Zhou Jun adjusted Ma Yuan's blanket. Make sure his beloved stay warm. He staring at Ma Yuan's face who was sleeping soundly like a baby. But his heart starts to ache after he saw how Ma Yuan frowned in his sleep. Zhou Jun gently stroked Ma Yuan's eyebrows. Trying to erase his nightmares.
"What are you dreaming about that makes you frown like this?"
Zhou Jun asked softly. His voice vibrating in fear mixed with regret.
"A Yuan. It won't happen again. I promise."
Zhao Jun said as he gently kissed Ma Yuan's forehead. He knew regret couldn't bring back Ma Yuan peace. But he will do everything to protect him. To atone his sin. Even if he has to do it for the rest of his life.
Outside the room, everyone gathered, patiently waiting for Zhou Jun to come out. Ru Yi, Bai Lu, Li Feng, and Fu Heng were also there after being dragged into the mess.
All eyes were focused on the door as soon as the door was opened. Zhou Jun's gloomy face greeted their's gaze.
"Is he asleep?"
Ru Yi asked. Zhou Jun nodded. Weakly. As if all of his soul wasn't there.
"What was exactly happened?"
Ru Yi asked with a hint of command. Answer or pay the consequences. He needed a definite answer after being dragged into this mess. Seeing Ma Yuan lose his sense and try to hurt himself and those around him was no longer a small problem that can be ignored.
Zhou Jun shook his head after a long pause. He never witness this behavior from Ma Yuan. Not even once. Basically Ma Yuan will standing tall with his stoic face and sharp tongue. That's all.
"I really don't know what happened. He wasn't like this before."
Zhou Jun replied. His voice sounded desperate. Mu Zhe gently stroked Zhou Jun's shoulder. Trying to calm his friend down. Even himself was still in shock.
"But...What's wrong with your nose?"
Ru Yi asked as soon as he saw Mu Zhe's nose clogged with tissue. There was blood stain on the tissue.
"Oh. This? It's nothing. The weather really hot tonight."
Mu Zhe replied while fanning his face with his hand. Pretending as if he was not trembling from the freezing breeze that night.
"Hot weather?"
Ru Yi asked with his disbelief face. Mu Zhe nodded while making an awkward smile.
"In October?"
Ru Yi asked again. Mu Zhe nodded.
"Eh!?"
Mu Zhe quickly shook his head. He just realized that it was about to enter winter now and the temperature could reach minus five. Mu Zhe glared at Lulu. Begging for sympathy so that Lulu could help him.
"Err... Try to remember, since when did teacher Ma become like this?"
Lulu asked Zhou Jun while pulling Mu Zhe to take cover behind him. Ru Yi glared sharply. "Tch! Show off" Ru Yi pursed his lips. "Kids nowadays." Ru Yi make a smug face.
"I don't know!"
Zhou Jun replied while scratching his head roughly. His brain can't be function anymore. Witnessing Ma Yuan act like that for the first time, make his entire world turned upside down.
***
"Don't come near me!"
Out of the blue Ma Yuan screaming. As if he being possessed. Making Zhou Jun and the others startle. Zhou Jun stood up. Trying to calm Ma Yuan down. Ma Yuan quickly reached for the scissors on Lulu's table.
"A Yuan! Please don't..."
Zhou Jun pleaded as he took a few steps back. The others also do the same. Zhang Yiran didn't wait long. He ran out to ask for help.
"I'll kill you if you come!"
Ma Yuan screamed. His hands trembling with fear. Tears streamed down his cheeks.
"A Yuan. Please calm down. It's me A Jun. Your little brother."
Zhou Jun tried his best to coaxed. Ma Yuan shook his head.
"Don't lie!"
He screamed as he tried to stab Zhou Jun with the scissors in his hand. Fortunately, Zhou Jun managed to dodge.
Ah Fei was starting to get scared. He tightly gripped Jiang Hai's hand. His hands were shaking and cold sweat began to wet his entire body.
Lulu stood firm in front of Mu Zhe. Protecting his beloved with all his soul and body.
"You and them are the same. Deceivers!!"
Ma Yuan shouted.
"Who are they?"
Mu Zhe whispered to Lulu.
"Shhh..."
Lulu replied. Mu Zhe nodded and pressed his lips together.
"A Yuan... please put the scissors down. It's dangerous."
Zhou Jun persuaded.
"Shut up!!"
Ma Yuan shouted. His hand quickly turned the scissors towards him and tried to stab himself right to the neck.
"A Yuan!!"
"Teacher Ma!!"
Everyone screamed in shock and fear.
Tap!
Ma Yuan had already collapsed in Ru Yi's arms. No one saw when Ru Yi arrived. Before they knew it, he had arrived and Ma Yuan had already collapsed in his arms.
"Take him to his room. If necessary, tie his hands to the bed."
Ru Yi gave instructions. Before Bai Lu and Li Feng could receive the order, Zhou Jun first wrapped his arms around Ma Yuan. Only he can touch his Ma Yuan. He gently carried his Ma Yuan to their room.
***
"Last year. I remember now."
Zhou Jun said. He started to remember what happened last year. When he wanted to return to Uthopia alone. Without any words,
Ma Yuan run away from home and upon his return, he had changed into a different person.
"What happened?"
Ru Yi asked. Zhou Jun shook his head. Ru Yi and the others sighed heavily. Ru Yi threw his gaze at Li Feng. "Can I slapped him now? I'm run out of patience." Li Feng who understands every Ru Yi gesture, shook his head.
"He's your lover right? How could you didn't know?"
Zhang Yiran asked, starting to lose his patience.
"We were still enemies at that time."
Zhou Jun replied. He sounds angry. But not angry with Zhang Yiran tones when he asks. But to himself. He felt like he knows nothing about Ma Yuan. About his fears, his likes, his hates, his anger. Even more, his suffering.
"Shhh... stop arguing. You'll wake him up if the both of you keep yelling at each other."
Mu Zhe whispered. Afraid that Ma Yuan would wake up and act out of control again. Zhou Jun took a deep breath. So did Zhang Yiran. Each tried to control their anger towards each other.
"So...?"
Ask a voice out of nowhere. Sounds hilarious. Everyone turned around. Ling Er looked at Zhou Jun's face in disbelief.
"Yes. He's my lover."
Zhou Jun answering without being asked. His face was serious and determined. Not a single hesitation thread on his face.
Thats answer that made Ling Er collapse on the ground. Her face turned hollow. Now she knew. Ma Yuan get close to her when she was still Zhou Jun's lover and abandoned her after that was because of this.
"Hehehe..."
Ling Er let out her hollow laugh. She being used all this time. Can't believe with her stupidity.
"We have to do something. The problem with Li Yue is far from over. We can't let this problem interfere with our mission."
All eyes were on Ru Yi. fiercely. Ru Yi shivering a little after he could feel chilling gaze from everyone.
"I mean... I don't want Ma Yuan to suffer more if he faces Li Yue one day."
Ru Yi said. Unable to bear the sharp gaze from them anymore. The others sighed in relief. Ru Yi glared at Jiang Hai. Sharply. "So you don't trust me either." Ru Yi thought to himself and then quickly looked away.
"Bai Lu. You're a doctor, right? Can you help him?"
Ru Yi asked.
"Physically, sure I can. But mentally.... it's not my field."
Bai Lu answered. Ru Yi went silent. He thought for a moment. Deeply.
"Ling Er. You're good at reading body language. Could you try to help him."
Ru Yi asked.
"Boss. Are you crazy? If I could read his body language, I wouldn't be played."
Ling Er replied angrily. All eyes were focused on her. With full of questions mark above their head.
"What are you looking at? Wanna fight!?"
Ling Er snapped. She rolled her slave up. Ready to fight. She had a heartbroken now and everyone judging her stupidity. They quickly looked away. Pretending like they're know nothing after they openly provoking her anger.
"Is she really one of your team?"
Mu Zhe whispered to Ru Yi.
"Hey! I heard that!"
Ling Er snapped again. Mu Zhe quickly closed his mouth. Looking at Ling Er with his innocent face before he zipped his lips.
Ru Yi scratched his ears. He started to feel headache from what had happened.
"Haaa... I know who could help."
Bai Lu said suddenly. All eyes were focused on him. Hoping that he would meet the right person.
"Who?"
Zhou Jun asked excitedly. His heart was relieved. If there was someone who could cure his beloved illness, he would be willing to do anything for it.