Nine Thirty

For everyone, there is a time that means more than any other. For example, 9:30.

It was a nightmare, a curse.

“You bastard, you got him killed!”

His father's slap landed with full force. Cao Pi's cheek burned, but he paid it no mind. He just stared blankly at the sickly green 9:30 on the digital clock.

“Ang ge is dead? Because of me...” The sound of a chainsaw echoed in his ears, and the world went black.

Perhaps it was a coincidence, but the first time he met him was also at 9:30. Did that mean a new beginning?

By a twist of fate, he “chose” Ang ge's former profession: SWAT officer. Unfortunately, he didn't have all the required documents. They hadn't been lost; his father had confiscated them.

“You have no right to do this job!”

His father's cold words still rang in his ears. He slammed the door and left, but didn't have the courage to argue back.

“Get up. Don't blow smoke in here.” The forensic doctor in a white coat took his cigarette and stubbed it out. He was always cool and distant toward him, yet he had harbored those feelings for him for more than ten years. Why keep holding on? Just because of that smile ten years ago.

“I really don't understand what you're so worried about. You're not Cao Ang, so why follow the same path all the way to the bitter end?”

After all these years, that was exactly what he needed to hear.

What was he so worried about? Who knew what would happen at the next 9:30? He would make that decision for himself.