The police station was some years old already and to be honest, at a glance, it definitely could not be said to appear solemn and grave. But—perhaps due to the presence of the police insignia—before the cab came to a complete stop, on the other side of the window that wasn’t very clean—Xu Tangcheng still felt as though the building was trying to strip away the last bit of calmness in his heart.

He got down from the cab and walked forward. He saw Zhao Weifan waiting there, sitting on a flight of steps at the side of the entrance. It was the phone call from this girl just now that had confirmed all the premonitions in his heart.

At that time, he had been following the flow of people towards the exit. The sun rays collided into the large glass windows beside him, the glass sharpening the rays until they were unusually intense. Together with the phone call, it trapped him in a dizzying feeling.

"Yi Zhe asked me to tell you that he can't pick you up." The voice in the call was still calm but was increasingly weak, letting Xu Tangcheng hear that the girl was trying her best to hide her panic. "He asked you to take a cab back yourself and to be careful on your way."

Xu Tangcheng gripped his phone tightly and asked, "What happened to him?"

Zhao Weifan saw him. She quickly stood up at the steps and waved.

"What is the situation now?" After a quick greeting, Xu Tangcheng asked as they walked.

"He's probably going to be detained. The other party also said that he wants to sue him now."

Xu Tangcheng was stunned for the moment. His expression turned grave. "Sue him?"

"Yeah." Zhao Weifan nodded and explained everything to him in a single breath. "They couldn't reach a reconciliation. That person called Yu An is in the hospital right now. The police went over in the afternoon to evaluate his injuries, the result isn't out yet but I heard that he has broken bones or something. His family came over and hasn't left yet. The police have taken statements from the witnesses, and from Yi Zhe and Yu An. I stopped one of the student witnesses and asked—what happened at that time was that not long after Yu An entered the lab, Yi Zhe charged right in and hit him without saying anything, so the people in the lab also don't know what happened and couldn't say anything. What makes it worse is that Yu An was basically on the defensive the entire time and didn't fight back. Right now, Yu An keeps saying that he doesn't know why Yi Zhe beat him up. For some reason, Yi Zhe also refuses to say why he beat him up. So right now, the blame lies entirely on Yi Zhe alone. In this case, they'll definitely detain him. Furthermore, right now, the other party says that they'll only reconcile on one condition, which is that Yi Zhe has to apologise. Yi Zhe refused."

"Wait a minute." Xu Tangcheng stopped. He confirmed with her, his tone rather curious, "They only want an apology?"

"Yeah. They said it was Yu An who said that. He doesn't want any compensation but Yi Zhe must first apologise to him in person, then post an apology on the campus forums and eliminate any negative impact this incident might have on him. Otherwise, he would definitely sue Yi Zhe."

Yu An said that?

For a moment, Xu Tangcheng couldn't figure out the purpose of this condition but he faintly sensed that this incident was not so simple. Initially he thought that perhaps Yu An had provoked Yi Zhe in some way, and Yi Zhe couldn't stop himself and had acted on impulse. After all, Yi Zhe had indeed told him before that he didn't like Yu An.

But after hearing Zhao Weifan's description of the events, regardless of whether it was Yu An not fighting back at all or this settlement condition that seemed very simple, both hinted to him that rather than an unexpected conflict, this was more like a premeditated trap.

A chill descended swiftly on Xu Tangcheng's heart. Carrying a shred of hope, he hoped that he was just thinking too much. Yu An shouldn't harbour so much evil intentions for no reason too.

While they were talking, the two of them reached the entrance of the large hall. When the police station was noisy, the noise was aggravating, reaching every corner. At this moment, a few police officers were handling three incidents. The main parties in the incidents with the addition of family members that were all excellent speakers, the sounds of disputes and tearful complaints, were all enough to fill the entire building.

Xu Tangcheng spotted Yi Zhe immediately. In that area, there were a few people either sitting or standing, all of them wearing long-sleeved shirts with the exception of Yi Zhe who was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt. Yi Zhe sat on a chair, his back to Xu Tangcheng, ramrod straight.

This posture was in perfect accordance with Yi Zhe's usual attitude, yet it made Xu Tangcheng suddenly lose his confidence. Before coming, he had made sure to bring his bank card, certain that no matter how much money the other party wanted, he would settle this incident for Yi Zhe.

But no one knew better than him what Yi Zhe’s current posture meant.

As Xu Tangcheng thought that, his heart was rather troubled and without him realising it, his steps also slowed down. Like he could feel it, the person in front of him suddenly turned his head, meeting his gaze without warning.

After half a month, they met again—in this environment that did not make anyone happy, in this manner that they had never imagined.

There was a bruise on the corner of Yi Zhe's mouth but he didn't seem to have any serious injuries. Even though he had yet to think of a way to resolve the problem, Xu Tangcheng's heart still settled down a little.

At least he was safe.

Yi Zhe stood up, too sudden. Probably thinking that he wanted to start trouble, the police officer who was in charge of questioning him immediately looked up and shouted at him, "What are you doing! Sit down!"

This shout attracted quite a lot of people in the room to look in that direction and at the same time, to look at Yi Zhe, with unsympathetic gazes.

Xu Tangcheng frowned slightly.

Because of Yi Zhe's movement, Yu An's family also turned around quickly and noticed his arrival. The angrier they were, the more they could not lose hold of their upbringing; the woman sitting at the side had a deep furrow between her brows and her mouth twitched, yet she still restrained herself and only coldly watched him come in.

Yi Zhe didn't sit back down after standing up. He waited until Xu Tangcheng reached the desk, then inclined his body towards him. He didn't say anything but his lips were pursed the whole time, his head slightly lowered to look at Xu Tangcheng. Xu Tangcheng patted Yi Zhe's hand that was hanging down beside his body where it was hidden from view but to his surprise, he felt something damp and slightly chilly. He looked down and opened Yi Zhe's hand, and saw a very deep cut.

"Why didn't you get this bandaged?"

Wasn't evaluating injuries something that should be done on both parties? Why didn't anyone take care of their side?

Yi Zhe didn't say anything. Instead, the police officer was the first to speak. "He didn't let us bandage it."

Hearing the voice, Xu Tangcheng immediately turned and gave a slight bow, greeting the police officer.

"I'm sorry for the trouble."

The police officer who spoke just now waved and continued to ask Xu Tangcheng's identity. "You're his...?"

"Older brother."

"Biological older brother?"

Xu Tangcheng shook his head. "No."

The young police officer who was taking notes by the side immediately asked, "Exact relationship?"

After asking this, he did not get any response even after a long while. Both police officers looked up curiously; what they saw was the man in front of them staring at that notebook thoughtfully.

After a while, Xu Tangcheng finally said, "Neighbour, and a friend."

"That won't do." The interrogating officer knocked a couple of times on the desk. "It's best if his family comes here."

"His family is not in Beijing," Xu Tangcheng explained simply.

"Oh, I guess he came to Beijing to study?" The interrogating officer tugged the notebook over and flipped through it. He curled his lips. "Here to study and you still get into fights?"

The woman at the side cut in and said, "Since he has no other family members coming, then let's quickly start discussing. We've already wasted a whole evening here. Say whether or not you're going to apologise; if you insist on not apologising, then we will prepare to sue."

The woman's eyes and brows were rather similar to Yu An's. She was probably Yu An's mother. Compared to her agitation that she was trying hard to suppress, the man next to her was much calmer. He did not speak at all the whole time but his eyes also did not move away from Xu Tangcheng and Yi Zhe. For some unknown reason, as much as the woman's aggression gave them pressure, it was the man's scrutiny that made Xu Tangcheng feel more uncomfortable.

Silently and without a fuss, he took a small step to block Yi Zhe's side, cutting off the man's scrutiny of Yi Zhe.

"I got a rough understanding of the situation just now," Xu Tangcheng softened his tone and said to the police officer. "But there are some points that are unclear and I'll need to ask you."

"Go on," the interrogating officer rubbed his nose bridge and replied.

"Has the reason behind the incident been investigated?"

"Shouldn't you ask your little brother that?" The woman let out a snort.

The police officer was just about to open his mouth but after that line, he didn't speak anymore. He turned his neck and stared directly at the woman.

The woman also had no fear despite interrupting the police officer just now and even stood up right away. She asked Xu Tangcheng, "My son was beaten up so badly by your little brother in his own lab and he doesn't even know what he has done to offend him. Your little brother hasn't said anything even after nearly a day. If it wasn’t because my son is kind and said that there must be a misunderstanding, and asked me to help him talk things over and handle the settlement, would I waste my time here? Now, great, it's like we're the ones begging him to apologise."

She kept coming near Xu Tangcheng as she spoke. By the end of her words, the distance between the two of them was far closer than the social distance that was comfortable.

Someone pulled him from behind. Xu Tangcheng didn't move and even reached behind him to grasp that wrist. "I'm sorry."

Keeping his voice as mild as possible, he asked the woman in front of him, "May I ask if I can visit Senior Yu An?"

"There's no need for that," the woman refused very quickly. "Before this matter is settled, you two don't need to disturb my son."

Hearing that, Xu Tangcheng nodded. He didn't continue asking. After a few seconds of silence, he asked the police officer, "Can I speak alone with my younger brother?"

The interrogating officer raised a brow, then leaned back against the chair.

"I believe that he wouldn't…" Halfway through his words, Xu Tangcheng was afraid that what he said would anger Yu An's mother so he cut himself off and only said, "Perhaps there's something that's inconvenient for him to say. I'll talk to him, maybe it'll help with resolving the case."

Yi Zhe's silent attitude might have made the police officer feel rather resigned after an entire day. The person who was beaten up was also insisting on prioritising a peaceful settlement, making it seem like a compromise but in actual fact, there was no conclusion. The interrogating officer signalled to the person taking notes, then got up and said to Xu Tangcheng and Yi Zhe, "Come with me."

Before leaving, Xu Tangcheng again apologised to Yu An's mother. "I hope you can give us a bit more time. We need to find out clearly what happened. If it is really entirely Yi Zhe's fault, we will give our full apology and compensation."

The young police officer brought them to a small room. He opened the door, then let out a cough and said suddenly, "Let me remind you, in the case of a fight, his detainment could be either a criminal case or a public security case. Not to mention that the other party has already said that they want to bring it to court. It's best if you advise him and tell us everything that should be told. The other party doesn't even want compensation. Hurry up and apologise, and just settle it peacefully."

Xu Tangcheng nodded and made a noise of assent. He sat in the room with Yi Zhe while the young police officer stood at the door. He was very well aware of what he should say and ask at this point in time, but when he glimpsed the blood trickling between Yi Zhe's fingers, Xu Tangcheng couldn't help asking softly, "Does it hurt? Why didn't you get it treated?"

After a brief silence, Yi Zhe shook his head. Who knew which question he was responding to.

Without saying anything, Xu Tangcheng reached out to take Yi Zhe's hand. Yi Zhe was ready for him this time and moved his hand, hiding it behind his back. Xu Tangcheng looked up at him. Yi Zhe met his eyes and said, "I'm really fine."

This scene seemed to have happened before.

Xu Tangcheng recalled almost immediately. On a certain summer's day in the past, he had returned home late at night and met Yi Zhe who was crouched on the edge of the flowerbed and feeding a cat. That time, it had been the corner of his eye. He had wanted to take a closer look and Yi Zhe had also evaded him then.

All of a sudden, his thoughts wandered elsewhere. He thought, that incident seemed to be something so far away now.

This small room was likely to be used infrequently. The table was covered in a thin layer of dust. Xu Tangcheng did not notice it initially and it was only after the two of them had exchanged a few words that he saw it. There was already a mark on his white long-sleeved shirt, like a flowing black river.

He extended a finger and drew on the dust. He asked Yi Zhe directly, "Why did you hit him?"

He waited for a long while but still did not get a response. When Xu Tangcheng was about to continue asking, the person beside him suddenly leaned his body forward and tugged Xu Tangcheng's arm, moving it away from the table surface. Following that, Yi Zhe gripped his own fist and put it on the table, wiping it with the flat of his wrist. On the table surface in front of Xu Tangcheng, he wiped an area clean, a clear boundary between it and the dusty areas.

"It's dirty."

Xu Tangcheng stared at him, in a bit of a daze.

The emotions from reuniting after a separation came rather late. It was only now—after pushing aside the pile of thorny problems that needed to be delved into, as their eyes met—that those feelings finally washed over the two of them, all of a sudden.

"I didn't pick you up," Yi Zhe said.

Not "I miss you," not "You're finally back." But Xu Tangcheng finally understood why Yi Zhe had kept staring at him just now.

Yi Zhe was just about to open his mouth again when Xu Tangcheng said before him, "Stop."

The mouth that opened closed again. Yi Zhe looked at him obediently.

"It's okay." Xu Tangcheng lowered his head again, looking down for a while. After about ten seconds, he continued to say to Yi Zhe, "But do you know—when the plane landed and I found out about this—how worried I was?"

"I'm sorry." After a silence, Yi Zhe spoke.

He was interrupted just now but those words still came out of his mouth in the end.

"You can't tell me either?" Xu Tangcheng asked him. "Why on earth did you get into a fight?"

Yi Zhe shook his head. "It's not anything good so I don't want you to know."

"Then will you apologise?"

Yi Zhe still shook his head.

"No. They can do whatever they want. I won't apologise." After saying that, he grasped the hand Xu Tangcheng placed on the table. "You don't need to bother with this either."

Yu An's parents had left earlier. Xu Tangcheng and Zhao Weifan stepped out of the police station main doors at ten at night. The cab stopped at University B and after Zhao Weifan got down, Xu Tangcheng told the driver, "Please go to the People's Hospital."

Almost at the same time as he said that, Xu Tangcheng received a text from Yu An.

The text contained a ward number, like the sender had guessed that he would be coming.

At this hour, the corridors of the inpatient area of the hospital was quiet and dim. Perhaps he had purposely sent away his family or perhaps they hadn't arrived yet; when Xu Tangcheng opened the door to the ward, there was only Yu An inside.

He swiftly evaluated Yu An's injuries: a broken arm, a brace on his neck.

Despite that, he was sitting up.

Sitting up, like he was waiting for him.

"How was the trip to Japan?"

Xu Tangcheng didn't answer him, nor did he stop walking. He didn't come to stand next to Yu An's bed and instead, walked to the window, choosing a spot where it was not convenient for Yu An to look at him.

"Why stand so far?" Yu An laughed. "I'm not like your little boyfriend, I don't like beating up people. What's more… he has already beaten me up until I'm in this state."

Yu An's words made Xu Tangcheng's perception of the room undergo a subtle change; or rather, it was a feeling of having his understanding of a certain thing overturned. The senior that was always well-mannered in his memories was actually saying such bitter and mocking words, and had even injected a wheedling touch in those last words. Xu Tangcheng felt as though he had never known Yu An and as a result, he felt a slight discomfort. He cleared his throat and asked calmly, "Why did he beat you up?"

"He didn't say?" Yu An very quickly asked him back, yet no surprise could be seen on his face.

Xu Tangcheng didn't answer. He did not rush Yu An either, and just leaned against the windowsill and waited.

Failing to get a response from Xu Tangcheng, after a while, Yu An finally said, "I don't know why he hit me. Perhaps you should take him to see a psychiatrist."

Despite those words, Xu Tangcheng showed no signs of anger. Instead, he thrusted both hands into his pockets and switched to an even more comfortable pose before replying unhurriedly, "Even though I don't know the reason why, I believe that he wasn't wrong."

There was a degree of deliberation in those words, purely because Xu Tangcheng was very tired and didn't want to beat around the bush with Yu An, so he wanted to try and see if this would incite Yu An into dropping that sinister act.

As expected, Yu An's expression darkened at once. Were it not for the neck brace obstructing him, he would definitely be meeting Xu Tangcheng's eyes now to demand answers.

"He wasn't wrong?"

Xu Tangcheng didn't say anything.

There was only a very dim light in the ward, shining on the stark white bandages on Yu An's forehead. He let out a soft chuckle and spoke in a voice loaded with sincerity and meaning, "I've already told you before, he's too impulsive and doesn't suit you. I only showed him two photos and he actually beat me up so badly right on campus."

"What photos."

"Nothing much, just photos from that day when our lab ate together. Perhaps there was one where the angle was a little coincidental… and made him misunderstand?" Yu An pretended to be deep in thought, then let out a laugh. "Oh, that should be it. There wasn't anything special about the other photo, it was just a photo I took of you. Looking at it, Tangcheng, he doesn't seem to have much trust in you."

Photos…

Xu Tangcheng really didn't have much of an impression of them. He had never taken any photos with Yu An but there might have been one from that day, when Yu An suddenly put an arm around his shoulders and took a photo.

Yu An did not get the result he expected. To be more precise, Xu Tangcheng did not respond to him at all.

After studying the floor for a long time, Xu Tangcheng pressed his hand against the windowsill and pushed himself into standing. He said, "Senior, I hope you have a quick recovery. I'll be leaving now."

He walked forward without any care for Yu An's reaction. But when he was near the door, a word suddenly came from behind him. "Stop."

Xu Tangcheng didn't stop but if one were to look carefully, he had actually slowed down his pace.

"Tangcheng, I don't know where your trust in him comes from, nor do I want to probe into it. But I don't think I did anything wrong and I will also pursue this matter until the end. I believe that you've already been to the police station; then, I hope you can quickly persuade him and get him to apologise to me. Otherwise…"

"Why?"

Before Yu An could finish his threat, Xu Tangcheng interrupted him.

"Why what?" Yu An sneered. "Don't you think he should apologise to me?"

This time, Xu Tangcheng turned around. He explained, "Why don't you want compensation and only want an apology?"

He believed that what Yu An said just now was not a lie but it was also definitely not the whole picture. If it was only some vague photos from a gathering, Yi Zhe's actions could not be explained at all.

Yi Zhe would beat people up, would get angry, but it was impossible for him not to trust Xu Tangcheng. Xu Tangcheng believed that there couldn't be any photos that would cross the line and set off Yi Zhe's rage. In that case, Yu An must be concealing something, and that something was the reason why Yi Zhe hit him and also the thing that Yi Zhe was unwilling to say even to Xu Tangcheng.

Yi Zhe had also said that it wasn't anything good. Then, even if he continued asking, Yu An would no longer tell the truth.

Yu An didn't expect that Xu Tangcheng would no longer worry about the earlier questions and switch to another one instead. Perhaps his injuries were affecting his reaction time, he remained silent for a long while. It was only when Xu Tangcheng turned around again and twisted the door handle that he threw out a line without any emotion.

"I want to see how tough his spirit is."

"There is something that I think you don't know. Previously, his teacher told him to contact me to get some of the materials I gathered, then study, supplement and share them during the regular meetings. But he didn't contact me. In three days, he completed all the work by himself from start to end. Such an unyielding spirit." Who knew which injury he pulled, Yu An sucked in a breath and the chuckle he had been about to let out turned somewhat vicious. "This time, I want to see how tough his spirit is, how much a single 'sorry' from him, from Yi Zhe, is worth."