Faced with all the cheers asking them to do it, Bright feels a bit cornered.
He doesnât want to publicly reenact the classic scenes of âSpring, the season of new beginnings, has again comeâŚâ in Animal Planet.
However, it seems neither the audience nor the staff are willing to let him go. They donât seem to be worrying about whether after-programs with hot ladies can still go on with the stage busted. Even the Blond seem to be eager, âI think you canât last two hours under my mouth.â
Bright had to release him from his embrace. When he caught him earlier, his hand almost snapped. It is still painful right now.
His eyes sweep across the VIP seats of the audience. When he sees the handsome and cold face among them, light seems to have come out from his eyes.
Under the gazes of everyone, Bright walks towards the trainer who is watching the show from not far away, speaking in a low voice only the two of them can hear, âhey, help me out here?â
This is Bright asking for help for the first time in this world. Not because he is weak, as he canât get out of this even without help. Virginity isnât really something youâd miss anyway. It is because he wants to experiment with the idea of finding allies in this world.
He has sharply observed the showâs respectful attitude towards the trainer. He deduces it must be because contestants, being properties of the show, can be treated as roughly as they can. Though the trainer is a free man independent of them, so he is treated fairly.
As a pitiful little slave, thereâs a limit to how much he can do alone. If an independent third partyâs help is secured, even if they might not be much help, at least he would have a source of information.
Hopkin looks at the man unknowingly busting headfirst into his trap, and feels dissatisfyingly bored.
Yes, bored.
Is he going to win him so easily? With just a little lie? How boring.
Oh well, he doesnât have anything better to do anyway.
Hopkin lifts his chin pridefully, and gives a cursory glance at the person in charge. The latter immediately understands and then keeps blinking at Bright. Someone is sent to take Beauty and Beast on the stage, as well as casualties below it away. Then they rebuilt the stage for the after-program as planned. To liven up the atmosphere, the show even arranged for the lady dancers to participate in a massive orgy after the showâs over to satisfy the contestants.
None of these is of any relevance to Bright whose attention is completely drawn to Hopkin right now.
The expression he caught on the trainer just now makes him deeply unsettled. His mind caught a glimpse of something but seems to have lost it again.
âFollow me,â Hopkin orders coldly. Bright follows after him without being able to dwell on it.
The show has given them a luxurious room. Under the warm lighting, the cool-coloured room didnât seem that unapproachable. The carpet is thick and soft, and Bright can feel himself sink a little when he walks in.
Is this the difference between a free man and a slave?
His resolve to fight for freedom solidifies.
Hopkin goes to the bathroom by himself after they went in without giving any attention to Bright. When heâs out he is shocked to see Bright having discovered a set of bedclothes and has already put them onto the floor.
Hopkin is speechless, ââŚâ
He feels a bit thumped on the inside, and wants to crack open the brain of the slave in front of him to see how itâs all wired up. Though this strong emotion quickly sinks deep into his chest. He has always been this way. Cold-bloodedness is written into the genes of Inner City aristocrats. Not that the slave is worth him any emotional disruption in the first place.
Bright is still probing for the extent to which Hopkin will accept. It seems this potential ally did not feel unhappy from his actions. This meant that he is not interested in his hole nor his pole, great! Bright feels truly relieved. God knows how hard it is to find someone apathetic to all that in this absolutely sexually indulgent world.
He doesnât know that it isnât that he has no desire, but he is just picky. Also, the other person currently doesnât see him as anything but a ball of flour that he can squeeze or pull at his leisure, so why would he get angry at a toy?
The ball of flour goes to the bathroom and returns a wet ball of flour, fit for grilling or baking, being able to handle high temperatures. It will acquire the best taste of having a crispy outer shell and soft inner filling after cooking, like pizza.
Hopkin sits on the sofa, and looks at the interesting man coldly.
He doesnât lie down on the bed because that would mean he approved of the slave sleeping separately. How laughable, he genuinely thought he could make the slave cry before this. Thinking this way, a low air pressure starts emanating from him.
âThat Blond not to your tastes?â Hopkin asks.
Bright wears a bathrobe, and sits on his bedclothes, answering honestly, ânot doing it is because there is no emotional base.â
That love without genuine affection is not love, is what our conservative old fart â Wei Guangzheng â here thought.
Hopkinâs expression is visibly strange. He looks at Bright like a piece of fossil dug out from the ground in research, or like a bizarre creature travelling here from another world. When he confirms that he did mean what he said, he talks to the country bumpkin Bright with a tone one would use to explain common sense like âthe Earth revolves around the Sun.â
âScience has proven that love is an erroneous feeling, it is a word civilising desire invented by humans to stand against it. It is a delusion formed by chemicals in the human brain.â His eyes look filled with pity for the mentally challengedââif he did have such emotion as pity.
Bright, who has not experienced compulsory education here, does not intend to argue with him. Besides, thereâs no way he can win the debate anyway. Also, heâs here to find allies. How his ally viewed love has the least bit to do with him.
âLike faith, some people believe in God, some donât.â
âSo youâre the type to believe in love.â
Bright does not talk further.
Hopkin feels the slave has become interesting again. Heâs already bored of destroying normal physical bodies or minds. It seems far more interesting to rip apart precious souls and beliefs, though it would require him to invest further than this. Though he believes his fruit of labour after this will certainly be very sweet.
To make him believe he has acquired love, then destroy that false love he thought he had. Tear apart his resolution completely, and conquer his soul! Isnât this a wonderful thing?
The unimaginably gorgeous man feels the excitement of a battle. His toes in the slippers curls up. Even the muscles in his lower legs have tensed up.
Now Bright is lowering his head, applying lotions to his hand. Previously it was hurt saving Beauty, and it is still somewhat painful and swelling now. He found the medicine in a drawer in the room. It mentions that it effectively eases muscle cramps. He does not think deeply about where this medicine that is emitting a fragrant smell should be used originally. As the show had very strict control over items like weapons and medicine, he wanted to try this as soon as he saw it.
âNow our cultural festivalâs over, will you be leaving soon?â
Whether he leaves or not is up to him. He wants to see how the show will play with him. If itâs interesting, he would definitely stay and watch. Hopkin says impishly, âI have to wait for the showâs decision.â
Bright nods, showing he has understood, then he says plainly, âdonât know when we can meet each other again.â If you can tell me something about the arrangements of the show then itâll be great.
Hopkin is satisfied that the slave appears to hold goodwill towards his âtrainerâ identity. Besides his appearance, there should be some other factor. Is it not ordering him to bang with the flow, or did he want information from him?
These little tricks of the slave have made the game more interesting. Hopkin takes out a pair of transparent gloves from the drawer, saying, âyour left hand needs rest.â
Right-handed Bright agrees to this act which increases intimacy and trust, letting Hopkinâs gloved hand sliding and touching along his arm. From his deltoid to his biceps; from his elbow to his forearms.
The muscle under his hand is firm and resilient. Its form smooth and appealing. Seemingly tasty whether you fry it or roast it. Hopkin is very satisfied now. He feels the powerful pulse full of living dancing beneath him, then curls his beautiful lips up, saying, âwe will still see each other.â
Authorâs notes: Bright many years later: Canât blame but myself for being blind.