BL Ch15

However, he saw Yu Duqiu already turned around and walked to the new bodyguard, showing a smile he had never seen before. The two of them walked away shoulder to shoulder.

Yu Duqiu was about to get into his car when he noticed Lou Baoguo’s unusual expression. Curiously, he asked, “Baoguo, why are you holding back your laughter?”

Lou Baoguo hurriedly denied, “No, I’m not laughing. How could I laugh? I haven’t laughed since I was born!”

“……”

Too lazy to pursue it, Yu Duqiu lightly wrapped his arm around Bai Zhao’s waist. “Little White Wolf, come ride with me to avoid causing any trouble.”

The racecourse was in the suburbs, with picturesque scenery along the way. Lou Baoguo and Zhao Feihua rode in one car, leading the way. The car windows were open, and from time to time, bursts of laughter could be heard in the wind. Zhou Yi, as usual, sat in the front seat of the following car, feeling regretful.

“Everyone seems very happy today. Did you come across something fun outside?”

“Nothing much, they’re just laughing foolishly.” He couldn’t possibly say it was because he revealed a nickname Yu Duqiu hated. He didn’t want to lose his job.

Fortunately, Yu Duqiu didn’t dig deeper and turned his attention to the silent man beside him. “You seem to be in a good mood?”

Bai Zhao, sunbathing in the June heat, unbuttoned his shirt a bit, glancing at him. “How can you tell?”

“My intuition.” Yu Duqiu’s eyes roamed unabashedly over Bai Zhao’s exposed collarbone and muscles. “Want me to tell you some good news?”

“What?”

“Lingya will soon no longer be my fiancée.” Yu Duqiu smiled. “Congratulations, you won’t have to worry about being a third party.”

Zhou Yi thought he misheard and turned his head in confusion, “What?”

Bai Zhao squinted, “What do you mean?”

“Don’t rush to curse me for being heartless.” Yu Duqiu toyed with the sharp blade necklace around his neck, his words even colder. “She lied to me first.”

“When?”

“Just now.” Yu Duqiu touched his earlobe. “Judging by the color, size, and clarity, those earrings are natural, untreated pigeon blood rubies, each over three carats. Do you know the level of such jewelry? Investment-grade. If not auctioned, such pieces would be priced for sale in stores, and they would be quickly snapped up, not something she could casually buy. Besides, her allowance isn’t that substantial.”

Bai Zhao pondered for a moment. “I used to handle transport, not jewelry. Even if she lied, it might not be malicious, just a small lie. No need to break off the engagement, right?”

Yu Duqiu shook his head. “In families like ours, surrounded by enemies, we can’t tolerate deceit from those close to us. Sometimes, a seemingly harmless lie can be deadly.”

“Do you suspect she would harm you?”

“Lingya wouldn’t intentionally harm me, nor does she have the capability. I worry about her being used by someone with ill intentions.” Yu Duqiu then asked Zhou Yi, “Old Zhou, who do you think gave Lingya those earrings?”

The hint was quite obvious. Zhou Yi opened his mouth, understanding but unable to say it, “Without evidence, I dare not speculate.”

“Did you hear that? Little White Wolf, you should learn from Old Zhou’s caution, always mind your words and actions to avoid trouble for yourself and others.” Yu Duqiu took the opportunity to educate, stretching lazily. “Never mind, that person’s blatant instigation and excessive flattery are obvious. A fool is not to be feared. Let’s watch and see if he has any other intentions.”

The car fell silent. Bai Zhao and Zhou Yi pondered whether this was related to recent cases.

Just then, Yu Duqiu suddenly slapped the armrest. “Oh, right!”

Bai Zhao’s eyes sharpened. “What?”

Zhou Yi asked, “Young Master, did you think of some evidence?”

“No.” Yu Duqiu looked at Bai Zhao, full of anticipation. “You just stopped me from finding a lover for Lingya’s sake. Now that I’m planning to break off the engagement, does that mean our agreement is void? Can I sleep with Xiao Mo tonight?”

Fang Xiaomo had been waiting in the vast manor villa all afternoon. Finally, at sunset, two Rolls Royces drove in one after the other.

He initially wanted to show some diligence by opening the car door for Yu Duqiu. Unexpectedly, the back door of the Phantom sprang open, and the fierce-looking handsome bodyguard got out without a glance at him, walking coldly towards the side building.

Yu Duqiu leisurely got out from the other side, putting his arm around him and asking with concern, “Have you been waiting long? Was it boring?”

Normally, such actions would be deemed frivolous and get one scolded. However, with Yu Duqiu’s handsome and rakish face and his gentle tone, many would be willing to play along with him and even feel they benefited from the interaction.

Fang Xiaomo’s heart raced. “No, not bored. There’s a lot to eat and play here, and the garden is beautiful. Just the two dogs are a bit scary…”

Yu Duqiu smiled. “They only bite bad people. They wouldn’t harm someone as cute as you.”

Fang Xiaomo blushed. “Th-thank you for the compliment.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll take you somewhere fun tonight.” Yu Duqiu released him for the moment. “I still have some matters to attend to. Go take a bath and stay in your room. I’ll have dinner brought to you.”

This kind of considerate treatment was something Fang Xiaomo, a migrant worker who was usually ordered around by his boss, had never experienced. He nodded eagerly, already falling in love with this life of being served rather than serving.

Yu Duqiu instructed a servant to take the boy upstairs, then went to take a bath himself before donning a robe and heading to the dining room.

Zhao Feihua had already gone home halfway, leaving only three bodyguards and a butler at the table, who had already started eating.

The Yu family had rules about hierarchy and respect outside, but at home, they were more relaxed, and close subordinates could dine together. However, Yu Duqiu was somewhat of a germaphobe regarding food, so the kitchen usually prepared a separate meal for him, while the rest shared the same dishes.

Lou Baoguo, surprised by Zhou Yi’s earlier recount, asked as soon as Yu Duqiu appeared, “Young Master, Miss Du likes you so much, how could she lie? Could there be a misunderstanding?”

Yu Duqiu sat down leisurely, picking at his food. “Whether it’s a misunderstanding will be clear over time. Let’s not talk about that. While I was bathing, Ji Lin called with bad news.”

Lou Baoguo immediately shifted his focus from Du Lingya’s issue, clearly finding solving crimes more interesting than romantic matters. “What is it?”

Yu Duqiu finally selected a piece of steamed fish and slowly chewed it. “Their special task force has been monitoring day and night for a few days but still hasn’t traced the source of the hallucinogen. It seems the drug dealers are aware and have gone into hiding. The city bureau leaders, worried the killer might use the same method to warn me, are considering proposing to the mayor to suspend my project to avoid implicating me and other innocents.”

Zhou Yi frowned. “That won’t do. The losses would be huge, and it would mean the killer’s plan succeeded.”

Lou Baoguo added, “Right, why back down? It’d make us look scared. We should stand our ground! Don’t you think so, big brother?”

Bai Zhao remained unusually silent, focused on his food, saying nothing.

Yu Duqiu looked at him with interest. “If you keep sulking, I’ll still sleep with Xiao Mo tonight unless you want to take his place.”

“No.”

“Then that’s settled. Keep personal feelings separate from work.”

“Because you don’t care, you can separate them easily.”

His voice was too low, and Yu Duqiu didn’t hear clearly. “What?”

Bai Zhao picked up a piece of fish. “I’m listening. You said the mayor might suspend your project. Then what?”

Yu Duqiu, uninterested in soothing Bai Zhao’s inexplicable mood, continued, “So, Du Shuyan might not be able to help much. His abilities are limited, and since his father passed away, he’s lost his backing. Though he’s made some connections in recent years, he’s still not as adept at negotiation as Peizhuo and can’t help me turn things around quickly. I need another plan… Ugh, such a headache. Let’s relax first. Uncle Hong, has Xiao Mo’s dinner been delivered?”

Hong Liangzhang nodded. “Yes, and Chef Dong made an extra dessert. The boy should like it.”

“Good. I’ll try it later.”

Not sure which one he was referring to.

Bai Zhao suddenly slammed his chopsticks down, tossed his napkin, and threw it on the table. “I’m full. You all enjoy. Call me if there’s news from the police.”

Hong Liangzhang watched him leave, sighing helplessly. “No manners.”

Yu Duqiu, in a good mood, joked, “Uncle Hong, if Yuanhang were this willful, how would you punish him? I need some pointers.”

Hong Liangzhang, always indulgent to his grandson, smiled wryly. “I’m old and can’t control him anymore. I can only hope he realizes his mistakes and changes.”

“My big brother won’t change,” Lou Baoguo said. “He doesn’t even respect the young master. No one in the world can make him behave. Young master, you’ll have a hard time with him.”

“The more difficult, the more intriguing. Those who are easy get boring after one taste.” Yu Duqiu lost interest. “Oh, Uncle Hong, remember to get him out before I wake up in the morning. I don’t want to be disturbed.”

Lou Baoguo blurted out, “Young master, you’re just—”

Zhou Yi kicked him under the table. “Your mouth is only good for eating, not talking.”

Lou Baoguo yelped, “These are my new shoes! A man’s soul can be trampled, but not his new shoes!!”

Yu Duqiu calmly swallowed a bite of fish, waited for them to quiet down, and said, “It’s not that I’m heartless. In business, they say: ‘For expensive and quickly depreciating goods, short-term rentals are more cost-effective than purchases.’ Beautiful bodies aren’t costly; emotions are. Emotions devalue quickly—priceless when in love, worthless when not. I won’t invest in something even I don’t believe in.”

Hong Liangzhang advised, “These fleeting romances are one thing, but if someone truly loves you, young master, you should consider it.”

“How do I know they truly love me? And will love me for life? Even Lingya lied to me. Unless… that person would die for me without hesitation, then I might consider it. But to prove it, they’d need to die first, and then it’s too late for me to love them.”

Not valuing someone until they’re gone—a logic beyond ordinary people. Hong Liangzhang couldn’t think of more advice and could only sigh.

“Wise men don’t fall in love. Anyway, I have no appetite today. I’ll head upstairs. Feel free to interrupt me if something comes up; I don’t mind.” Yu Duqiu stood up, tossed his napkin aside, and glanced at the mess left behind on the empty seat opposite him. “And let Bai Zhao know that if he keeps throwing tantrums, he can either sleep in the doghouse or be tied up in my bedroom to watch me sleep with someone else. His choice.”