At some point on the way to Wenjie's apartment, the student fell asleep. His eyelids twitched slightly, as if he was dreaming. Xiao Dao hoped, that he could at least get some rest here in the car. He deserved a restful sleep. On the way, Ding Wei caught himself several times, casting furtive glances at his passenger. In the light of the street lamps, which periodically grazed the younger man's face, he still looked pale and infinitely fragile. Under other circumstances, he would have teased him, but after everything that had happened he no longer felt any urge to do so. 

The traffic light turned green. He drove on until the destination came into his field of vision. He then slowed down. There was plenty of parking for him along the wall, which surrounded the buildings. He parked his car near the courtyard entrance. Getting out, he made as little noise as possible so as not to wake his friend. The latter actually continued to sleep, only muttering something unintelligible as Xiao Dao unfastened his seat belt and gave him a piggyback ride. Wenjie's arms hung over his shoulders. This did not bother Ding Wei. 

It was more problematic to keep him on his back on the one hand and to lock the car on the other. With a light kick against the door, he pushed it shut. Then he fiddled with the bunch of keys, he held between his fingers and pressed the button that activated the automatic system. A metallic cracking sound was heard. Satisfied with this, Xiao Dao made his way to Wenjie's apartment. 

On the way, he kept an eye on the surroundings as a precaution. One could never be too careful. As his father used to say? Better safe, than sorry. Who knew if Xu Zhengqing was still alive? Maybe he even possessed a duplicate key. The thought sent an icy shiver down his spine. What if Wenjie hadn't imagined the visitor? What if it wasn't a post-traumatic whatever it could be called? Halfway up, he stopped and looked down the spiral staircase. Should he turn around? Let Wenjie sleep in the car? Or just take him to his father's place? Was the apartment really safe? 

"Mmm....," the student mumbled in his sleep. 

Ding Wei sighed and continued his way upstairs. Now, he was already here. If Xu Zhengqing had been here, he certainly wouldn't stop by a second time. In case, he did try, Xiao Dao would take precautions. With a grim face, he walked down the hall until he arrived at Wenjie's apartment door. There, he noticed nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was quiet. Apparently, no one had tampered with the door while they were away. Carefully, he put his friend down on the floor. Then he knelt beside him and rummaged through his pockets for the front door key. Again Wenjie's eyelids twitched, but he slept on. 

Careful not to make any loud noises, Ding Wei opened the door. It was dark inside, so his first action was to turn on the light. That way he felt better right away. For he saw no uninvited guests. The windows were closed, the curtains drawn. He was about to carry Wenjie inside when the younger man stirred. Sleepily, he rubbed his eyes and got up. Immediately Xiao Dao rushed over to support him. His friend pushed his helping hand away.

"I can manage on my own," he muttered. 

The question was probably not so much whether that was true, but how he was getting along. Concerned, Ding Wei watched his friend prop himself up against the dresser and sit down on the stool next to it. Fatigue was written all over his face. But that did not stop him from forcing himself to stay awake. Xiao Dao shook his head before closing the door behind him and locking it twice. His gaze wandered to the dresser, then to Wenjie, and back again. 

Finally, he decided to search the apartment for uninvited guests and check the windows. Cool night air entered the room. Along the outer walls, on the narrow extension, he saw no one. Down in the courtyard and across the street, everything remained quiet. Relieved, he closed the windows again and drew the curtains. 

Wenjie was still squatting beside the dresser, staring ahead. 

"You're almost falling asleep. You should sleep." 

Slowly, the younger man lifted his gaze. Exhaustion was reflected in it. "I still have work to do." He propped himself against the wall with one hand and stood up. On wobbly legs, he shuffled to the table. 

Ding Wei couldn't help laughing. However, the fact that Wenjie reacted with complete indifference ruined his fun. To make sure, they were really alone, he looked into the bathroom. No one was here. Wenjie sat at the table for less than two minutes before his body toppled forward and his head came to rest on the tabletop. Xiao Dao had already seen this coming. 

This time the younger man did not resist as he grabbed him under the arms, dragged him off the chair and took him to the bed. If anyone was going to pull an all-nighter here, it was himself. At least that was the plan. His friend really seemed to be out of his mind or to have other ideas. For he clung to him as Ding Wei laid him on the bed. 

"Let go. I'll keep watch." Shaking him off would not be difficult. But Xiao Dao was reluctant to be rough with him.

"I said you could have my bed." Wenjie tugged at his arms. 

"You need the sleep more urgently." Carefully, he released his grip. His friend let go, but continued to reach out to him. Indecisive, Ding Wei remained standing at the edge of the bed. He was tired, true enough. But he doubted, that sharing the bed with Wenjie was beneficial to the younger's mental health. Not that he would mind. The way the younger man lay there, it triggered something in him, the same feeling he had back in the basement. Oh, damn. He ruffled his hair before walking over to the main light switch. A moment later, the room was bathed in dim light. 

"Come back here. I need to test something," Wenjie's broken voice reached his ear. 

As if under hypnosis, his feet carried him to the bed. Thoughtfully, he looked at the silhouette of his friend. He guessed what the younger man was up to. "I don't think this is a good idea," he said.

"I need to know how my body reacts when we share the bed. " Thus, he obviously believed, he could find out what Xu Zhengqing had done that night. 

"Are you sure you want to do that? It might make your condition worse. I'm not a therapist."

"You're the only one I can talk to about it. You were there."

Xiao Dao swallowed. Then he pushed the air out of his lungs with a deep sigh. "I warned you!" 

Wenjie reached out his hands to him again. With a shake of his head, Ding Wei lay down in bed with him. 

"Shock therapy," he muttered more to himself. He was still doubtful about the way, a therapist might evaluate this way of dealing with Wenjie's trauma. And yet he did it, because he wanted to be a good friend to him and the student obviously needed someone to be there for him now. Possibly, there was more behind this request, a hidden hint to accept help as long as he decided in which form. 

to be continued...