Yuri stood in front of the main gate of the hotel after getting out of the taxi, then hesitated for a long time in place.

Seeing him with his head wrapped in thick bandages, a familiar doorman from the time he stayed here was surprised and approached him, making him smile and say it was okay before stepping into the lobby, but his steps stopped there once more.

His own image with a head full of bandages was reflected on the cleanly polished door frame.

The injury wasn’t too serious. Just a bruise that wasn’t worrisome and a bit of torn skin. Although there was a lot of blood, making it seem like a severe injury, it would subside in a few days with some ointment.

However, the image with the bandages seemed to protest: ‘He did this to me!’, making him not want to face Ling Xinlu at this moment. Of course, he couldn’t avoid meeting until the wound completely healed, but in the end, there was no other way.

Yuri stood for a moment in front of the elevator door, then turned and walked out to the courtyard. Perhaps he should wait a bit longer before going in. More importantly, if there was no news from the bodyguard he entrusted, there was no need to worry too much. If there was contact, he could go immediately since he was at the hotel.

“……”

Perhaps because it was cloudy, there was no one at the pool. Only the clear water rippled due to the strong wind.

Yuri sat down on the bench right next to the pool. He took off the slippers he hurriedly wore when going to the hospital and lightly touched the water with his toes. The feeling of the water embracing his skin was familiar and pleasant.

He didn’t hesitate long.

Just took off his coat and hung it on the bench, then Yuri stepped into the pool with his shirt and fabric pants. There was no trace of the person who always said not to bother others, something he often reminded himself of, now only a Yuri yearning desperately for the feeling of being submerged in the water the moment it touched his skin. He didn’t even care about the wound.

Perhaps he was just unaware, but maybe he was quite tired. Was the thirst rising to this extent……

Unlike usual, the clothes clinging to his skin were uncomfortable but he quickly got used to it. The sharp pain from the wound gradually became numb. What remained was peace and warmth—all the frustration and suffering melted away and drifted off.

……Ah, right. This is it. The thing he always longed for, as natural as breathing, to the point he never thought he missed it.

Yuri closed his eyes. He felt the burdens in his heart gradually melting away bit by bit. Yes. He was tired. It felt strange. He had never realized he was this tired.

In just a short time of less than a month, his heart had become so heavy. Truly, loving someone was difficult. Surely he was tired too. Perhaps ten times more than himself. If he was aware, bringing the heavy and weary heart to the surface of consciousness, that exhausting weight would be indescribable in words.

“…….”

If only he hadn’t said those words, perhaps everything would have been better? Words that seemed to lay bare Xinlu’s heart right in front of him, would swallowing them and keeping them inside have been a better choice? However, Yuri knew well that even if he went back to that moment, he would still say the same words. He blamed himself, someone not sensitive enough to find a way to speak that would hurt him less.

“…….”

‘Go up. Go up and tell him that I went to the hospital, that I’m not seriously injured. Then convey the news of Jeong Taeui. That he is there safely with his brother as a valued guest.’

Reflecting on the call he received on the way back from the hospital, Yuri slowly stood up. Dragging his body submerged in water up to the surface.

Right at the boundary where water and air met, feeling the caress of the water on his skin, Yuri sighed.

At that moment.

“ARE YOU CRAZY?!”

A shout that seemed to tear his eardrums rang out right next to him. He startled and opened his eyes.

The man standing in front of the pool as if about to jump in, grabbing the ladder and half his body already leaning into the pool, grabbed Yuri’s shoulder and pulled him out of the water.

“?…….??”

Pulled out of the water in a daze, Yuri looked up at the man glaring at him with half his body soaking wet. It was Ling Xinlu. The one who was supposed to be on the upper floors of the hotel. There was no reason to be here.

“…… Are you planning to swim?”

“Didn’t you say you don’t like swimming?” – Yuri asked, bewildered and full of confusion. Ling Xinlu glared fiercely at Yuri, then let out a light laugh as if in disbelief. However, there was no sign of a smile on Xinlu’s face.

“Even if you’re crazy about water and dream of becoming a water ghost, with a head like that, are you really going into the pool? Are you out of your mind? If you mix blood into the pool and everyone goes in, who would want to go there? Why are you so selfish?”

Yuri just blinked at the barrage of words thrown at him, then, like someone guilty, Yuri slightly shrank his shoulders, but when Xinlu closed his mouth, Yuri quietly asked.

“Are you worried?”

“Yes! I am worried! Looking down from above, seeing someone with a head wrapped in bandages, jumping into the pool fully clothed, I can only think: ‘Is this guy crazy or what!’ So what?!”

Ling Xinlu roared right in front of Yuri, his expression suggesting he was ready to throw Yuri back into the pool immediately. But Yuri just quietly looked at him. Although he knew the other was angry, he couldn’t suppress the sudden smile that appeared. And so Yuri just silently smiled.

“Thank you. You’re really kind.”

Xinlu opened his mouth wide to say something but was at a loss for words, just standing there staring at Yuri in disbelief. After glaring angrily at Yuri for a long time, finally, the corners of Xinlu’s mouth curved into a sarcastic smile.

“I’ve said it before, haven’t I? Just hearing these words feels like sarcasm, but you make me not feel that way. Truly a special talent.”

“Yes, you did say that.” 

Yuri calmly replied, then raised his hand to his head to check. The wound throbbed beneath the thick bandage. Perhaps the blood had seeped out again. But since he hadn’t bumped into anything, just disinfecting and changing the bandage would be fine.

“Are you less angry now?”

When Yuri quietly asked, and Xinlu, looking at him with annoyance, let out a snort.

“Now you can say that, ……”

Xinlu cut off mid-sentence, as if it wasn’t worth saying more. But for Yuri, it was very important. He wanted to know if the fierce wounds in Xinlu’s heart, once brutally scratched, had eased somewhat. Yuri silently waited for the next words, while Xinlu attentively looked at him. The eyes, once filled with ferocity and bitterness, momentarily became distorted.

“Mr. Gable. I’m being honest here. You seem to have a part of your mind that’s not quite clear. In this world, who would jump into the water right after getting their head stitched, and then say things like ‘You’re kind’ or ask ‘Are you less angry now’ in front of their abuser?”

“Unless you’re a fool or insane, right?” – Xinlu added, and he really considered Yuri to be either a fool or insane.

But no matter what he thought, Yuri still felt happy. ‘Yes, just this is enough.’ He thought.

For whatever reason, Ling Xinlu had come down here for Yuri. Whether it was out of concern, a tiny bit of guilt, or even the intention to take this opportunity to push him into the water. Yet, he appeared before Yuri, like an unexpected gift. Xinlu wasn’t as selfish or cruel as he thought of himself. Even if those aspects might reveal themselves in extreme situations, Ling Xinlu was still adorable enough. At least to Yuri, he was.

That’s the reason. The reason Yuri smiled. A joyful and warm smile. Seeing that smile, Ling Xinlu paused and looked at him with a strange expression—perhaps he was really thinking: ‘This guy is crazy.’ But no matter how he stared, Yuri didn’t mind.

“It’s okay. I’m fine. No need to worry. Me going into the water…… nothing will happen in here.”

Yuri glanced briefly at the pool. Even without any evidence, his belief was stronger than anything. That the water wouldn’t harm him. That place, to him, was more pleasant and peaceful than even the air. In the water, there was nothing difficult or painful, only warmth and comfort. Like the place he once was long ago, before he was born.

“Mr. Xinlu, if only you had a place like this.”

Suddenly, a feeling of regret surged in his heart, and Yuri murmured that.

He needed a place to immerse himself, a place that would make him no longer yearn, or no longer feel tired.

……If only the person named Jeong Taeui could become the water for him, how wonderful it would be.

But perhaps, that’s not just what Ling Xinlu needed. Maybe, there was someone who needed him more than Xinlu, more urgently and earnestly…… Yes, surely that’s the case.

Yuri turned his gaze away from the pool and looked at Ling Xinlu. He was making a strange, indescribable expression. As if considering whether to be angry, shout, mock, sigh, or not – even though it was almost impossible – cling to him and choke out that he felt unfair like a child.

The moment he saw that face, Yuri suddenly thought ‘Ah’ echoed in his mind without any reason.

‘He’ll be fine.’

There was no reason or evidence, but that belief was strong and clear, like the firm belief that water would not harm him.

“You’ll find it eventually. Now is the time for you to be happy. You will step into a wider and more forgiving stream, deserving of what you have been through.”

Yuri raised his hand and gently placed it on Ling Xinlu’s head. The action was so natural that he didn’t think the boy might feel uncomfortable or that he was overstepping boundaries. It made him feel like he was soothing a child, just waiting to cry but hesitantly waiting for comfort from an adult.

The black eyes intently looked at Yuri, the lips tightly pressed together. Those eyes were so beautiful that Yuri couldn’t look away but only smiled gently and softly patted the boy’s head.

‘Yes, truly beautiful. Truly lovely.’

And finally.

“Water is dripping. It’s getting me all wet.”

A voice full of discontent echoed, like a tired sigh softly escaping.

However, even when responding with a calm: “Is that so?”, Yuri still didn’t withdraw his hand. And Ling Xinlu, even though frowning in discomfort, didn’t avoid that hand.

**************

Yuri wondered whether to talk about this with James or not. But that hesitation didn’t last long. If it was just this kind of matter, even if Yuri didn’t say anything, it would soon reach James. Or perhaps, he already knew. Just the fact that he usually called in the morning but was silent today, that possibility wasn’t impossible.

But no matter what, Yuri had a feeling that James might be somewhere pulling his hair and screaming in frustration.

Yuri looked down and rubbed his chin in thought for a moment, but ultimately decided not to pick up the phone. In situations like this, calling hastily often only made him bear the responsibility for others—a lesson Yuri had witnessed and experienced more than once.

Moreover, what concerned Yuri more in this situation wasn’t James. What he truly pondered was whether to inform someone else about this.

“Why have you been sitting in front of the phone for so long?”

A voice rang out followed by the sound of the door opening and footsteps approaching.

Yuri, still in the posture of crossing his arms and rubbing his chin in thought, only slightly turned his head in that direction. Ling Xinlu had just stepped out, wearing only a bathrobe, his wet hair wiped with a towel. He had removed the eye patch because it felt cumbersome. The steps that were limping until last week had now become completely normal, making him look no different from any other ordinary person when standing in front of him.

No one would be able to tell if not mentioned, that one of those sparkling black eyes, like a fox’s, no longer functioned completely normally. Occasionally, when holding objects, it seemed like he slowed down a bit, perhaps due to difficulty in accurately estimating distances.

The mischievous eyes sparkled as if hiding something, the radiant and lovely face, the gentle yet calm demeanor—all were no different from before he was injured. Sometimes, he even seemed more stable than before. To the extent that now, no one needed to look at him with worried eyes anymore.

‘He’ll be fine.’

Yuri thought so too.

Although occasionally, when someone mentioned related matters, he still had moments of frozen expression. However, it seemed he had accepted and understood his reality, thus regaining more stability than before.

“……”

But even so, there were still things Yuri didn’t want to mention to him, like now.

“Are you waiting for a call from someone? Then why not call first? Unless you’re playing tug-of-war with your lover and deliberately not calling.”

“Tug-of-war…… I don’t do such things.”

“Do you have a lover?”

In Xinlu’s tone, there was a bit of mockery mixed in.

“I don’t expect Mr. Gable to play tug-of-war, just with your personality.” – Xinlu casually threw out the words, then brushed past Yuri and opened the minibar, taking out a bottle of lemon water. In that statement, there was also a bit of hidden mockery.

Yuri felt a bit uncomfortable, like being seen as someone incapable of love. But thinking carefully, what Xinlu said wasn’t wrong, and moreover, this topic was completely unrelated to what he was concerned about. That made him feel somewhat relieved.

“Speaking of which, while you were showering, Ling Tangyun contacted. He said he would come to Germany next week.”

“Eldest brother? What’s he coming here for? If it’s because of me, tell him not to come. It’s too troublesome.”

Xinlu sat down, then dropped himself onto the sofa tiredly. He took a sip of lemonade, absentmindedly sweeping his eyes towards the window. Then, as if talking to himself, he mumbled: “Anyway, I won’t be in Germany next week.” Yuri looked at him with suspicion.

Xinlu’s condition had almost fully recovered, although he still had to go to the hospital. His eyes might need to go to a rehabilitation center for a long time – or perhaps a very long time – but other than that, just a few more hospital visits and he wouldn’t need to go back anymore. However……

“Where are you planning to go?”

Yuri turned around, looked straight at Xinlu, and asked. Whether he returned to China, went to Seringe, or anywhere else, with his health almost fully recovered, there was no reason to stop him. However, the fact that he mentioned this at the current time made Yuri feel uneasy. Xinlu met Yuri’s straightforward gaze, and then a smile gradually appeared on his lips. Those mischievous lips slightly curled with a hint of malice.

“Why? Because that guy has returned to Germany, so I have to leave?”

Hearing those words filled with sarcasm, Yuri didn’t respond but remained silent.

“…….”

Yuri was silent, unable to say anything for a moment, and opposite him, Xinlu looked at him with amusement, his eyes seemingly wanting to explore every corner of his emotions. His eyes held a bit of sarcasm, as if blaming him for not saying something.

‘Does he know?’

Yuri had received news about Riegrow returning to Germany late last night. More precisely, it was news about his preparation to return. He had booked a flight from Dar es Salaam to Frankfurt. And a few hours later, Yuri also found out who had gone to the airport to pick up Riegrow.

“What are you looking at? I have my own sources too. I heard there’s also a summons from the Private Task Force of T&R.”

“…… I see.”

“But that’s all. If there’s any more useful information, share it with me a bit.”

“……”

Yuri turned his back completely to the phone. He had nothing more to do with it.

There was nothing left to hide or avoid. Ling Xinlu clearly knew everything he needed to know. As for James, there was no need to discuss, as he surely also knew everything.

After locating Jeong Taeui, Riegrow immediately returned to Germany without hesitation. Moreover, he contacted his old teammates, a group that now was just a painful memory from T&R’s past.

Anyone knowledgeable about them and with some sense knew what that meant: No matter how they acted, disaster would soon strike.

“Poor Mr. Miller.” – Ling Xinlu mumbled with a sigh as if he truly felt sorry. Even Yuri nodded in agreement, but he still didn’t take his eyes off Xinlu’s face. He smiled calmly, showing no signs of being too emotional or unstable, but Yuri still watched intently, as if trying to grasp something deeper.

Seeing Yuri intently observing him, Ling Xinlu gave a faint smile.

“It’s like using a soft brush to gently sweep across my face, as if checking if there’s any dust left.”

“If that offends you, then I apologize.”

“Not at all. It’s better than I thought. Mr. Gable also looked at me like that more than once or twice.”

Xinlu waved his hand slightly to show it was okay, then continued drinking lemonade. A short silence passed. Only the sound of him calmly and steadily sipping broke the silence. Yuri couldn’t guess what he was thinking. But now, looking at Xinlu, seeing that his reasoning seemed no longer easily swayed as before, Yuri felt somewhat reassured.

“Is your wound okay?”

Ling Xinlu, deep in thought and sipping lemonade, suddenly asked. Yuri raised his eyebrows slightly, then quickly shook his head.

“It’s fine.”

Even if it left a scar, it was hidden in his hair, no one could see it. Outwardly, Yuri looked completely normal, with no signs of injury. Only occasionally, when he unconsciously ran his hand through his hair, he would accidentally touch the wound and feel pain, but that was all.

“Hmm, is that so.” – Ling Xinlu said, placing the empty lemon water bottle on the table. A small *Clink* sounded as the bottle touched the table surface.

He adjusted his posture, sat up straight, placed his interlocked hands on his knees, and looked directly at Yuri. Since Yuri had been sitting straight from the beginning, they were face to face. It seemed Yuri had anticipated what he was about to say.

“Waiting until you are fully recovered before leaving would be the right thing to do, but I don’t have enough time for that.”

‘Ah, just as I thought.’

Yuri nodded without saying anything, as if to show understanding, and also to indicate that it was okay, not to worry.

Seeing Yuri like that, the corners of Xinlu’s eyes slightly curved up, revealing a fleeting smile. When he continued speaking, his voice seemed a bit softer.

“Please check the flight to Dar es Salaam for the day after tomorrow for me. I have to pick up  Taei-hyung.”

Xinlu added: “No need for medicine”, which made Yuri smile bitterly. He nodded slowly.

“I will check. Are you going alone?”

“My family will send someone to assist. I will meet them in Dar es Salaam.”

“Then there’s no need to worry about booking separate accommodation.” – Yuri mumbled as if talking to himself. And as if suddenly remembering something, Ling Xinlu softly exclaimed: “Ah”, then continued.

“I will personally inform my brother that he doesn’t need to stay to protect me anymore, so don’t worry……Thank you for all your hard work during this time.”

Xinlu politely bowed in a formal manner.

For the first and also the last time, he sincerely expressed his gratitude to Yuri. Regardless of the grievances, dissatisfaction, or bitter memories he once held about him, the gratitude remained.

In the moment of receiving that thanks, Yuri understood that it was time for them to part ways. Not too soon, not too late, this was the right time to end. A farewell that didn’t bear a terrible appearance, but was strangely peaceful and gentle.

It was fortunate not to leave only bad memories.

Yuri also bowed in response to him. He put all his sincerity into the brief reply: “I should be the one thanking you.”

Both remained silent for a moment. In that brief but warm silence, they seemed to quietly reminisce about the time they had spent together.

For Ling Xinlu, it was the harshest and most difficult period of his life. As for Yuri, that time – in some way – would never fade from his memory.

Finally, Yuri stood up from his seat.

“The day after tomorrow, I will find a flight that arrives in the evening local time, is that okay?”

The day after tomorrow, the remaining time is not much. But not only do they need to book a plane ticket, there are many things to do to close the chapter of their time in this place.

“Ah……”

At that moment, Ling Xinlu slightly opened his mouth as if wanting to say something. Yuri was about to turn around when he suddenly looked at him, confused. He patiently waited, calmly directing his gaze at Xinlu. But after a few seconds of silently looking back at Yuri, he slowly shook his head without saying anything further.

“Nothing. Please take care of it.”

Ling Xinlu smiled brightly, gently waving his hand. Yuri looked at him for a long moment, then slightly nodded. He put all his sincerity into his final farewell:

“Good luck.”

It was a peaceful and quiet ending.