Chapter 45
Gym Club
The whole group is laughing happily in the gym, loudly discussing, wanting to have a one-night stand with Cherry lady boss, saying they could die satisfied. Other guys hope to become the boyfriend of Miss World so that they won't live in vain or waste their lives. Wishing for this and that dream, the perverted patients have all kinds of desires for the goddess of the gym.
Zero doesn't mind; he's still adjusting his gold, practicing hard. The lecherous crowd worships the "girl" as a god. Zero sees all as invisible. The pointy-beaked guy is annoyed because Zero stays separate from the community, looks down on everyone. But whenever Anh Dao comes to the gym, he enthusiastically helps her with everything:
- A guy who doesn't like girls but still flatters them for dresses, not understanding it's a loathsome genre… what!
They all laugh out loud, then go along with the crowd, mocking Zero — handsome with a big potato, but the taste is so salty it burns the throat and dries the neck. What a waste of God's gift. The girls who are always boys-crazy have no desire to ovulate.
Zero is too lazy to react, which makes the pointy-beaked guy angry. He grabs the neck of a burly but unmuscular man with messy hair, a big nose, a long face, and sunken cheeks with dark brown spots. Pale eyebrows droop downward over gloomy and sad eyes. There's nothing noteworthy about him except the look of endurance to the point of depression. The pointy-beaked guy looks at the worthless man being oppressed, but the man still smiles and endures.
- You go buy dried squid, peanuts, and beer to quench our thirst. - Pointy Beak deliberately hits the other's back hard, pushes him away - You must come back in five minutes!
The surrounding gym guys join the bullying:
- Fuck, hurry your mother up, you cane guy!
- I'm thirsty to the point my lips are cracked. Hurry up, you're running like a turtle, woman-guy!
- You come back half a second late, you'll clean the toilet for a week!
- Hurry up, the cane guy, I'm going to xxx your wife now!
The cane quickly runs out of the gym. The whole group chuckles, waiting for food and drinks to be served to their mouths. The cane waits to get the food, his eyes fixed on the clock. His face turns pale as he sees time running out. He hurriedly grabs the food and doesn't even take the change. He runs out of the grocery store frantically. The cane bumping into pedestrians several times, stumbling and almost falling before returning to the club.
He gasps. The bullies are ecstatic, holding up their watches to show him he's half a second late. Pointy beak guy puffs up his chest and grabs the things in the cane's hands. The guy doesn't pay and sweeps the scrubbing tools into the face of the oppressed:
- He likes to smell bad in the toilet, guys!
- Donkeys like to be heavy!
- Stand there and eat shit! You're such a fucking idiot — may your mother fucking die!
A tall handsome man with a scholarly look, amorous lips and eyes, wears a silver necklace, unkempt hair, and six-pack abs showing every sign of hard practice on a muscular body. He lowers his head slightly to adjust his sunglasses, laughs lightly, and talks to pointy beak:
- He comes back half a second late. Leave him alone this time, Beak, as a special pardon on the occasion of the boss's family reunion!
The cane doesn't wait for anyone to speak. He doesn't need to beg for mercy, because the man who resigns himself to fate is already accustomed to being oppressed, quietly carrying tools and doing what he defaults to throughout his life. Pointy Beak shrugs and smirks:
– Don't you know he likes masochism, Nguy Hoang!?
A roar of laughter echoes throughout the gym floor. Nguy Hoang hears Beak calling his name. His eyes, which know how to laugh, half-close and look at Beak with hatred. He hates his own name, hates even those who call him by the name he curses. His nature of getting angry at trivial things is revealed in his sneer.
Zero still doesn't care about things that don't concern him. He waves and calls to a guy with shiny and smooth hair. Shaves both sides. He has a medium build, six-pack abs, tendons coiled around biceps, high cheekbones, and sunken cheeks on a bony face. Thick black spear-like eyebrows plug down into his small, narrow, but sharp eyes.
- Omega, helps "me" stretch my muscles!
The gym crowd imitates Zero's soft, emotional voice. The pointy beak calls out to a guy who looks like an Omega. Zero and Omega practice together by massaging muscles, touching six-packs, pressing thighs and shoulders. The way they give each other gentle looks causes goosebumps; the onlookers' skin prickles, and their lower bodies feel twisted with discomfort, while Beak and his 'friend' simultaneously imitate every move of Zero and Omega with uncanny accuracy. Friends hold their bellies and slap the floor, laughing so hard they choke on saliva.
Nguy Hoang doesn't know yet how to hide his anger for Beak - the guy called his name. The gym group teased and insulted the homosexual couple, giving him a chance to distract them: Nguy Hoang showed his attitude towards Zero. He cast a look that was neither sympathetic nor contemptuous at Zero and Omega.
Zero and Omega ignore everything, the two "shadows" still looked at each other affectionately. After training, leaving behind a group of nauseating mockers, the homosexual couple walk side by side to a place where there are only 'shadows' and no 'figures'.
Beak and a bunch of gym guys swill beer in their mouths, then spit it on the floor, grimace, and curse homosexuals. Beak yelled:
- Where is the cane guy, go clean the floor!
The cane clenches his fist and vents his anger on the wall. Anger dyed his pale face gray like a person with a long-term illness. He tries to adjust his chaotic breathing. When everything returns to normal, he would work like a coolie just to entertain those who enjoy humiliating the underdog. The fitness crowd laughed while playing tricks on the cane, eating cuttlefish, drinking beer, and chewing crispy peanuts. Beak's breath reeks of beer::
- Delicious, temple food is always delicious. Hehe... - He smiled obscenely, watching the girls' standard supermodel measurements on his phone - Good beer, good bait, it would be perfect if there was a genuine armrest like this!
The guys sitting next to him all looked over to see who he was admiring, all laughed like crazy and pushed Beak's head:
- Stop dreaming, daddy!
- Licking the boss's offspring, prostrate to daddy!
- Damnit, if the boss knew you licked face, say farewell to "little brother" forever!
Beak smiled and licked his lips:
- Damn, a bunch of stupid people rioted and threw garbage, I am the most enthusiastic guy to protect the boss's family, I must be rewarded for my merits!
Beak glances at his gang and laughs at them pretending to be upstanding gentlemen:
- You guys also like to splatter cage and still pretend to be noble!
Nguy Hoang tore the squid apart, dipped it in chili sauce and put it in his mouth to chew:
- When will you stop thinking everyone's mind works like your messed-up one?
Beak put the most beautiful picture of the mother and her two daughters close to the opponent's eyes:
- Stop it, daddy, who doesn't like the plump grapefruit on the mistress's sensual body, that guy is the same as Zero!
The guy with messy hair and beard, smacking his mouth:
- Fuck, we're not gay, just not gross like you, dog guy!
The gym crowd laughed so hard their shoulders shook. Beak chuckled and asked:
- So, who do you like?
The messy-haired guy chewed squid and peanuts roughly:
- I like Lan's round, curvy, plump ass, and I want to massage the newly sprouted buds of the Suong! Dreaming of a tiring night with... Ah, forget it…
A bunch of lecherous bastards laugh their heads off:
- Damn, he just said no vulgarity, and then he immediately slapped himself in the mouth.
- But I admit that the princess is delicious, sweet, and cool. Every part is delicious. Redundant parts will provoke an itchy feeling in the eyes. Parts that are lacking ignite and explode like a powder keg. Damn it, I want to explode into pieces with the mistress!
Nguy Hoang gives him a look that says 'don't daydream:
- They are princesses — jade leaves and golden branches, and even the young master of the fashion corporation has to endure humiliation and lose face, so it's not your turn. Don't daydream, so as not to lose fat, losing weight means fail the tournament!
The chattering of a group of drinkers suddenly became silent. Everyone's face was pale, their jaws were stiff. The food and drinks in their mouths fall to the ground. Nguy Hoang bewilderedly looked toward the main entrance - where the drinking buddies were trembling with fear, without blinking. Nguy Hoang is startled and panics to avoid Hero's iceberg face that is chillingly creepy.
A bunch of lewd people were so afraid they shrank back, lowered their heads and dared not cough a word. After torturing mentality subordinate until they were sweating profusely, Hero chuckled to relieve the pressure:
- Just kidding, why are you guys so nervous!
The subordinates still didn't dare to move, Hero half-smiles and pushes up his eyeglasses:
- You guys eat and drink without calling me — I'm deducting one day's salary!
The men see the young master holding two bottles of beer and a bag of food. Hero whistles his favorite tune lightheartedly as he leisurely leaves the gym. Everyone lies on the floor, panting. One guy wipes his sweat. The others place their hands on their chests, listening to the sound of their hearts still beating. Beak is so scared his face turns pale. He raises his lips and exclaims:
- The young master is terrifying… every time he shows that death face, I tremble and almost bite my tongue!
The guy with messy hair holding the beer bottle takes a sip:
- Damn, he's so hot and cold. One day my heart's gonna break!
Nguy Hoang speaks in a reproachful voice:
- Damn, who told you guys to flaunt your lustful nature in the wrong place? A bunch of people died because of "girls" — you better be careful next time!
The fitness crowd looks for the cane to relieve stress. They order him to do this and that, pull down their pants, and they tease him by flicking him in the crotch. After all kinds of insults, a swarm of big fish devour the small ones and invite each other to karaoke with escorts:
- That shop has some really delicious ladies, impeccable service, and unmatched eroticism!
- Delicious! Let's go there to unwind!
The bunch of lechers laugh, and leave together. The cane sweeps and mops the floors until they sparkle. He rubs his hands vigorously, pouring all his sorrow into this unfeeling floor. His eyes are red with resentment as he tries to suppress the weak feelings.
Noticing the familiar figure at the front door, he secretly wipes his tears and smiles gently at the most important person in his life. She looks at him bitterly. They have lived in the same house for many years, and he has always cherished her like a treasure. She has been unable to share the joys and sorrows with her husband.
- I know the gym has always been your lifelong passion. You've wanted to succeed and prove your ability. You've also been afraid that they would tarnish your honor and implicate your wife and children, so you've had to endure humiliation. But I can't bear seeing you suffer both physically and mentally. Set yourself free!
As he speaks, he buries his head in cleaning the floor:
- This place is dangerous. You should go home!
The gym club has been full of nymphomaniac guys. She has looked ordinary, her body not sexy enough to attract lustful eyes. Her only crime has been being the cane's wife — a lackey who has served the crowd that has loved to trample on human dignity to satisfy their bestial urges. The miserable wife has walked away just like she has when visiting her husband in silence. She has had to dodge the bastards who have wanted to play with her just to torture and humiliate her husband.
There have only been lonely people in this cold place. The cane has smiled sadly — a smile of resignation that has long been an inseparable part of his life.
***
Hero and his real friend are boozing and chatting in a private room. The two gossip about everything in the world until the topic shifts to the reunion ceremony. Real friend munches on peanuts, dreaming of calling Hero "uncle" one day:
- If dreams come true, I'll sell my life to your family and die with no regrets!
Hero sneers but says nothing. He puts his feet on the table, leans back in the swivel chair, and takes a long sip of beer. Real friend lifts his lips and raises his eyes, looking at the unpleasant expression:
- You don't seem to like the eldest sister and her daughters?
- You are my true confidant! - Hero smiles - But you're sentimental this time, my friend.
Real friend rolls his eyes, glancing sideways at Hero's half-joking, half-serious manner. He's tired of trying to explore a man so seamless there's not a single crack to slip through. Every time he has explored it, he has feared the dark shadow that has enveloped the man-god. He isn't acting foolishly, letting himself be threatened with losing his soul.
The two guys have clinked glasses, sipped, and chatted happily, not knowing that Zero has been standing outside the door. The bodyguard has come back to retrieve the forgotten items, happened to pass by, and has heard everything. Zero has remained indifferent to things that have nothing to do with him — his lover has been waiting, and he has planned to take advantage of his day off to go on a date all night.
***
The pale yellow sunlight of dawn half-opens through the window frame, splashing on Zero's satisfied face. He gently lets go of his lover's hand, slowly pulls on his pants, and walks to the balcony.
Zero breathes in the fresh air comfortably, slightly opens his eyes to welcome the soft light. The sun dispels the cold morning and crawls along his body with the lingering warmth of his lover's touch.
The warmth spreads again. Zero smiles and places his hand on the cloak draped over his body. His lover hugs him from behind, with his chin gently resting on Zero's shoulder. The couple quietly gaze at the panoramic view of the capital.
Houses connect closely in an endless strip. Along the city stretches a white sandy beach like a snowy carpet. The whisper of the sea gently pushes the sandy shore — the soothing sound hasn't changed for years. The vibrant rhythm of life in this bustling place never fades.
Whenever the melodious song of the sea replaces the alarm clock, everything wakes from a deep sleep and begins a new day. The flow of people rushes back and forth. Everything and everyone appear and disappear in the minds of two people who know only each other.
The pair of lovers gaze indifferently at the passing of life, but when they share a gentle hug, the coldness is warmed by deep feeling. Zero and his lover remain immersed in happiness — until the Halo Illusia rings. The same-sex couple shed their personal emotions and return to their normal lives.