⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️
This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~
[Video+English Subtitle]
[Transcript]
“…Loveland City once again cracked an MLM den, and more than 40 women were successfully rescued…
…it’s all thanks to a ‘student’ who sent a letter to the outside world. We were able to find the MLM den in the first place…”
I looked at the news on the web page, and I went to the comments section below with a click.
-Is there any interview with this ‘student’? I’m curious how she reported the news!
-You can’t interview her now. What if she gets retaliated by a fish that slipped through the net?
-Miss is amazing. She must be a very witty woman!
-Oh, are you kidding me? How can a woman who can be tricked into an MLM scheme has any wit?
Hah!
I slammed down the monitor switch, and instantly the black screen reflected my face. I was biting my lower lip, my eyes full of fear.
The experience of the last few days replayed uncontrollably in my mind, the mentor’s ranting, the monitoring person’s eyes, the students who fell into a frenzy…
Although I only experienced it for two days, if I stayed there for a few more days, I’m afraid that I would also collapse under such high pressure.
MC : …Forget it, it’s already over, there’s no need to think about it again.
I stretched my arms hard, forcing myself to clear my mind and get ready to do something again when the phone rang.
Lucien : Am I bothering you?
The low mellow voice brushed by my ears, and calmed down my pounding heart.
MC : No, I happen to be free.
MC : Anna and the others said that I was fortunate that I survived, and they insisted that I rest at home for two more days before going to the company.
MC : When do you get off work, or shall we go out for dinner later?
Lucien : I took two days off, and I’m already outside the institute.
Lucien rarely asks for leave, so I couldn’t help but be taken aback.
MC : Is there something going on?
Lucien: It’s nothing. I just suddenly want to rest with you.
Lucien : I remember that the hot spring villa you’ve been longing for months has already opened for business in the past few days.
MC : Do you mean the one on the outskirts of town? I’ve been waiting for it for a long time…
Instead of staying at home, maybe I can change my mood somewhere else and wash my worries away with hot springs.
MC : Then wait for me to pack my things. I’ll see you downstairs~
MC : I didn’t expect the buffet dinner of this villa to be more luxurious than what I saw in the promotion!
MC : There’s sashimi, steak, and even a tiny hot pot!
After soaking warm in the hot spring in the afternoon, accompanied by a hearty buffet dinner, the haze that had haunted my heart immediately dissipated.
On the opposite side, Lucien looked at the whole table and showed a hint of a conniving smile.
Lucien: Can you finish all of it?
MC : There is no set mealtime. We can eat slowly~
Passerby A : Huh? Right next to your neighborhood?
While we were talking, the loud voice of the conversation across the table caught my attention.
Passerby B : That’s right! It was suddenly closed that day. Who knew it was a place of pyramid scheme? It hid more than 100 people in it.
Passerby A : I must say that those young girls are too dumb. How can they still be deceived without being wary at all?
The harsh comments made my hand holding the chopsticks tremble, and the meatballs slipped from the tips of the chopsticks.
Lucien : MC?
There was a sigh from across the table.
Passerby B : I must say, they deserve this lesson too… They have hands and feet. Can’t they escape?
MC : No, it’s not….
I stared down at the empty bowl, a sullen breath rushing through my chest, but I couldn’t find the outlet.
Lucien : Open your mouth.
Suddenly, a tender yellow ball was brought to my mouth.
I opened my mouth subconsciously, and only after the tip of my tongue touched a soft spot did I realize what Lucien was feeding me.
MC : ea urshin?(sea urchin?)
Lucien : How does it taste?
Lucien stared at me as usual, but I could see a trace of inquiry and worry in his eyes.
I pursed my lips, swallowed the sea urchin, and looked back at Lucien.
MC : Lucien, I’m okay. I’ve heard these words a lot these days…
MC : Besides, if these few words can defeat me, what kind of media person would I be?
MC : The company has also contacted the case investigation authorities and will begin to work on this topic in a few days.
Lucien : Are you going to do another show on this topic?
MC : Well, I want the public to be more vigilant so that there will be no more victims.
MC : Having said that, we can be regarded as witness this time.
Lucien : I am not a witness, but I am witness’s family member.
He tipped his voice. As I raised the corners of my mouth, I also handed a prawn to him and followed his words.
MC : Anyway, thanks to my witty “family” who could understand my call for help on the phone. Otherwise, it would not have been so easy to get out of trouble.
Lucien : The hint you gave is too obvious to understand.
He paused
Lucien : “My child’s father, I’m on a business trip these days. Don’t forget to pick up Gardy from school.”
Lucien tilted his head slightly and imitated my tone. I giggled, but the scene at that time emerged in my mind.
At that time, I was being monitored by three people on a public phone call. Once Lucien on the opposite side said anything unusual, I would have no chance of escaping.
Fortunately—
On the other end of the phone, Lucien didn’t hesitate and naturally answered.
MC : “What time does Gardy finish school, and what clothes does she wear today? I am afraid that there are too many children, and it will be difficult to find her.”
I also imitated his tone and said the secret code between us. Lucien smiled.
Lucien : “At 5:40, she was wearing the purple bellflower coat. By the way, she was not allowed to eat hamburgers on the way home, don’t pamper her too much.”
While talking, Lucien’s finger was pointing at the table.
Lucien : 540, Purple Bellflower, Burger restaurant.
Lucien : At that time of emergency, you could deliver these messages to me without the people next to you hearing them, which was very smart.
Lucien : The 540 bus stops, and you can see the purple bellflower and fast-food restaurants. So it takes a bit of work to line up, but it is not difficult.
He raised his glass to me.
Lucien : MC, you are much stronger than before.
The glass in our hands gently clinked, but the smile on the corner of my mouth was a little reluctant.
Am I really strong?
If I am really strong, why am I still shaken by the words of others and need Lucien’s affirmation to give me strength?
If you are really strong, you should always be calm like Lucien. Thinking in this way, I swallowed my sigh and wine together.
After dinner, we strolled around the villa in the sunset before returning to Lucien’s room.
An old movie was playing on the TV. Lucien was leaning on the bed, reading a book, and I leaned against his arms, playing with his fingers.
I sighed when I saw that the hero missed the clue left to him by the heroine and wandered around the city like a headless fly.
MC: This movie is too miserable because the male protagonist missed such a crucial clue, the two will be separated from then on…
MC: Luckily, you were not like him at the time. Otherwise I…
Before I finished speaking, Lucien’s fingers that had just relaxed and held me back suddenly tightened.
MC : Are you okay?
Seeing me looking up at him, Lucien lowered his eyes and asked with a smile.
Lucien: What’s wrong?
I was a little confused, but Lucien’s expression was calm, as if his movements just now were just instinctive reactions of his fingers.
My eyes followed his face to the pages of the book he was holding, and I became more puzzled.
MC: I remember…you seem to have read this page half an hour ago, right?
Lucien: I can’t help it. The movie is better than the book.
Lucien: Now that the movie is over, don’t you still plan to go to the orchard outside the villa tomorrow? Go to sleep.
MC: Okay…
Although I felt that Lucien was a little absent-minded, I didn’t say anything, so I rubbed my head against Lucien and got a good night kiss from him.
Lucien turned off the wall lamp, and the whole room was flooded with darkness.
“Miss MC, don’t you want to make a lot of money? as long as you invest, we promise to make you an upstream customer!”
“Xiao Gong said that you are a rich second generation. How can you have no money? Why don’t you stay here for two days and learn more about it? “
“I’m sorry, MC, for bringing you here for an interview, but they won’t let me go if I don’t bring people in.”
“What did you say to this Lucien? You don’t give him our secret, right-”’
MC: ….!
I gasped and opened my eyes with a jolt.
In the room late at night, the incense was light, the quilt on my body was soft, and Lucien’s breathing beside me was steady and long.
I’m still at Hot Springs Villa. It was just a nightmare.
I rolled over and calmed my breath.
No one found out the secret code between Lucien and me, but I was tricked by the expatriate staff and detained…
Being monitored, having controlled sleep time, forced to listen to those lessons ten times, fifty times, a hundred times…
Including the resentful eyes cast at me by those captured “mentors” at the last minute….
Scene after scene lingered in my mind.
I turned again, and the cold sweat behind me felt so sticky that it was hard to sleep.
MC : It’s all over. There’s no need to think about it…
I whispered to myself and was about to turn over again when a hand clasped my waist from behind.
The warm body suddenly approached, and Lucien’s low voice fell on the side of my neck.
Lucien: It seems impossible for you to speak your mind on your initiative, is it?
MC : Hey, how did you wake up… ?!
Before I finished speaking, Lucien had turned me around with his hand.
In the blue-gray night, his sunken pupils refract the dim light outside.
Lucien : I wasn’t sleeping.
Lucien lightly stroked my back. His palm was so warm that my tense nerves slowly relaxed.
Then a kiss fell lightly on my eyebrow, like a feather.
Lucien : [kiss] Are you still afraid?
- ((THEY VOICED THE KISS AAAA, and yes, all kisses after this will be voiced-))
MC: A little…
Lucien: Is it really a little?
MC: Well, maybe more than a little…
As soon as I opened my mouth, a stream of air brushed the tip of my nose, and Lucien seemed to smile. The second kiss fell again, this time in the corner of the eye.
Lucien: [kiss] I think…. not only afraid but also angry?
MC: Yes…
Lucien: Well, what do you mean? [kiss]
The third kiss stopped on my lips, urging me to open my mouth to explain.
MC : Well, it’s just that I am furious.
Lucien: Who are you mad at?
MC: The people who tricked me into meeting the interviewees, the “mentors,” and those who casually blame the victims …
MC: What they said was as if the victims deserved it, and the victims wanted to be brainwashed and ripped off!
Lucien: Did the “victim-blaming” annoy you?
MC: Yes, it’s disgusting and made me angry.
Lucien smiled again, and the fourth kiss seemed to reward my honesty.
Lucien: [kiss] I’m glad you didn’t get mad at me.
MC: How could I be mad at you…
Lucien: But if you keep your thoughts to yourself, I will feel that you are mad with me.
MC: I think wishful thinking will make me look immature.
Lucien: Being candid with each other is the real maturity, isn’t it? So, leave all emotions other than anger to me, okay?
Lucien kissed my face again, and tonight he kissed one after another without any fervent desire, which unexpectedly made me feel at ease.
I couldn’t help pouting and pecking his chin lightly.
MC : In fact, I want to tell you. But I didn’t find the right time…
Lucien : [kiss] Now is the right time.
This time the kiss fell on the forehead and moved slowly down.
Lucien : MC, being strong and fragile do not conflict with each other
Lucien : It is normal to have PTSD. A person may be able to spend a long time processing it, but…
Lucien : If you have someone to accompany you and create a comfortable and safe environment, you don’t need to find the right time, but at any time.
MC : A comfortable and safe environment… Like now?
Lucien : Well, there are others, too.
MC: What else?
Lucien : Like water.
Lucien : The connection between warmth and a sense of security is innate, and when there is a lack of sense of security, it is much more comfortable to soak in hot water.
Lucien : Want to try it?
Lucien turned his head slightly and gestured to the door. I thought about it and sat up.
MC: Then let’s try it.
Lucien pushed up the glass door on the other side of the room, revealing the hot spring outside the door.
The hot spring pool in the suite is much smaller than the afternoon hot spring pool, but it is more private.
MC: Ah-choo!
The sudden sulfur smell mingled with the midnight breeze, and I couldn’t help sneezing.
I was looking for tissues when Lucien had already untied his robe and walked into the bath first.
The hot water covered the back of the feet, followed by the legs and waist.
The sound of water rushing and mist hitting my ears, Lucien’s tall and straight back seemed to glow under the moonlight.
He slowly brought the water to his body, the water submerged his shoulders, and then slid down his smooth muscle lines.
The small mole on the back of the shoulder became more and more conspicuous, making people unable to look away.
He turned his head to look at me, with a sly arc at the end of his eyes and an ambiguous smile on his lips.
Lucien : Aren’t you coming?
I couldn’t tell whether it was his words or the heat of the hot spring that made me want to get closer.
MC: I’m coming
I took his outstretched hand and walked into the hot spring.
The gentle current ran through the narrow gap between each other’s bodies, and his slender fingers crept into my fingers and clasped my palms together.
I also took a dip in the hot spring in the afternoon, but I prefer this small hot spring to the noisy big bath.
It was also at this moment that I truly gave my body and troubles to water and him.
MC: Phew~it’s a lot easier to pour your troubles into the hot spring and take a shower.
Listening to Lucien’s patter of water in the bathroom, I sat in the bedroom, wiping my hair and humming.
Maybe some time later, I may still be affected by that little lingering deep in my memory, but…
I looked at the bathroom, but with Lucien as my pillar, I will not be afraid no matter what I encountered.
Before I knew it, the sound of water in the bathroom had stopped. I shook my half-dry hair, rolled on the bed, and waited for Lucien to come out.
But after I waited for a few minutes, there was no movement inside the door.
MC : Lucien……?
There’s no reply
Efficiency-oriented Professor Xu has never been dawdling on daily trivial matters, which made me even more puzzled. I got up and walked toward the bathroom.
MC : Lucien, have you finished showering?
I reached out and was about to knock on the door when the door opened. A hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the bathroom.
Before I could react, I was slammed against the wall with a bang, but there was no pain in my back.
In the next second, Lucien’s kiss had already landed on my lips.
The slender fingers climbed up along my waist, becoming an obstacle between my back and the cold ceramics.
Ths kiss was different from all the kisses tonight, almost engulfing my breath with apparent demand and take.
I suddenly opened my eyes wide and saw his closed eyes and slightly furrowed brows.
MC : Lu…cien….!
When my teeth were pried open, my throat rolled and swallowed back the syllables that about to come out.
I could feel his heartbeat through the thin bathrobe.
I was shrouded in burning heat, and my head was so dizzy that I couldn’t help slipping.
Lucien’s body also pressed over, and finally, we both fell to the ground together.
The water soaked my back, and Lucien also let go of my lips at this time.
Lucien : [gasping for breath] ….
Lucien held on to me, and he still carefully held my head even in such an eager and impulsive moment.
The ceiling light warmth spilled unrestrainedly. I was stung to squint, and only then did I meet Lucien’s eyes.
I was reflected in his pupils, but in the depths of his pupils, he seemed to be hiding something that he didn’t show to anyone.
MC : You…
I was vaguely aware of something and spoke in a hesitant whisper.
MC : Lucien, do you… have PTSD as well?
MC : Did you have a hard time out there those two days?
MC : What you just said to me, were you using it to reassure yourself as well?
Lucien : …Yes.
He admitted it.
Lucien hugged me in this position, our heartbeat close. His fingers passed through my hair and rubbed it.
Lucien: I don’t know if this counts as PTSD
Lucien’s voice was a little hoarse, and the words were clear.
Lucien : A hundred thousand terrible thoughts flashed through my mind on the way to find you.
Lucien : When I was alone these two days, my mind would uncontrollably replay that incident.
Lucien : Maybe there’s a more efficient way to investigate. Maybe I should have gotten more information on the phone. Perhaps I should have made the call earlier.
His head was buried around my neck, breathing heavily.
Lucien : When I watched that movie tonight, for a moment, my mind even foolishly flashed to what would happen if the same things happened to me.
Lucien : I.. I really don’t like that about me.
There was a rare frustration in his voice that made my fingers tighten, and I almost blurted out.
MC : But such Lucien, I like it very much.
MC : I like Professor Lucien, who get carried away with his thoughts.
Will soaking in the hot spring make people want to get closer?
I can’t help but hug Lucien back and listen to his heartbeat.
He hid his emotions even deeper than I did, and I had to work hard to reach out and touch him.
MC : I know Professor Lucien can handle his state of mind very well.
MC: As you just said, a person can process it through time.
MC: But I want you to recover a little faster and build a comfortable and safe environment for you.
MC: For example… how about kissing you and asking you questions like you just did??
Lucien’s chest trembled against mine, and his low laugh came into my ears.
Lucien: There’s nothing to explain. I’ve just confessed to my family. So, just hold it like this for a while.
MC: Just a hug?
Lucien: Well, it takes only 20 seconds for humans to hug to produce a biological hormone called oxytocin, which reduces stress and produces happiness.
MC: Is it so amazing… So if we have any problems in the future, why don’t we all hug for 20 seconds?
Lucien: Good idea.
We didn’t speak any more, just stayed in this position, exchanging breaths.
Only each other’s heartbeats are apparent in the quiet and humid environment.
The first 20-second hug is on the bathroom floor. The second 20-second hug is on the way back to the bedroom.
I hung on Lucien like a koala and let him take me back to the bed step by step.
MC : It’s a little cold
Lucien helped me take off my half-wet pajamas and wrapped the quilt around me, while the other hand was always tightly clasping my waist.
Lucien : Any more requests, Miss MC?
MC : Of course there is…
I hooked Lucien’s neck and pouted at him like a rascal.
MC : No more questions, just kisses, notes, lots of them.
Lucien smiled vaguely and then used physical action to meet my request.
The third hug …… is much, much longer than 20 seconds.
When I fell into exhaustion and was about to fall asleep, Lucien gave me my second goodnight kiss.
Lucien: [kiss] Good night. I hope your next dream is a good one.
Loveland city has been fine for several days, and the program I have prepared is also in steady progress.
I can already face the collected material with a better state of mind, and Lucien, as a program consultant, has answered many phenomena from a scientific point of view.
The program was divided into several episodes, and after it was broadcast, a wide range of discussions broke out among the public.
一The mental pressure is so terrible that I feel that I should pay attention to it at ordinary times and don’t be coerced and brainwashed.
一Thank you, victims, for being willing to share your experiences. You’re all brave!
一Indeed, the company of family and friends is the best medicine after going through something terrible.
I looked at the comments, thought about it, and rubbed my arm with all my strength. I was about to pack up and get off work when the phone rang.
Staff member : Miss MC, are you still in the company? There is a letter that you need to sign downstairs.
MC: OK, I’ll come down right now.
I turned off the computer, picked up my bag, went downstairs, and took the letter from the postman.
MC: There is no sender. I have never been to the village where the mail was sent either.
I took the thin envelope and looked at it again and again. I didn’t find anything. I was about to open it when a figure came to me.
Lucien : It seems that I am very lucky this time, neither early nor late, just in time for the Great Producer not to work overtime.
MC : Lucien!
I smiled and took his arm. Lucien saw the envelope in my hand.
Lucien : I saw you delving into this letter when I first came in. Is there a problem with it?
MC : It’s just a little confusing… Anyway, we’ll know when we open it.
As I said that, the envelope was already opened in my hand, and there was a photo inside.
Photo of a teenage girl in plain clothes, hugged by her mother, standing together among fields on a spring day, waving and smiling at the camera.
I stared at the girl’s face for a while, thinking to myself.
MC: Ah, I have seen this girl! Right in that MLM den!
The face I remember was full of numbness and despair in that dim room, but now, her smile is so bright.
I let out a sigh of relief and pulled Lucien even tighter.
MC : She’s back with her mom. It’s great.
MC : I really hope that the wounds in everyone’s heart can be healed by those around them. …
Lucien : Yes, because her mother is hugging her.
Lucien : If they can send the letter to you, they must have watched your show.
Lucien: Is this the only photo she sent?
MC: It seems like yes. I’ll see if there are any others..
I turned over the back of the photo and saw that the girl carefully wrote two words stroke by stroke.
‘Thank you.’