Under The Skin: Moving On

Shen Yi

That night, the entire team prepare a feast in the meeting room to celebrate the closure of Captain Lei's case as well as the M's murder and the fall of one of the most vicious men in the entire country. For their job well done the superiors highly praised them and they were promised a substantial bonus at the end of the year, which only added to the happy environment.

This time Shen Yi sat by Du Cheng in the long table of the meeting room, instead of in front of him like he usually do when Du Cheng was seated and try to drink as little as he could, because it was now well known that he had little tolerance to alcohol, but giving the occasion he could not refuse the many cheers that were offer in Captain Lei's honor, as well as for the justice done to the rescue women that now had seen their nightmare end.

Secretly he was also cheering for his own ending nightmare. His life had change in the very moment that Du Cheng had told him that his paintings kills and ever since he had worked hard to prove the man he could save lives too. It took him seven long years to work directly with Du Cheng and months of really hard work to gain his trust instead of his hatred. However, he was now living in bliss after so many years in his personal hell and he was loving this new chapter in his life.

He loved his relationship with Du Cheng, their mutual trust and understanding after clearing up their mess and he felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders, even when deep inside he would have hoped for something more. Ah yeah... Shen Yi had obsessed with Du Cheng for years now, because he could not forget the way Du Cheng had look at him with his heart exposed when he asked so desperately for him to draw the face of the woman that had asked him to paint Captain Lei as an adult.

Back then he had no idea of what that painting will do to him, to Du Cheng and the Beijiang Police Sub-Bureau in general. A good man that risked his life to save those of others was killed because of his work, because he was too full of himself as a raising artist, because he never expected that his talent could be used in such a twisted way, because he didn't suspect that the woman was a criminal and he didn't care about the request, nor think on the consequences.

He lived in deep guilt for seven years and the source of that guilt was Du Cheng. He owed him too much, not only because it was thanks to him that Captain Lei was killed, but also because he could not draw the woman who ask for it, so the police at least could have a lead to find the elusive killer. So, giving something back to Du Cheng became his new north, even when he knew the police was avoiding putting them together, as Du Cheng had make clear he hated him after his interrogation.

However, when you wish for something hard enough and give it your all, eventually it will lead you where you want. Now, he was sat by Du Cheng, as his friend... and that was good enough, as he could not ask for more or risk losing everything he had gained so far.

It was not like Du Cheng had the same feelings as him... and he mean romantic feelings he had develop over the years he obsessed with the other man. He was not stupid, he knew Du Cheng cared for him yes, but not the same way and there was nothing he could do about it. At least, he got his friendship and he could even tease him from time to time... it was more than he ever expected and he was fine with them just been friends.

"Shen Yi... are you drunk? You look space out." Du Cheng ask him, taking him out of his thoughts. He smiled slightly and look at Du Cheng's dark eyes.

"Not really... I'm just a bit tired." Shen Yi answer.

"Oh... well, now that I think about it... it's quite late, close to midnight already." Du Cheng said as he looked at his watch.

"Alright guys, let's call it off for tonight... go home, I will take Shen Yi with me... just be careful on the road..." Du Cheng said as he stood and feeling a bit dizzy, Shen Yi follow his example, saying his goodbyes to the others as they protested for staying a for a bit longer.

"Hey! Tomorrow we have to work, so have some rest... I'm warning you, there will be no slaking off tomorrow." Du Cheng said as he pointed as his merry team and Shen Yi smiled. They were all a good team and he liked to be part of it very much.

"Let's go Shen Yi... you will probably fall asleep on the road anyway." Du Cheng told him and Shen Yi sighed, because what he said was nothing but the truth. Car motion make him sleepy, thus he follow Du Cheng all the way toward the black Jeep in silence. Simply admiring his partner back and the way he moved with confident steps, so in sync with his personality.

"Get on, you really drink more than you can handle. Your face is all red." Du Cheng said and he looked away for a moment. Perhaps he was too tired and a bit drunk after all.

The next thing Shen Yi knew, Du Cheng was half-bearing his weight out of the car, putting an arm around his waist and holding his arm on Du Cheng's shoulder, while trying to get him to walk straight.

"Du Cheng..." He whisper, while his head spin a bit and he felt like throwing up for a second.

"You are definitely drunker than I thought. Just how many beers you drink? Can you make it to your door? Despite you, been so short, you actually weight more than you look."

"Even if I am short I'm still a man..."

"Of course, a cute one at that."

"I'm not cute."

"All the women in our Bureau said so. Even Fei go as far as to say you are the finest men we got."

"She said the same to you too."

"After you reject her blind date and turn it to me."

"I wasn't available."

"Me neither, I hate blind dates, yet I have to go to that fiasco because of you."

"Sorry... I was only teasing you back... you set me up first."

"Never mind, just hold on me and I will let you down on a couch in no time. Your stumbling is getting forever to reach the door. I'm basically dragging you." Du Cheng said as he bend to take all of Shen Yi's weight on both of his arms.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Shen Yi protest as he grabbed Du Cheng's shoulders with both of his arms to prevent a nasty fall in the middle of the dark street.

"Carrying you home, what else?"

"I can walk on my own, let me down." Shen Yi repeated as his heart try his best to get up his throat and not exactly in fear.

"Get your keys, my hands are busy right now." Du Cheng ignored him.

"Du Cheng!"

"Stop yelling or you will wake up the neighbors. Get the keys..." Du Cheng insisted, so Shen Yi nervously look into his pocket to retrieve the keys, hoping that Du Cheng could not hear his heart beating out of control inside his chest.

Even after so many months of working together, Du Cheng was still unpredictable, sometimes making him wonder if he also felt something else... Still, he was an occasional teaser, so he should not be surprised by now, yet when he introduced the key into the lock and turn it to open it, he did it with a trembling hand.

The lights were off, but he knew where the switch was and he was already at the right high, so he simply turn them on as Du Cheng walked in pass it.

"Where is the couch? All I see is an art disaster." Du Cheng said as he looked around. Shen Yi had turned the living room into his personal studio, so of course, there were art works and all kind of art materials all over the place right from the entrance.

"I don't have any... only my bed and a chair." Which was the only things he needed.

"Then the bed it is."

"Wait, just let me down now..."

"No can do, I do the full service when offered. Where to?"

"Come on Du Cheng..."

"Where?" The man repeated, obviously enjoying his discomfort, so he pointed at a door at his left and Du Cheng walked toward it. Shen Yi open it again for both of them to get in and after Du Cheng saw it, he walked forward to place Shen Yi's warm body over it.

He did it as gently as he could, then try to move away, but was stopped by Shen Yi's arms, still wrapping his shoulders. Du Cheng looked down and stared at those bewitching gentle eyes and saw a hint of desire on them. He had seen that gaze before, but he had never said a thing, thinking he was reading it wrong, because Shen Yi only let his guard down when he was very tired or amused. The rest of the time Shen Yi restrained himself, perhaps fearing their relationship will snap back to what it was at the start, which Du Cheng will prevent from happening at all costs.

Shen Yi was by all means a handsome man, but what fascinate Du Cheng about him was not the way he looks, but the way his mind worked, so complex and entrancing, not to mention genius, it was quite alluring. In fact, it was so alluring that right at that moment, as Shen Yi held him close, he was quite tempted to kiss him... Shen Yi perhaps even expected it as he closed his eyes, yet the last thing Du Cheng wanted was to take advantage of a half-drunk man. He could do better than that, so he simply pull himself off Shen Yi's hold and stood up.

"There, safe and sound... aren't I such a knight in shining armor?" Du Cheng asked as he stared at Shen Yi, who was now feeling the heat on his face, opening his eyes to stare back.

"I'm not a princess."

"I never say so... but you are definitely cute." Du Cheng teased more and Shen Yi took his pillow and throw it at him.

"Get out!" Of course, Du Cheng avoided the pillow easily as he laughed and turned to get out of Shen Yi's bedroom. As he did, he notice something odd just as he walked out of the room.

Before, he had been too busy carrying Shen Yi that he had not pay attention to Shen Yi's mess, but now that he could move freely, he notice that there was a small painting that resemble Shen Yi that had been tear up with what looked like a knife.

He stood there for a moment as he try to figure out if Shen Yi's mind was still mess up and he needed to be more careful with him. It scare the hell out of him when he acted recklessly, to a point he try everything in his power to be around Shen Yi for most of the days, just to make sure he will be out of troubles. However, perhaps he had overlooked something... he had believed that after closing the case of Captain Lei, Shen Yi was happier and their relationship had grown closer...

"Du Cheng?" Shen Yi's deep voice coming from his back startle him for a moment, but he turned to look at the man at the border of the still open door and try to see if he could find any trace of discomfort on him.

"Shen Yi, if there is something still bothering you, please tell me. We are buddies now, right?" Du Cheng asked boldly as he stared at his partner.

"What do you mean? There is nothing wrong..." Shen Yi told him as he frowned.

"Then that tear up in your painting is just art?" Du Cheng asked as he pointed at what he was referring to and in the very moment he saw Shen Yi's surprised expression as he looked pass him, he knew that it was not his doing.

"It wasn't me..." Shen Yi whisper as he once again stumble as he try to reach the painting, but lost his balance half way and end up back into Du Cheng's strong arms.

"If it wasn't you, then someone just break in." Du Cheng said as he looked around for any sign of burglary, but Shen Yi living room was normally messy from the start. Still... ensuring Shen Yi's safety was something that will overlap everything else.

"Go back to the room, I will have a look around."

"Wait no..."

"Shen Yi, this is serious, go back, you are in no condition to even walk properly." Du Cheng insisted.

"Apart from my room there is only the bathroom... there is no one else here now..."

"Shen Yi..."

"Xiaoxuan the cat is there... if there was someone else here, it would have hide." Shen Yi pointed at the white cat, staring at them from a corner.

"Do you have cameras here?"

"No."

"Aren't you a cop? Why don't you have a security system installed?"

"I like my privacy."

"You are often a target. Stay here, I will still make sure there is no one else lurking in the darkness." Du Cheng insisted as he let go of Shen Yi and walked toward the remained door and have a look inside, finding no one.

Shen Yi's head now throbbed with pain and he stumble a bit more until he reached the chair and sat down to look at the damaged painting.

For the border of the lines, he could tell it was half cut and half ripped, showing the painting that had been cover years ago, when his state of mind was the darkest. He had even forgot that he had cover that side of him long ago, which only make him wonder how the intruder found it.

As far as he could see there was nothing out of place, nothing missing or damage, except that painting... then did it meant that the intruder knew him or had some connection with him in a way? That part of his life was after Captain Lei was killed and he could not deal with his guilt that well... that was before he decided to apply to be a teacher in the police academy and ask for a transfer to the Beijiang Police Sub-Bureau every year.

"Shen Yi, take the cat, we are leaving."

"Huh? Where? Back to the Sub-Bureau? I can make the report from my phone."

"I already did it, you are not staying here, thought. Not until we investigate this... anything missing?" Du Cheng asked as he took pictures of the living room and the cut painting.

"No as far as I can see. There was nothing missing in the bedroom either."

"Then... this is not a simple burglary. I'm sure your paintings worth a lot in the market, since you retire from the artistic painting. It make no sense for someone to break in and left them as they are. So... just one painting and damage at that? A grudge? Someone who was not happy with perhaps your recent accomplishment?"

"So, you think it may be related to a past case?"

"Or your past life before you joined the police... anyway, you will stay with me either way. While you space out I grab some clothes for you to wear, now let's go..."

"Wait, Du Cheng, you just can't decide to..."

"Don't even start making excuses to stay here. Do you really want to stay in a place that's already been broken into while you were away? What if next time, whoever did it, decides to come back when you're sleeping? What if the perpetrator is stalking you right now? The fact that he or she only ripped a single painting seems like a warning to me. Shen Yi, we're leaving, even if I have to drag you back to my place." Du Cheng said as he picked up Shen Yi's bag from the ground, now filled with whatever Du Cheng put inside in his haste.

It was a sound argument that he could not deny it with a simple excuse of fearing to stay alone with him in a more intimate space. Even more so when his body and mind were not working properly for him to resist Du Cheng's urgency to take him out and at the end he found himself once again falling asleep on the road and waking up a few hours later in a bed that was not his own and held by the man that had so fully stole his heart.

AN: I'm not that good at detective stories, but I will give it a try. Hope someone like this and thanks for reading. Slow updated, thought. Take care.

For my dear H, because I know that if you ever watch this series, you will love Shen Yi as much as I do. Thank you for all your support. 💖💖