and bolted to her room.

Later that night, Xu Jinyan and Ailin returned. Ailin looked gleefully mischievous, while Xu Jinyan’s eyes were vacant, his hair disheveled.

When Tu Si and Fang Xia saw the video on Ailin’s phone — of Xu Jinyan being “face-washed” by a drag queen — they laughed until they were doubled over.

Patting Xu Jinyan’s shoulder, Fang Xia said, “Boys need to learn how to protect themselves when they’re out in the world.”

Xu Jinyan shuddered. “Does this count as harassment?”

Fang Xia burst out laughing. “Then that makes you the ultimate sucker — you paid for harassment! Hahahahahahaha!”

After teasing him for a while, everyone began sharing the ghost stories and cases they’d investigated — all variations on the same themes of curses and vengeance, where karma played out swiftly in the present life.

But really, they hadn’t come to Thailand to investigate; the inquiries were just to help them write better reports. The mission was now complete, and they could finally relax — eat, drink, and enjoy themselves.

Beaches, sunshine, freedom, indulgence.

Everyone went wild. Three days flew by in a flash. When Wuming finally announced that it was time to prepare to enter the game, the huskies* who had just been set free started howling in protest.

(*Huskies – slang for rowdy, playful people acting like chaotic dogs.)

Wuming smiled silently at the group rolling around and wailing. Gradually, the howling subsided, and a moment later, everyone slunk back to their rooms to change clothes, tails drooping.

Tu Si returned to his room and changed into the Bureau’s long-sleeved uniform. As he stood before the mirror adjusting his clothes, he noticed that with his waist-length golden curls paired with the police uniform, there was an oddly risqué “uniform play” vibe. Feeling uncertain, he knocked hesitantly on Wuming’s door.

When Wuming opened it, he saw Tu Si fidgeting, head lowered, tugging at his hair. “What’s wrong?” he asked, puzzled.

Tu Si pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and said, “I’m just an intern. Do I really have to wear the uniform? I feel like I look… indecent like this. It’s not very proper. It might tarnish the Bureau’s image.”

Wuming frowned, lifting Tu Si’s chin. “You usually seem so confident. Why are you suddenly belittling yourself? What — golden hair and blue eyes disqualify you from serving the public? A good-looking civil servant automatically corrupts public morals? That’s some serious stereotyping.”

Still uncertain, Tu Si asked, “Are you sure it won’t affect anything? People could easily talk. It might reflect badly on the Bureau.”

Wuming chuckled softly. “We speak with our strength here. When I was awarded my medal, my photo went online and people called me a pretty boy who climbed ranks with his face. Did that stop me from becoming captain? A beautiful appearance can be both an advantage and a disadvantage — it depends on how you handle it. If you’re really worried, you could cut it short or shave it off. But the uniform must be worn. It symbolizes your identity. Wearing it means you carry the duty and responsibility of protecting the people.”

Tu Si instantly snatched the strand of hair Wuming had been twirling, took a half step back, and shielded his head. “Don’t you dare touch my hair! I’d rather die than cut it! It’s my lifeblood!”

Wuming nodded with a smile. “Then earn your merits and trade them for perks. Leaders always give extra leeway to the capable ones.”

Still shaken, Tu Si stroked his hair protectively. “I don’t care what people say. I was just worried they might drag you into it. Good intentions mistaken for donkey liver and lungs*… You better not harm my hair!”

(*“Donkey liver and lungs” – Chinese idiom for kindness being mistaken for malice.)

Wuming merely smiled without replying. Tu Si said nothing more and hurried to the living room to assemble.

Author’s Note

This is an alternate world; please do not associate it with reality.