Lima syndrome

After Bai Zhiyan returned to the Bai family, he didn't want to think about anything and just wanted to have a good rest. He had experienced too much in that day.

After reporting to Ji Seung-hoon and Baek Je-young that he was safe, Baek Ji-yeon tried hard to put aside all distracting thoughts in his mind, buried his head in the quilt and forced himself to fall asleep.

But as soon as he closed his eyes, he would see Che Jingcan's slightly red, tearful eyes. The upward-slanting eyes were originally the most bewitching, and they were even more bewitching when he was moved and shed tears.

Bai Zhiyan was extremely confused and tossed and turned for a long time until the second half of the night when he finally fell asleep.

In his dream, he came to a corridor full of mirrors. He looked around and saw his own reflection. Bai Zhiyan began to run away in fear, wanting to escape from this place.

But this space seemed to have no end. No matter how long he ran, the scenery around him remained unchanged.

"anyone there?"

He started shouting.

"Is anyone there?"

But in the empty corridor there was only his lonely figure and the endless echoes.

Bai Zhiyan knew clearly that this was his dream, but he could not control his body or wake up.

With no other choice, Bai Zhiyan had to continue looking for an exit in this corridor filled with his own figure.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, this space full of mirrors finally changed. Bai Zhiyan saw that the end of the corridor seemed to be not far away. In the chaotic darkness, he saw a person squatting on the ground with his knees hugged.

Bai Zhiyan was attracted by an inexplicable force, and the mirrors around him shattered into pieces and remained suspended in the air.

He slowly approached the man in this space filled with floating debris. He couldn't see the man's face clearly, but he had an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

"Hello?"

Bai Zhiyan's light greeting was absorbed by the scattered fragments the moment it was uttered, and in this quiet space he vaguely heard crying.

"Are you crying?"

He couldn't help but approach the boy squatting on the ground. When he walked in front of him, the boy finally looked up at him.

It was a crying face that Bai Zhiyan had seen many times in his life and would never forget.

It’s Cha Kyung-chan.

"W-why are you here?"

Bai Zhiyan felt terrified after seeing clearly that it was Che Jingcan's face. Every time he saw Che Jingcan in his dream, it was definitely because he remembered the scene of being bullied by him before.

But he had clearly let it go, and Che Jingcan hadn't appeared in his dreams for a long time. Why did he appear today? Was it because of his disturbing confession during the day?

“Jiyan, I missed you so much.”

It was the same words again, exactly the same as what he had said to himself during the day.

Bai Zhiyan frowned and wanted to step back. He knew very well that he was in a dream, but he couldn't find a way to wake up.

As he took light steps, the scene around him suddenly changed, and the fragments of the mirror that were originally still in the air began to glow.

Bai Zhiyan looked at the fragments in panic. Scenes appeared on them, as if they were frozen in photos.

"What, what is this..."

Those fragments seemed to be spiritual and surrounded him. Bai Zhiyan looked carefully and saw the scene of him and Cha Kyung-chan kissing on the Ferris wheel, the scene of their first meal in Apgujeong-dong, and the scene of him being injured on Hallasan and Cha Kyung-chan carrying him down the mountain...

The scenes on these fragments are everything they have ever experienced together.

Che Jingcan stood in front of him and held his face. He was clearly smiling, but when their eyes met, Bai Zhiyan clearly saw the unshakable sadness in his eyes.

"You ask me what these are?"

As he spoke, he gently touched a piece of debris floating between the two of them, and the debris instantly turned into powder.

"Yeah, you don't know."

"These guys are all broken pieces of my heart, pieces of my unrequited love for you."

Bai Zhiyan was so shocked that he couldn't move. He didn't know what words could describe his feelings at the moment. Looking at Che Jingcan's face full of sadness, he couldn't say a word.

"Every piece, every single piece, is made up of my heart shattered after your ruthless rejection."

Che Jingcan's ethereal voice echoed in his mind over and over again.

Ming Zhiyan had had countless nightmares, but none of them could compare to the dream he was in now.

"I……"

Bai Zhiyan pursed his lips and wanted to say something, but before he could say anything, the fragments floating around suddenly began to rotate, and each piece seemed to have a soul and surrounded the two of them.

The light emanating from all around illuminated this chaotic space as if it were daytime. Bai Zhiyan saw that Che Jingcan's face in front of him seemed to be slowly becoming blurred. He couldn't see his current expression clearly, but he couldn't control himself and subconsciously reached out to grab him.

"Cha Kyung-chan!"

Finally, these fragments formed a new mirror, on which was shown the scene of the two people hugging each other tightly.

It was already past noon the next day when Bai Zhiyan opened his eyes. He was awakened by the dream and was covered in cold sweat. He stretched out his slightly trembling hands, and his fingertips seemed to still retain the warmth from when he hugged Che Jingcan.

How could he end up doing that?

After putting his hand down, Bai Zhiyan wondered if he was crazy. Otherwise, why would he do it again and again, even in his dreams, and care about Che Jingcan's feelings.

This is ridiculous!

Bai Zhiyan's panicked heart was hard to calm down. He stumbled into the bathroom, turned on the shower and tried to suppress the uneasy emotions in his heart.

On the other side, after Ji Seung-hoon learned from Baek Ji-yeon what Han Jae-jung said last, he and his men rushed to Myeongdong Cathedral without stopping.

After sealing off the temple, a carpet search began.

Han Jae-ting was not lying. After a whole day of work, they finally found a small USB flash drive under the statue of the Immaculate Conception behind the Basilica.

When Bai Jitai was brought to the interrogation room, he still looked superior and fearless. Even though the evidence of his crimes had been collected by the police, he didn't care at all.

"This USB drive contains evidence of your illegal lending and violent debt collection. President Bai, do you have anything else to say?"

Hearing the interrogator's question, Bai Jitai smiled disdainfully, "You worked so hard and went through so much trouble, and this is all you found?"

"Please don't answer irrelevant questions. Do you have any objections to the content here?"

"I have nothing to say. Call my lawyer over and let him communicate with you."

"Chairman Bai, don't you realize the current situation?" The interrogator frowned as he looked at Bai Jita, who showed no fear at all.

"The records of your previous crimes are all here with us. According to the laws of our Great H Republic, if you have no objection now, all we have left is a trial."

"Oh, is it so?"

Even with that said, Bai Jitai still didn't care. He chuckled and raised his hand to stroke his scarred arm.

Compared to these useless things, what he wanted to know more now was what Bai Zhiyan was doing. Did he think he could get rid of him forever in this way?

"I have nothing to say to you."

His attitude successfully annoyed everyone present. Ji Chengxun looked unhappy, and when his eyes met Bai Jitai's, he clearly saw the provocation in his eyes.

Does he have any other tricks up his sleeve?

He soon found out. When Bai Jitai's lawyer arrived, he calmly took out the diagnosis certificate issued by the hospital from the file bag.

"My client suffers from bipolar disorder and paranoid mental disorder. Can the evidence you have cited prove that my client acted under normal circumstances?"

"You are quibbling!"

The interrogator was young and hot-tempered, and he wanted to punch the lawyer in the face.

"Officer, there has to be evidence for everything, right?"

The lawyer held up the diagnosis, his icy face revealing his confidence in winning.

Chi Chengxun took the medical certificate, which clearly stated that Bai Jitai was indeed suffering from a serious mental illness. He held the certificate tightly, his knuckles turning white.

The situation changed in an instant, and the original evidence lost its effectiveness in the face of this diagnosis.

"If a mentally ill person causes harmful consequences when he is unable to recognize or control his own behavior, and this is confirmed through legal procedures, he shall not bear criminal responsibility, but his family members or guardians shall be ordered to strictly supervise and provide medical treatment; when necessary, the government shall provide compulsory medical treatment."

The lawyer's cold voice sounded again, and Ji Chengxun unconsciously clenched his fists. He knew that this was Bai Jitai's backup plan. Even if he didn't use mental illness to evade arrest, he would have other ways to avoid punishment.

Bai Jitai was in a good mood when he saw Chi Chengxun's livid face. "Prosecutor Chi, you also heard my lawyer's words clearly, right? Should I ask my relatives or guardians to take me home now?"

He smiled and raised his hand to touch the wound on his arm meaningfully, "Now that my guardian is dead, please ask Bai Zhiyan to come and take me home."

"There are still some things that have not been investigated clearly. Don't think about leaving so soon." Chi Chengxun paused, "Besides, I don't think Zhiyan wants you to return to the Bai family."

Chi Chengxun's words successfully irritated Bai Jitai. He narrowed his eyes full of anger and warned him, "You have no say in what Bai Zhiyan thinks."

"But I know him better than you do."

"Chi Seung-hoon!"

Ji Seung-hoon ignored his aggressive answer, had the lawyer sent away, and continued to take Bai Ji-tae back to the detention center.

It was his miscalculation that the situation had developed to this point. They should have thought that with Bai Jitai's treachery and viciousness, he would definitely separate himself from the criminals completely even if it meant losing his reputation.

He lowered his head and pinched his aching temple, picked up the phone and hesitated for a moment, not knowing whether he should tell Bai Zhiyan about this now. This situation was undoubtedly a blow to Bai Zhiyan.

Bai Zhiyan has been in a daze since returning to the Bai family. He dared not even sleep since he had that strange dream. As soon as he closed his eyes, Che Jingcan's tear-stained face would appear in front of him.

No, that wasn't what he wanted.

As long as Bai Jitai is successfully imprisoned, his revenge will be over. He will leave this place as he had decided before and completely forget everything that happened here.

He will start over in a place where no one knows him and no one recognizes him. This is the new life he wants.

After calming down, Bai Zhiyan took out the suitcase that he had brought from the semi-basement to the Bai family and had hardly moved, and began to pack his things.

He did not put in all the things he got from the Bai family. After standing up, he glanced around and finally his eyes were fixed on the bracelet that Yin Meishan gave him at St. Ann's Church.

Thinking of Yoon Mi-seon's loving gaze and gentle smile, Bai Zhiyan's heart tightened, but he still put the bracelet on his hand.

"Ring ring ring——"

At this moment, Bai Zhiyan's cell phone notification sound suddenly rang. He grabbed the phone and saw that it was a message from Chi Chengxun.

But when he saw the content of the message, he wished he could poke his eyes out.

Bai Jitai actually used his history of mental illness to escape legal sanctions! If he could not be convicted, he could not be detained. If there was no new evidence, he would have to be released after 24 hours.

"Bang bang bang-"

Before Bai Zhiyan could recover from the shocking news, a series of strange noises came from the balcony of his room.

After putting away his suitcase, he tiptoed towards the balcony. Just as he slightly opened the door to the balcony, a familiar and dull voice rang out.

"Ji Yan, I'm here."

It’s Che Jingcan again.

Bai Zhiyan didn't know how to describe what was happening in front of him. Che Jingcan had climbed over the balcony of his room once before in order to apologize to him, but why did he do it this time?

"Why did you—"

While he was talking in a daze, Che Jingcan had already raised his hand to hold the balcony door, preventing Bai Zhiyan from closing it.

"If I don't see you again, I'll really go crazy."

His voice was hoarse and unpleasant, his usually well-groomed hair was now disheveled, his eyes were full of red bloodshot, and the dark circles under his eyes showed that he had not had a good rest in the past few days.

"What happened to you?"

Bai Zhiyan, who didn't understand the current situation, didn't understand what his trick was and didn't dare to take the initiative to talk to Che Jingcan easily.

Without the obstruction of the glass door, Che Jingcan took a step forward and walked towards Bai Zhiyan, hugging him tightly in his arms.

He buried his head in Bai Zhiyan's neck, greedily sucking in the scent of his body. Bai Zhiyan struggled a few times, but he couldn't get out of Che Jingcan's arms.

"Let me go first." Bai Zhiyan's voice was a little flustered. "What's the matter?"

Feeling his slight struggle, Che Jingcan hugged him tighter, "No, I will never let go."

Bai Zhiyan's heart was in a mess. He didn't know what happened to Che Jingcan and why he suddenly became like this. Just as he raised his hand to push him away, he heard Che Jingcan's crying voice.

"Ji Yan, you are all I have. My mother passed away. You are all I have now..."

For a moment, Bai Zhiyan's body froze. He couldn't believe what he heard.