1.7

The system was very efficient and in no time, evidence of various crimes of these big families were in his possession. He kept all of them in a hidden encrypted file for now. This wasn't the right time to expose these things.

A few weeks passed and Fu Ling no longer needed to use the wheelchair. He was asked to use a crutch for the time being but he felt it wasn't necessary so he didn't use it and just limped about.

Within these past weeks Fu Ling had been praised by the teachers severally on his progress. He listened in class and actually took real notes, unlike before.

The homeroom teacher was all smiles after knowing about this and in order to help Fu Ling more, he tasked Gu Lian with the job of supervising Fu Ling's studies this period so he wouldn't relapse while also helping him catch up.

Gu Lian didn't think it was necessary. Based on his observation, the young man could cope quite easily on his own but old Yi didn't believe it which led to Fu Ling being called to the teachers office to ask for his opinion.

Fu Ling was sitting in class solving equations while ignoring the slight headache when a student from another class yelled out to him. He went to the door.

"Fu Ling? Old Yi asked you to meet him in his office"

After saying this, he ran away. Fu Ling stood there for a while. Old Yi? Their homeroom teacher Cheng Yi? What did he want with him? There was no one to answer his question so Fu Ling obediently went to look for the teacher.

He knocked slightly on the office door and pushed it open then walked in.

Old Yi was sitting on the chair in the middle of the table and there were two other chairs in front of the table. Gu Lian sat in one of them. Fu Ling walked over and sat in the other.

Cheng Yi cleared his throat and told Gu Lian the reason why he was called over.

"I noticed you are more focused during lessons and many of the other teachers have come to me and told me about your change in habit. This is the right thing to do. You guys will be writing teg entrance exams soon and there's no time to while away. It's great that you're finally taking your studies seriously. But you've been out of touch for so long it must be very hard for you to keep up"

Fu Ling wanted to tell him he didn't have any trouble keeping up at all but the teacher continued

"I've asked Gu Lian to tutor you this period and help you brush up your foundation. What do you think about that?"

Fu Ling swallowed the words of rejection that came to his throat and smiled

"Thank you teacher. I really wouldn't know what to do. I don't have any friends and I can't ask anyone to help me. Thank you for putting me into consideration. Thank you as well classmate Gu for agreeing to help me this time."

Gu Lian couldn't refuse at this time anymore and so it was settled. They were then both sent out of the office like that.

Gu Lian couldn't hold himself anymore

"You look like you're doing fine. I doubt you need my help."

"But I do. Also, Gu Lian"

Gu Lian's heart skipped a beat

"Hmm?"

Fu Ling continued

"About the drink I owe you. Let's go today after school. I heard there's a new boba restaurant around this place. I won't take much of your time. Just a simple thank you. After all, we're going to be tutor and student soon. There's no need for any rigidity between us."

If it were any one else, Gu Lian would have immediately rejected the person. He didn't have that time. And he didn't like sweets. But when it came to this person, he found himself nodding his head in agreement.

Fu Ling smiled happily and they went back to the rest of their houses.

Fu Ling called the driver and told him he had something to do later so there would be no need to pick him up after school.

When the last bell rang, Gu Lian was no longer in class. Fu Ling wondered if he had been ditched but still decided to wait for him at the school gate.

A few minutes later, Gu Lian arrived. His hair was slightly tousled and there were small beads of sweat on his forehead. He took the initiative to apologize.

"I'm sorry. The teacher called me over last minute. Did you wait for long?"

Fu Ling shook his head

"Not that long"

They walked side by side and went to the stall. They got themselves a place to sit and Gu Lian pointed to the menu on the wall.

"Order anything you want. It's my treat."

They both placed their orders and sipped the drinks with buns from time to time. Clearly they didn't say anything, but they looked like they were in their own bubble and no one else could encroach.

When they were done from there they walked towards the subway. Gu Lian hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

"You —Why didn't you send me any messages?"

Fu Ling was stunned

"I didn't want to bother you."

Gu Lian answered

"It's not bothersome."

Fu Ling smiled softly

"Well, I know now."

They came to an intersection where Fu Ling would wait for the bus while Gu Lian would pass the back alley home and waved goodbye to themselves.

After saying good bye to Gu Lian, he boarded the bus home in a good mood.

Gu Lian got back later than usual and his mom was very worried. She heaved a sigh of relief when she saw he was safe.

"Why did you come by this time today? I was very worried about you."

Gu Lian lowered his head slightly

"I'm sorry. I went out with...a friend."

Mother Gu obviously noticed there was something different about her son today but she didn't think too much about it and instead focused on something else.

"You made a friend?"

Gu Lian smiled

"Yes."

Mother Gu was elated

"Bring him home sometime let me get to know him as well okay?"

"Mnnn"

On the other hand, Fu Ling finally got back home and walked inside while whistling. He was obviously in a good mood but when he saw the couple sitting in the living room, Fu Ling froze, his fingertips turned cold and fear spread in his heart. This was a conditioned reflex left from the original owner.

This wasn't right. Despite his weak and easy to bully attitude, the original owner was actually very arrogant and rebellious in his bones. He wasn't one to fear anyone much less his unavailable parents but the burning panic in his heart told him all he needed to know. The original owner was terrified of his parents.

The couple sitting heard the sound and turned around. The elegant and beautiful lady immediately frowned when she saw him standing there.

"Are you paralyzed? Can't even greet your parents anymore?"

Fu Ling took a look at them then turned around and ran up the stairs and straight into his room closing the door and twisting the lock behind him.

Fu Ling lay on the bed and tried to get rid of the left over emotions. He had never experienced this feeling before and almost couldn't stop himself from killing the culprits. He had left there for their own safety. Fu Ling stayed that way for a while and managed to finally calm down a little.

He went into the bathroom and washed up then picked up his book but the headache today seemed even worse than usual. He didn't have the habit of torturing himself so he closed the book and went back to bed.

He rolled around for a while and picked up his phone. He looked at the friends in his contact list and sent a message.

Fu Ling:[Asleep?]

The reply was almost instant

Gu Lian:[No.]

Fu Ling:[When do we start?]

Gu Lian:[Tomorrow at school. And in the boba stall during weekends?]

Fu Ling:[Alright, that's okay.]

They talked about some casual things before saying good night. Fu Ling turned off the light switch and settled to sleep.

The young man on the bed was trembling slightly and was drenched with cold sweat. Anyone who saw him in this condition would know he was having a nightmare. His eyebrows were furrowed and his lashes kept shaking then all of a sudden he jerked up from bed.

Fu Ling was breathing heavily and seemed to be shrouded in cold air. He had a dream. He now knew why the original owner was so afraid of these parents. They were beasts no doubt. To be able to do such a thing to a young child, their own young child made Fu Ling's heart turn cold. Parental favouritism is the worst thing to ever happen to a child.

Fu Ling calmed down his greeting and went to the bathroom to wash off the sweat from his body. He didn't feel like sleeping anymore so he studied till day break. His head was pounding but he emotionlessly kept on. He has never been one to give in to oppression and it won't start now.