Chapter 6: Brassy Love


    The next morning


    Lu Yibei screamed and darted awake. His sweat-soaked back clung to his pyjamas, making him feel incredibly mmy, and an unexinable chill ran down his back. He took off his blindfold and reached for the light as he was greeted with a messy bed.


    He took several deep breaths to calm himself down.


    I dreamt of that damned rabbit again. And that poor woman


    All he could remember was Mr Rabbits lips unfurling like des as his sharp teeth pierced through the womans neck like a de, and everything was red.


    Her death was too vivid, and strangely enough, it felt real.


    He touched his neck gently, feeling as if he was the one being torn apart by the rabbits des for teeth.


    Feeling a liquid run down his throat, he froze. It took him a considerable time to realize that it was sweat, not blood.


    That rabbit is a big problem


    He wanted to contact the police, but thinking about it, nobody would believe him.


    Calling the police because of a nightmare. How smart, Yibei mocked himself in the mirror. Like hell, theyll believe you. Next thing you know, youre in the mental hospital once again.


    But


    It felt so real.


    Am I going to be next?


    Lu Yibei gulped at this revtion, shaking his head.


    No, no, no!


    Theres no point in scaring yourselfyeah! Maybe it was just a nightmare, or maybe Im just getting paranoid about that damned rabbit.


    He turned to look in the mirror, realizing that his jaw was tense. There was no way he could calm himself down.


    Looking out the window and at the clock, it was 4:50 in the morningstill dark, four hours before dawn.


    Leaving the house would be dangerous.


    Yibei got up and went downstairs. The living room was deathly quiet, save for the ear-piercing sounds of his coat outside being blown by the violent morning wind.


    ncing out the window, the coat looked like aically short man under the pale moonlight as if he were being tossed around by the wind.


    Yibeis paranoia still gnawed at him as he pulled the curtains shut.


    Out of sight, out of mind.


    After turning on the light, he paced to the side and murmured to Ac, the Immovable, I hope you dont mind, but I have to do this after tonights incident. Sorry.


    Ac, the Immovables presence, showered Yibei with an inexplicable sense of security in his heart. He stepped forward and picked the statue up, hauling it towards his bedroom.


    He ced the statue on his bed gingerly, turning around to turn on his speaker to y [Love and Magical Girl]s soundtrack, which was sung by none other than Bai Xiaohua. Lu Yibeiy beside the statue and fell back asleep.


    Holding the statues sturdy body and listening to Bai Xiaohuas voice calmed Yibei down, but he no longer felt sleepy.


    <i>What am I doing?</i>


    Yibei thought he was going to be awake until dawn, but he didnt expect his eyes to droop, and soon, just as dawn arrived, he fell back asleep.


    In his blurred vision, all he could make out was a pair of bloodshot eyes staring at him.


    Lu Yibei felt cold like his body had just been thrown into ake. He sank, and he could hear a voice speaking to him.


    It was like a strange whisper that tickled his eardrums. It was like an ancient and mysterious bad in an unknownnguage.


    Then the voice became clear.


    Ring!


    Lu Yibei was jolted awake when he found that his phone was ringing loudly.


    It was from Shui, who wanted to make a video call with him.


    Yibei groaned before epting the call, and a handsome face appeared on the screen, shing him a grin.


    Yibei, whats up? Sleep well?


    Whatever.


    Damn, Shui put a hand up to his chest as he shifted the camera to his face, pulling an exaggerated sad face. Youre cold.


    I have facial paralysis! I cant move my face! Yibei retorted.


    Oh, my bad. I forgot you couldnt make any faces.


    Youre calling me for a reasonI just know it! Let me guess, you screwed up at your little gig again?


    Excuse me! Im working in Public Rtions. Right, lets just call it that: Public. Rtions. Ill have you know that.


    Okay, okay, Mr Public Rtions. What happened this time?


    Yibeis father once told him that Shui is Huachengs first male to work in Public Rtions, and to be honest, he could believe it.


    What other job requires you to dress mboyantly and work only at night? Thats rightan escort!


    Shui is also constantly exhausted whenever he gets off work, making Yibei shudder to think what Shui has done to his body for money.


    It was reflected in Shuis appearance, too; whenever they met, Shui would look drained, like he didnt have a drop left in him.


    Yibei doesnt discriminate against male escorts, but he is sure that he discriminates against Shui himself.


    Having a man cling to you and circle around you, promising you the world and whispering sweet nothings in your ears Yibei cringes whenever he thinks about it.


    Actually, Shui continued. I did encounter somethingst night. I thought about it for some time but decided to call you today because I wanted to.


    Shui came to an epiphanyst night; he wanted to ept Lu Yibei as his godson.


    However, before Shui finished his sentence, he saw a figure on Yibeis bed, and Yibeis hand was resting on the figures chest, drawing small circles on its chest with his fingers.


    Shuis eye twitched.


    Y-Yibei? W-whos on your bed?


    Oh, thats


    Yibei! Im sorry! I forgot you were a teenager with needs; Im sorry!


    Shui, thats a statue.


    A statue?! My statue?! Thats the worst! Its made of brass! Youll get hurt if you


    Yibei tuned Shuis voice out.


    Just what is going on in that mind of his


    Yibei, Shui interrupted with a serious tone. I am sorry for not considering your needs, but


    Yibei hovered his finger over the [End Call] button.


    F*ck! Okay! Im sorry! Dont hang up! Im not going to interfere with your personal interests! I called you to tell you that I want you to be my godson!


    Yibei hung up the phone and blocked Shuis number and all of his social media ounts.


    I treat you as my brother! Not a father! Damn it!


    It didnt take long for his phone to vibrate again.


    ncing at the screen, it was a text message from an unknown number:


    [At least let me finish!]


    Yibei knew it was Shui texting him, and his finger hovered over the [Block Number] button. However, Shui sent a serious text next.


    [Yibei, tomorrow is thest day to register at the university. Take some time today to enrol. Otherwise, you might have to retake the exam.]


    Yibeis fingers swiftly tapped on the screen.


    [Got it. Ill goter.]


    He swiftly blocked Shuis new number.


    Lu Yibei suddenly thought of his nightmare. He hesitated as his finger hovered over Shuis profile but decided not to tell him.


    Hell make fun of me if I tell him. I rather not feed him any more material.


    The Night Divisions headquarters


    Bai Kai was about to get off work when his phone beeped. Upon seeing Yibeis reply, he smiled like the spring breeze was gently blowing on him.


    A passing operator saw him and peeked over: Bai, whats got you in a good mood?


    I got me a godson, he smiled as he shook his phone.


    Is that so? Congrattions! You should bring him over for dinner sometime.


    Of course! Bai Kaiughed as he patted the operators shoulder. Wait, no. I think he might be a little autistic. He has trouble with people.


    As he was engaging in a lively conversation with the operator, he dialled Yibei, but all he heard in his ear was, The number you dialled is currently unavable.


    He tried sending a few more text messages but failed, and he soon realized that he was once again blocked by his godson.