Conan's Distillery: A Semi-Workaholic's Slacking-Off Life

Chapter 118 * A Heartwarming Little Interlude at the Safe House (Eve) ~

Once inside the safe house, Bai Yexiu locked the door behind him and, after making sure no one was around, snatched the small box from Zuo Mu's hand and threw it into the trash can. He then stuffed it into the deepest part of the trash bag, not caring about the dirt, to make sure no one from the outside would notice that such a thing was lying in the trash can.

Bai Yexiu looked at the bewildered Zuo Mu again, hesitated, and finally sighed while rubbing his forehead.

Saki felt uneasy. He now clearly realized that he had really done something wrong. Just as he was about to apologize, Bai Yexiu turned to go upstairs and pointed to the door: "Go outside and guard the door. Don't let anyone in before I come back. If anyone comes looking for me, just say I want to be alone. Understand?"

Saki nodded, and Bai Yexiu went upstairs with peace of mind, disappearing from Saki's sight.

The safe house actually has a second floor with several bedrooms. One of the bedroom windows can be opened and jumped down to reach the back of the house.

Bai Yexiu wanted to secretly go out and buy medicine himself, since Rikar was in such a terrible state.

Ricard rarely applies medicine even when he's injured, so he always has some gruesome scars on his body. Not applying medicine makes his wounds heal slowly and he often gets infected and sick. Bai Yexiu had asked him before and learned that Ricard really dislikes the smell of pharmacies and hospitals; he trembles uncontrollably whenever he goes to these places, so he'd rather endure it than go to a hospital or pharmacy.

In the old days, everyone in the group knew about Ricard's problem. So when Ricard was seriously injured and refused to go to the organization's hospital or clinic, everyone would knock him unconscious and carry him to the hospital to have the surgery done before he woke up, and then send him back, so as to take care of his feelings.

When Bai Yexiu was in charge of the British action group, the people in the group were all harmonious and warm, like a cozy family, even though they were all members of an organization that killed without blinking an eye and committed many evils.

Saki opened the door and went outside to stand guard. At that moment, Bai Yexiu jumped out of the second-floor window and landed steadily on the lawn behind the house. Then, he turned his head and saw Vermouth's ample chest filling his vision.

Bai Yexiu took a step back in fright, still shaken: "When did you get here?! I didn't see you upstairs."

“I won’t tell anyone, go ahead.” Vermouth winked at him slyly. “Zaki is with them right now.”

Bai Yexiu hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he didn't say a word and climbed over the wall to leave.

……

At this moment, Saki left the safe house and closed the door behind him. Ricard walked towards him, coughed awkwardly, and leaned against him: "Can you explain what that drug is all about?"

Saki waved his hand hastily and managed to utter a single word: "Misunderstanding."

Upon hearing this, Ricard breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as it's not that Saki is interested in him, that's fine.

"By the way, you were also kicked out, right?" Ricard's usually fierce face looked even somewhat sad and helpless at this moment.

Ricard felt a special closeness to Saki—because the way Saki looked at Bai Yexiu was the kind of look of admiration for a strong person, and Ricard had admired Bai Yexiu in the same way as Saki back then. In fact, his eyes back then were exactly the same as Saki's now. Seeing Saki was like seeing his former self.

In the darkness of night, the two leaned against the door. The moonlight shone on Rikar's face, making his fierce features appear somewhat like a kind old man.

“You haven’t been with Lord Jundu for long, have you? But don’t be discouraged. He’s always been sharp-tongued but kind-hearted. He’s actually very good to us all behind our backs,” Ricard said softly to Saki before waiting for a reply. The two chatted like close friends under the moonlight.

“Actually, I think it’s cute how adults secretly care about us and keep it to themselves.” Nicholas’s gentle voice came from the side. It turned out that he had also leaned against the other side of Saki without anyone noticing.

“Nicholas, if he heard you say that adults are cute, he’ll skin you alive.” Ricard glanced at Nicholas.

"Then you should worry about the wound on your leg. It's only two centimeters long, but it cut into the flesh. Is it really okay to just leave it like this?" Nicholas's tone revealed a hint of concern.

“I’m not going to places like hospitals or clinics. The medicine in the first-aid kit at the safe house is all expired. I’ll just leave it on myself.” Ricard looked haggard and wanted to light a cigarette, but considering Saki’s presence, he put the cigarette back.

“Ricard, I know what you’re expecting.” Nicholas shook his head at him as if he knew everything.

“Nicholas, I remember you were quite introverted, weren’t you? What’s wrong with you today? And don’t tell me you had no expectations.” Ricard said in a deep voice as if he had been exposed.

Saki, caught in the middle of them, was completely bewildered and couldn't help but ask, "Expecting? Expecting what?"

Nicholas gave a somewhat shy smile upon hearing this: "To be honest, every time we get injured, we really look forward to the medicine that Lord Jundu secretly buys for us."

Saki seemed to be deep in thought.

Ricard and Nicholas chuckled in unison.

After laughing, Ricard looked up at the high-hanging moon, looking somewhat weary: "Since Lord Jundu was transferred, we've rarely had the chance to chat like this."

“When I finish my tasks, you’re either angry or angry, and I can’t talk to you…” Nicholas’s words suddenly stopped—he seemed to have thought of something and froze.

Ricard also stopped; Nicholas's words gave him some inspiration.

"Wait, you're not usually angry with Kognam, are you?" Nicholas turned his head in surprise.

Ricard froze, then nodded blankly.

So, it seems like almost everyone who angers Ricard is Kognan? Kognan actually hates Ricard this much just because of his position as manager? Is that really necessary?

Nicholas is brainstorming.

Just as Ricard was about to think it over, Saki straightened up and opened the door behind him.

"I'll go get you something." Saki said this quickly, opening the door and entering the safe house. Ricard was completely bewildered: Huh? Wasn't Saki kicked out?

In fact, Saki, with his keen hearing, heard the footsteps and knew that Byakuya had returned.

Bai Yexiu, panting, handed two tubes of ointment to Zuomu: "One is for you, and you can give the other to Ricard. Remember, don't reveal my identity! Also..."

Bai Yexiu suddenly paused and said in a deep voice, "Call Nicholas to me and tell him I want to see him. You go and guard the door in a moment, and no one is allowed to disturb my conversation with him."

……