BL Ch103

The cool breeze of early autumn swept through Pingyi City overnight, carrying with it the month’s first major news.

The media’s efficiency was undeniable. The day after Lou Baoguo spread the fake tip, reports of Pei Ming’s involvement in criminal cases, embellished with juicy details, flooded Pingyi’s business circles. Initially a small buzz, the story inexplicably shot to trending by the day’s end, dominating headlines for half a day. Pei’s stock plummeted, hitting the limit down multiple times.

Pei Ming, who’d carefully crafted an elite persona with hundreds of thousands of followers across social platforms, saw his accounts swarmed by onlookers, drowned in a torrent of condemnation.

While rumors raged outside, No. 1 Palace remained an oasis of calm, unaffected by its master’s ten-day absence. The only change was in the back hill orchard, where fruits ripened with autumn’s arrival, ready for picking.

Yu Duqiu’s private yacht, set to sail internationally for the first time, required a slew of permits, delaying a spontaneous trip. With time to kill, he led his crew and pets to harvest fruit.

Zhao Feihua, there to discuss next-quarter plans, lucked out, lounging under a tree, scrolling social media, and joining the gossip frontline. “Good thing Pei Ming’s phone’s confiscated, or he’d faint seeing this.”

Lou Baoguo scoffed. “He’s already given up, doesn’t care. His brother’s the one suffering—stormed the hospital demanding to see him, got turned away every time, now stuck cleaning up the mess alone. Catch!”

Zhao Feihua fumbled to catch a freshly picked apple, adjusted his glasses, and continued, “Peizhuo, handle this? He’s always been under his brother’s wing, no leadership. Why don’t we acquire Pei’s company while it’s weak, boss? Thoughts?”

Yu Duqiu, perched high on a ladder, gloved hand reaching for a big red apple, didn’t look back. “No interest. Ore runs dry eventually—fruit’s better, it grows back.”

He twisted the apple off cleanly and leaned down to feed it to the white horse waiting below. “Here, Xiao Bai, eat. Aww, so good.”

Bai Zhao, steadying the ladder, reached up to fix Yu Duqiu’s slipping sunhat.

Yu Duqiu flashed a radiant smile. “Xiao Bai’s pretty good too.”

Bai Zhao brushed his face gently. “Thanks, young master.”

Zhao Feihua stepped back, whispering to Zhou Yi, “Am I imagining things, or are they… dating?”

Zhou Yi, in his wheelchair, swatted at the syrupy air. “You’re just here today. We’ve been enduring it for days.”

“For real? This is huge, and you didn’t tell me!”

“Shh, keep it down.” Zhou Yi glanced at the pair—one wiping the other’s sweat, oblivious to them—before continuing, “Didn’t we tell you? Hotel walls were thin, me and A-Bao didn’t sleep all night…”

Zhao Feihua hushed his voice. “Them sleeping together’s no shock—Yu’s slept with plenty. But dating? That’s different! Him, in love? Is his brain broken… oh, right, it’s already broken. What’s the deal?”

“Don’t ask us, we’re clueless. It just… happened naturally?”

Lou Baoguo tossed another apple into a basket below. “Pfft, I’m not surprised. Saw Big Bro at Junyue and told you, he’s young master’s type. My eye’s sharp, huh?”

Zhou Yi spat. “Sharp eye, my ass. Who was it kicking people left and right, reopening Xiao Bai’s wounds? Only just healed now.”

Lou Baoguo scratched his head awkwardly. “I apologized! Big Bro didn’t hold it against me. In that chaos, who had time to think?”

Zhou Yi added, “Still, Xiao Bai played triple agent way too risky. Good thing the police cleared him yesterday, didn’t fuss over him hiding Bai Zhiming’s whereabouts.”

Lou Baoguo, feeling guilty, sided with Bai Zhao. “Not exactly hiding. He didn’t know at first, and once he did, he led the cops to Bai Zhiming, right? That’s atonement.”

“Hope it’s smooth sailing from here…”

Just then, distant barks rang out, and two black blurs bolted toward them.

Yu Duqiu whistled, tossing two apples. The Dobermans screeched to a halt, veering to join the horse, munching happily head-to-head.

Hong Liangzhang, carrying a small basket of tangerines, ambled up, chuckling. “Young master, ten days abroad, then hospital visits daily—they were so lonely they nearly got depressed.”

Yu Duqiu hopped off the ladder, peeled off his gloves, and petted the dogs and horse. “I’ll play with you soon.” He washed his hands at a basin and started peeling a tangerine.

Zhao Feihua, still skeptical, watched Yu Duqiu offer the first segment to Bai Zhao’s mouth, saying softly, “Open up.”

Zhao Feihua muttered, “Okay, people do change…”

Bai Zhao bit down, only to wince, face puckering from the sourness, instinctively wanting to spit it out.

Yu Duqiu pinched his cheeks, grinning. “No way, swallow it, or I won’t feed you again.”

Zhao Feihua added, “…But still a jerk.”

Bai Zhao shut his eyes, forcing down the tooth-achingly sour tangerine, then bolted to the basin to rinse his mouth.

Hong Liangzhang, apologetic, said, “My bad, they looked ripe, so I picked a few. Might be too early. Don’t eat the rest, I’ll take them to the kitchen for plating decor.”

“No need, send them to Pei Ming, a little gesture.” Yu Duqiu had it all planned. “Too many apples too. Have the kitchen make apple pies and dried apples, send some to Mu Hao and Ji Lin.”

“Good, plenty of folks at their station to share,” Hong Liangzhang said, then asked, “When’s Pei’s case going to trial? He’s been in the hospital over a week, right?”

“No clue, up to the cops. Not my call.”

“Is he really the culprit? Rumors sound convincing, but he doesn’t seem the type…”

Yu Duqiu smiled. “If you judge criminals by looks, no wonder Jiang Sheng slipped into the house.”

Hong Liangzhang, sheepish, said, “True, I’m getting senile.”

“Anyway, it’s none of our business now.” Yu Duqiu removed his hat, wiping sweat from his brow. “Bai Zhao went to the station yesterday. Heard the police have a suspect locked in—should catch the real culprit soon. Us outsiders, we just live our lives.”

Hong Liangzhang beamed. “Glad you see it that way. Should’ve ages ago. This trip abroad nearly gave me a heart attack—nobody expected that mess, almost didn’t make it back…”

Lou Baoguo chimed in, “Yeah, young master, Hong-bo called daily about you, scared out of his mind.”

Zhou Yi added, “Hong-bo nearly flew over to stop you from chasing Bai Zhiming. Took all my convincing to hold him back. It was dicey, still gives me chills.”

Zhao Feihua blurted, “You can talk all you want, he’s always been like this—does whatever, never considers others.”

Yu Duqiu, ganged up on, surrendered. “Alright, I’m stepping back, aren’t I? You guys, quit telling the old man this stuff. Hong-bo’s almost seventy, let him…”

He paused, brow furrowing, then shook his head, dismissing a thought. “Let him enjoy some peace.”

Hong Liangzhang’s eyes crinkled. “Peace? I’ll be worrying about you another decade or two before I retire. Hope I live that long.”

Lou Baoguo, munching an apple, said, “You will, you’re tough as nails. Gotta see Yuanhang marry and have kids—four generations under one roof.”

Zhou Yi asked casually, “Speaking of, haven’t seen Yuanhang since we got back. How’s he doing?”

Hong Liangzhang’s face clouded at his troublemaker grandson. “Same old, not amounting to much. Lucky Chairman Yu didn’t hold that last incident against him. He’s a low-level supervisor now, coasting. I don’t ask for greatness, just safety.”

The black cat and Sheriff finished their apples. Yu Duqiu kicked away the inedible cores. Bai Zhao returned from rinsing, and Yu Duqiu handed him the leashes. “Walk with me.” He swung a long leg over, mounting the horse.

Bai Zhao followed silently, no questions. The Dobermans, sensing their master’s odd mood, matched the horse’s pace obediently.

Zhao Feihua, watching their harmonious retreating figures, mused they looked good together, then remembered his purpose. “Right, how’d the experiment go abroad? Pretty successful? I’ve been busy, drafted ten marketing plans, waiting for the data. Gonna revive the company’s image, skyrocket the stock! Yu’s gotta boost my year-end bonus!”

Zhou Yi and Lou Baoguo exchanged awkward glances, staying mum.

Poor Manager Zhao didn’t yet know the massive pie his boss had baked, fooling countless people. Forget a bonus—whether the company survived till year-end was anyone’s guess.

Yu Duqiu wasn’t worried about the Themis project’s truth leaking yet, his mind on other matters, riding slowly through the orchard.

“I called my granddad yesterday.”

Bai Zhao glanced over. “What’d he say?”

“He praised me, said Chief Peng contacted him. If Pei Xianyong’s case gets retried, he’ll attend.” Yu Duqiu held the reins loosely, seeming drained. “But his tone wasn’t excited. I don’t get it—uncovering Cen Wan’s death was his lifelong wish. Why, when the truth finally comes, is he so calm? Even… a bit sad?”

“Because the truth came too late.” Bai Zhao stared ahead, focus distant. “Delayed justice isn’t true justice. Even if Pei Xianyong gets the death penalty, his beloved student won’t return, and the culprit lived twenty years longer. Anyone would feel sorrow.”

Yu Duqiu looked down at him. “By that logic, I’m an accomplice in delaying justice.”

Bai Zhao met his gaze. “Why say that?”

“You said yesterday Ji Lin’s guessed the King and Queen’s identities but lacks evidence, right?”

“Yeah, he suspects someone at your press conference mentioned Mogok on purpose, spooking Pei Ming into slipping. That person also has a grudge with the Pei family. Ji Lin heard it from their chief and Captain Feng. He didn’t name names, but the direction’s clear.”

“I guessed who it was too. Visited Pei Ming’s ward yesterday, and he said he didn’t know about Peizhuo giving Lingya earrings.” Yu Duqiu tugged the reins, slowing Xiao Bai. “I suspected he orchestrated Lingya and Chef Dong poisoning me, not to kill me but to sabotage Themis, keeping his dad’s crimes buried. Those sneaky moves fit him. But now, he’s admitted to attempted murder—he wouldn’t lie about this minor scheme. I believe him, he didn’t know.”

Bai Zhao frowned. “Can’t be Peizhuo’s idea either. He’s not that smart or bold.”

Yu Duqiu nodded. “Peizhuo’s actually the most normal of our old classmate group, aside from Mu Hao. Pei Ming, for all his faults, was a solid father figure, protected and raised his brother well. Peizhuo’s grudge against me is just from his brother’s influence and seeing me as a rival. I actually support him with Lingya, but now, that’s probably off.”

Bai Zhao, piecing it together mid-speech, said, “Because Du Shiyan wanted his brother dead?”

Yu Duqiu shot him a surprised glance. “Your brain’s quick.”

Bai Zhao shrugged. “Simple logic.”

Before the Dong Yongliang incident, Du Lingya had just returned, not yet reconnected with old friends. Only lovesick Peizhuo was actively in touch. If not him egging her on, who else could’ve nudged her to “play a small trick” for alone time with her fiancé?

Only her revered brother.

“At the restaurant confrontation, she was about to name who gave her the idea, but Du Shiyan slapped her, cutting her off,” Bai Zhao recalled. “She asked him, ‘How could you sacrifice my happiness?’ Likely blaming him for taking the fall for her crime to hide his own plot, which ended her engagement.”

“Exactly. Du Shiyan caught my misunderstanding and turned it against us, redirecting suspicion to the Pei family. Worthy of Du Yuanzhen’s son, huh? That sharpness and adaptability—I underestimated him.” Yu Duqiu added casually, “You’re something too, remembering stuff from months ago so clearly. Almost as good as me.”

Bai Zhao brushed it off. “Of course. That was the day you ended your engagement, meaning I could officially pursue you.”

Yu Duqiu’s heart stirred. He crooked a finger. “C’mere.”

Bai Zhao looked up, puzzled, and got a quick peck on the face.

“Little thing, you swooped in on the spoils.” Yu Duqiu pinched his cheek, toying with a favorite plaything. “Pei Ming’s got the worst luck. His empire collapsed overnight. He hired you to guard against Bai Zhiming, only to pick a traitor. Just as his career was recovering, Du Shiyan, who he despised, framed him as the prime suspect. Our misunderstanding pushed him to desperation, following his dad’s path. I almost feel guilty, like I drove him to ruin.”

Bai Zhao pressed his mischievous hand back. “Hold the reins, don’t fall. No need for guilt—he’s not innocent. When Pei Xianyong hired killers, Pei Ming was nearly eighteen, already handling family business. He knew their dirty dealings but hid them for profit. This is his reckoning.”

“Just saying. He nearly killed me—I’m not saintly enough to pity him.”

“That’s the spirit.”

The Dobermans trailed their master, unusually docile, though their dark eyes showed confusion: usually, master petted them, but today, he was all over another human?

Pets get jealous too, especially pampered ones. The dogs turned, baring sharp teeth at the leash-holder, trying to intimidate.

Bai Zhao shot them an icy glare.

“…Whine.” The normally dominant dogs whimpered, sensing his chilling aura, instantly cowed.

Pet dogs don’t stand a chance against a stray wolf—natural order.

Bai Zhao looked away, listening as Yu Duqiu resumed. “We suspected Chef Dong was a ‘scout,’ tasked with weakening me to lower my guard, upping the odds of sniping me in the parking lot.”

“But if Dong’s poisoning was Du Shiyan’s idea, those Batman goons in the garage were likely his Plan B after Plan A failed.”

“I was still Lingya’s fiancé then. Our families’ alliance benefited his business, so he probably didn’t want me dead. Hiring killers might’ve been the Queen’s solo move. What do you think?”

Bai Zhao considered. “Du Lingya and Dong Yongliang aren’t pros—mentally weak, prone to slip-ups. If I were Du Shiyan, I wouldn’t rely on just one plan to stop you.”

“Here’s the question—” Yu Duqiu paused, as if bracing himself, “How did they know Dong failed?”

Bai Zhao froze.

Realization hit, sending a chill up his spine, his body tensing.

When the plot was exposed, Dong Yongliang was immediately detained, with no chance to tip anyone off. They’d gone straight from the airport to the hotel—only flight crew, household staff, and police knew.

If there was a mole, it was among them.

“I compared the people who knew about Dong’s case with those who knew we were hunting Bai Zhiming. The overlapping names are in my head.” Yu Duqiu tapped his temple, sighing deeply. “The mole’s either a cop or… someone I don’t want to hand over to the police. What can I do? I can’t tell Ji Lin this lead—he’ll reach the same conclusion.”

Outsiders would be floored hearing this. Everyone knew Yu Duqiu loathed betrayal, cutting ties at the slightest suspicion, no evidence needed. After Huang Hanxiang’s incident, he fired nearly all involved staff that day.

Lou Baoguo, terrified he’d be next, was spared when Yu Duqiu let it go.

That’s just how he was.

He could forgive a trusted driver’s kidnapping, a beloved chef’s poisoning, a fiancée’s betrayal, even a mole who nearly got him killed.

Who says only murder makes a madman? Forgiving those who harm you at all costs—isn’t that a divine kind of madness?

He’d seen human fragility too early, life’s brevity. Good and evil, life and death, separated by a fleeting thought, a single moment.

In his world, worldly morals were scrap paper, voided for those he cared about. Perhaps he himself was the only rule.

Self-centered, but not evil.

Simply put, he feared loss too much.