The Same Fate Awaits All Sins Chapter 45

Mind Control – 01

---

The next morning, sunlight seeped through the gap in the curtains, casting a faint glow by the bedside. Lu Zheng opened his eyes in a daze, momentarily unsure of his surroundings, until the weight pressing against his waist forcibly pulled him back to consciousness. Reaching out, he felt a well-toned arm, clearly belonging to a man, and its owner was still fast asleep beside him.

As his senses gradually returned, Lu Zheng felt a dull ache spreading through a certain part of his body, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth in frustration at the person next to him.

What about meeting the parents means it's official? What about promising to follow your husband wherever he goes? Why did you change your mind once you were in bed?

Lu Zheng slapped the arm draped over him. "Hey! Get up!"

Gu Yanta grumbled in protest, rolling over lazily. "Let me sleep a bit longer, it's my day off."

"What day off? Deputy Jiang just got back from Xia County and is treating everyone to a meal today, did you forget?" Lu Zheng snapped irritably. With that, he threw back the covers and got out of bed to start tidying up. Last night had been utter chaos, clothes were scattered all over the floor, and the room was in a complete mess. Even looking at it now, Lu Zheng felt embarrassed on his own behalf.

It was only then that Gu Yanta remembered the dinner. Forcing his eyes open, he mumbled, "What time is it? Just let me sleep a bit longer, baby."

Lu Zheng shuddered at Gu Yanta's sickly sweet tone, his skin breaking out in goosebumps. "Open your damn eyes and see for yourself, it's already ten-thirty!"

"What?!" Gu Yanta shot up from the bed, grabbing the nearest piece of clothing and hastily pulling it on. As he got dressed, he muttered, "Ah, truly, the pleasures of the night are too short, and now the king shall neglect his morning court..."

"Ai, ai! That's my underwear!" Lu Zheng shouted in alarm.

"Then what you're wearing is... ha ha ha..." Gu Yanta looked down at the black triangular garment in his hands, then at what Lu Zheng was wearing, and burst out laughing.

"The hell are you laughing at?!" Lu Zheng's face instantly turned red all the way to his neck. Snatching his underwear back in one swift motion, he bolted into the bathroom.

An hour later, the two finally arrived at a buffet restaurant near the city bureau. The fact that Jiang Ziyu, legendary for his stinginess, was willing to splurge on a buffet that cost over a hundred yuan per person was nothing short of a miracle. Gu Yanta had been convinced they'd be going to a cheap skewer stall instead!

"Skewer stalls aren't cheap these days either," Yu Tiantian commented while piling a hefty portion of steak onto her plate. "Especially with the foodies in our team, give them a casual meal, and they'll easily rack up a bill in the thousands and still not be full. Of course, a buffet is much more cost-effective."

Lu Zheng glanced at the unappetising lump of charred steak on her plate before silently heading to the fruit section. Just as he picked up a bit of fruit salad, a pair of tongs suddenly appeared beside him, dropping a whole row of grilled okra onto his plate.

"Eat more of this, it's good for your kidneys!" Gu Yanta grinned as he retracted his tongs.

"Oh? So you've figured it out? Going to try my kidneys next time?" The more Lu Zheng thought about what happened last night, the angrier he became.

"We can! I'm just worried your body couldn't handle it. Look at you, so skinny, and you don't exercise..." Gu Yanta helped himself to an entire plate of grilled oysters. "Anyway, I burned a lot of energy yesterday, so I have to make up for it today!"

Lu Zheng glared at Gu Yanta before taking a seat, only to notice Jiang Ziyu slumped in his chair with his head hanging down.

"Deputy Jiang, ai, no, I should call you Captain Jiang now," Ma Qin blurted out tactlessly. "You just got promoted and got a pay raise, why do you look so bad?"

"Don't mention it," Jiang Ziyu waved a hand dismissively. "I'd rather come back and be Old Gu's deputy, no, even just a team member would be fine. The work in Xia County is an absolute nightmare!"

"How's it going over there, Old Jiang?" Gu Yanta took a seat next to Jiang Ziyu. "Any progress on the investigation into Captain Li's unexpected death?"

"The drug manufacturing and trafficking rings in Xia County have been operating as tightly woven networks since the 1990s, completely impenetrable. Their influence is vast, and their methods are ruthless. They have zero fear of the police. And to make matters worse, Xia County is seriously understaffed," Jiang Ziyu rubbed his face. "Ai, I'm terrified I'll become the next Captain Li..."

"You've got it rough, Old Jiang. This can't go on forever, submit a report when you get a chance, I'll talk to Director Wu and bring it up with the provincial department," Gu Yanta said grimly. Xia County's situation wasn't new, over the past twenty years, numerous undercover and active-duty officers had lost their lives in the fight against these criminals. This had to be properly reported to the higher-ups, this cycle couldn't continue.

Jiang Ziyu nodded. "Ai, forget it, let's not talk about work any more. It's rare for us to have time off, let's just enjoy the meal. Eat, eat..."

The gathering continued in a lively atmosphere until Yu Tiantian suggested an afternoon PUBG match at Gu Yanta's place. She was a loyal fan of the game, many had quit after a major update, but Yu Tiantian remained fiercely dedicated.

"Fine, but let me make one thing clear in advance, it comes with a garbage cleaning function so that you won't leave a big mess when you leave and make me clean up after your asses!" Gu Yanta agreed readily.

Speaking of messes, Lu Zheng suddenly remembered the disaster zone that was Gu Yanta's apartment that still hadn't been cleaned up! As this group of people eagerly charged towards Gu Yanta's home, Lu Zheng couldn't shake the feeling of being caught in the act of adultery. With so many people around, there was nothing he could do. All he could do was stay silent, his face shifting from pale to crimson in sheer mortification.

No, I have to find a chance to tell Gu Yanta that I can't let them see the state of the place. How will I face anyone in the bureau after that? Lu Zheng hesitated for a moment before standing up. "I... I need to use the bathroom." After saying that, he gave Gu Yanta a hard kick under the table.

Gu Yanta was completely confused, but seeing the look on Lu Zheng's face, Was he supposed to go with him? Ai! There's nothing I can do about my boyfriend being too clingy, my charm is simply irresistible.

"Alright, alright... I'll go too!" Gu Yanta got up.

Watching the two walk off together, Yu Tiantian asked in confusion, "Are they primary school kids? Why do they need to go to the toilet together?"

As an eternally oblivious straight woman, Yu Tiantian had never picked up on the underlying hints. Chen Chen quickly nudged her with his elbow, "Ai, ai... What are you doing, Brother Chen?!"

Chen Chen waggled his eyebrows meaningfully, but Yu Tiantian, still clueless, lowered her voice and asked, "What's wrong? What's going on between Boss and Consultant Lu?"

She thought she was whispering, but in reality, everyone at the table heard her loud and clear. The group collectively sighed at Yu Tiantian's utter lack of awareness.

Jiang Ziyu said earnestly, "Tiantian ah! Don't blame me for saying this, but your marriage prospects are going to be a real problem in the future."

Yu Tiantian was still at a loss. "What do you mean? You bunch of old bachelors, why have you shifted your target of attack to me again?! My marriage matters will be left to Brother Chen in the future. Right, Brother Chen?"

Chen Chen was so startled he waved his hands frantically. "I'm not strong enough, please find someone else!"

Ma Qin couldn't hold back his laughter but immediately clammed up when Yu Tiantian shot him a sharp look. The sudden "hic...." nearly made him drop his plate.

The group burst into laughter...

Meanwhile, Lu Zheng, face burning, pulled Gu Yanta into the bathroom and hissed, "Why did you agree to let them come over this afternoon?"

"What's wrong? Haven't they been wanting to find a place for a PUBG match?" Gu Yanta still didn't get it. "We finally have two days off, and everyone wants to hang out together, as the team leader and the only one with his own place, it's my duty to provide a venue for the team!"

"The mess from last night still hasn't been cleaned up!" Lu Zheng gritted his teeth. "There are dirty clothes all over the floor, the duvet's not folded, and most importantly... the bedsheets... plus, my slippers are still by the door..."

"Oh!" Realisation dawned on Gu Yanta. "So that's what you're worried about! Hahaha... What's the big deal? I'll just make an excuse to buy beer and snacks, head back early, and clean up before they arrive!"

"Mhmm..." Only then did Lu Zheng finally relax.

"Either way, they'll find out sooner or later. Lu Xiaozheng, you have done what adults do, but you still don't dare to admit it?" Gu Yanta teased, watching as Lu Zheng's face turned from red to pale again. He couldn't help but laugh in his heart. Lu Xiaozheng ah, Lu Xiaozheng! You look absolutely adorable when you're embarrassed!

"Admitting it is one thing, but that doesn't mean I want people to see that..." Lu Zheng sighed helplessly. "How am I supposed to keep my reputation after this?"

"Fair point! After all, your image is that of an untouchable flower on a high peak, unlike me, it doesn't matter, I've been shameless for years..." Gu Yanta smiled and said. "Alright, go back and tell them, I'll head home first to tidy up."

Lu Zheng returned to the table, "Captain Gu's gone back first to get some beer and snacks ready for everyone, we'll head over in a bit."

"You two spent all that time in the bathroom just to discuss that?" Chen Chen scoffed. "I thought the boss had eaten too many oysters today..."

Lu Zheng instantly caught the implication behind Chen Chen's words, and his face flushed red all the way to his neck. On any other day, he might have shot back with a snarky remark, but right now, he felt too guilty and didn't know how to answer. He could only glare at Chen Chen, his sharp gaze leaving the other man to interpret the consequences himself.

"Don't misunderstand me, Consultant Lu, I meant the boss ate too many oysters and got an upset stomach!" Chen Chen hurriedly explained.

Lu Zheng dropped into his seat with a huff, thinking, You lot! Not a single one of you is decent!

After the meal, everyone got their things together, ready to storm Gu Yanta's place. Lu Zheng glanced at the time, only half an hour had passed since Gu Yanta left, he wasn't sure if that was enough to get everything sorted.

Lu Zheng decided to stall. "No rush, let's sit a bit longer. Deputy Jiang finally made it back, we should chat a little more."

"Consultant Lu, a brick wall, what do you want to chat about?" Yu Tiantian had already slung her bag over her shoulder and was ready to go. "Besides, we can chat while gaming at the Boss's place, even better!"

"But..." Lu Zheng was still trying to come up with an excuse when Yu Tiantian and Chen Chen each grabbed an arm and hauled him up.

"Come on, Consultant Lu, if you keep stalling like this, I'm going to start suspecting you've got something to hide!" Chen Chen grinned mischievously. "Could it be that while Boss was away, you set your sights on some pretty boy here? Better be careful, I'll report you to Boss!"

"You..." Lu Zheng's attempts to delay were futile. The two of them flanked him on either side and bundled him straight into the car.

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter

Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: February 1, 2025 by Angel

Edited: February 25, 2025 by Angel