BL Ch107

Ten o’clock at night.

A heavy gray cloud obscured the nearly full autumn moon, plunging the earth into a deathly silence under a starless sky, as if brewing a sinister plot.

“Beep… Beep…”

An outdated flip phone pressed against an ear emitted an irritating dial tone. The person clutching it furrowed their brow deeply, the lines on their forehead tight enough to crush a mosquito. When the call connected, those lines deepened further.

“What’s up?” The voice on the other end was languid, tinged with impatience.

“…How’s it you? Where’s he at?”

“He’s asleep, left his phone out here to rest easy.”

“For real? Or are you just trying to block him from talking to me?”

The person chuckled low, followed by a soft click—like a lighter sparking. After a couple of seconds, an exhale carried a cold reply: “Mind your own business, old man.”

Hong Liangzhang’s anger flared as if ignited by that lighter, erupting instantly. “Mind my business? If I didn’t, how many more would you kill? You think a scapegoat clears you? I told you your plan wouldn’t work—they’re not that stupid. They’ll figure out Pei Ming’s not the one they’re after—”

“They?” The person asked playfully. “Who’s that? Your little young master?”

“…” Hong Liangzhang’s retort caught in his throat. He swallowed hard, his bravado fading, mumbling softly, “No… not him. The police.”

The person wasn’t fooled. “How’d you get police intel? Through Yu Duqiu, right? What’s he planning?”

“He’s not planning anything. I told you he’s done meddling. Leave him alone.” Hong Liangzhang’s anger surged again, but he kept it hushed, voice low. “You lied, said it was to help Bai Zhiming escape, so I told you their plan. Then you tried to kill them? Forgot what you promised? If you dare—”

“I didn’t promise you anything. He did. Not my problem.” The person cut him off again, dismissing him entirely. “Old man, one more time: did you sabotage Bai Zhiming’s death?”

“Of course not! How could I pull that off?” Hong Liangzhang protested.

Silence followed, then the person mused, as if to themselves, “The woman I planted by his side said everything was going smoothly. She led the police to him. Bai Zhiming got the news too late to run, had to fight or die. But he didn’t kill a single person and went down himself. Weird… He had a deal with Pei Ming, plus his adopted son helping. If anyone should’ve died, it’d be them first. How’d Bai Zhiming not escape?”

Hong Liangzhang’s cloudy eyes flickered at “adopted son helping,” replying cautiously, “Who knows? I wasn’t there.”

The person didn’t expect an answer, saying abruptly, “That new bodyguard of yours… seems off.”

Hong Liangzhang’s heart pounded, nearly leaping to his throat. “W-What’s off? Didn’t he join Bai Zhiming after your email? Why bring him up?”

“Can’t put my finger on it…” The person laughed inexplicably. “He feels… like my kind.”

Not suspicion, just an observation.

Hong Liangzhang exhaled quietly.

He didn’t know what happened in Myanmar or how Bai Zhiming died, but he wasn’t blind. Living alongside Bai Zhao, he saw how Bai Zhao treated Yu Duqiu.

With Liu Shaojie and Jiang Sheng as precedents, the person assumed Bai Zhao was Bai Zhiming’s loyal soldier, never imagining an untamed exception.

Hong Liangzhang was expendable, soon to be discarded, but protecting this vital Queen kept the King’s faint hope alive.

He deftly shifted topics, diverting attention from Bai Zhao. “Anyway, things aren’t looking good. I’ve warned Xiao Hang. You should check your own tracks, leave no clues for the police.”

The person brushed it off. “Bai Zhiming and his sons handled the package deliveries. Your grandson’s in the U.S.—they can’t touch him. As for minor issues… as long as you stay loyal, they’ve got no solid evidence even if they suspect us.”

Wu Min and Huang Hanxiang’s deaths, plus Yu Wencheng and Jiang Sheng’s accidental ones, were mere “minor issues” to this person, not even worth naming.

Hong Liangzhang shivered.

“Stay loyal,” they said—code for don’t act rashly. They were bound together now; betrayal meant Hong Yuanhang would pay.

This mess was his own fault, his foolish indulgence.

An unworthy child was one thing, but sending him abroad for a fancy degree? Instead of gold, he picked up vices—gambling, drugs, debts piling high, lured into a dark trade. By the time Hong Liangzhang realized, it was too late. Quitting meant death.

“When… will you stop?”

“I stopped long ago. I didn’t start this.” Slippers shuffled on the other end, the person stepping onto a balcony, faint night wind hissing through the mic like a ghost’s wail. “I warned him—his plan was like a cavity in a tooth. Even filled, the flaw remains, waiting to ache again, growing until it’s a chasm, ripped out by the root.”

“But he insisted, and I owed him two wishes. What could I do?” The man’s voice held no worry, only chilling menace. “That cavity’s about to be exposed. If someone tries to pull it… you know what to do, right? Old bones, a few less years won’t matter. Think of the young ones.”

Hong Liangzhang’s lips paled, trembling, grasping the implication.

He’d saved the wolf, harmed the sheep, and now he was the next scapegoat.

A buzz interrupted—the phone vibrated with a new message. The man glanced at it, falling silent.

Hong Liangzhang sensed the eerie pause, asking, “What’s wrong?”

“…Got an interesting email.” The man skimmed the text rapidly. “Someone’s inviting us to the Yu family banquet… You’re holding a banquet?”

Hong Liangzhang frowned. “Yeah, I’m organizing it. You’re on the guest list, but invitations aren’t sent yet. Why would the young master email you directly?”

“The fun part is, it’s not from him. Signed ‘an old friend.’ Who’s playing mysterious…” The man’s voice stopped, pupils shrinking—

Above the text was a photo of a yellowed letter, clearly old.

At the bottom right, in bold script: “Du Yuanzhen.”

The sender’s message followed: [On the night of the full moon, under the roses, looking forward to working together again.]

This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival fell on September 21.

The afternoon before, a convoy of luxury cars rolled grandly out of the bronze gates, heading toward Pingyi Airport.

Zhou Yi’s leg had mostly healed, but for safety, Lou Baoguo drove, with Zhou Yi in the passenger seat, staring at the sleek Phantom ahead, brows knit. “Think Chairman Yu will split them up? She pushed for the young master’s engagement to Ms. Du before. Probably wants him married with kids. Xiao Bai’s in trouble…”

Lou Baoguo pictured a soap opera cliché: a domineering CEO falls for a penniless girl, and the mother-in-law tosses a multimillion check: “Take this and leave my son!”

But with Yu Jiangyue, she’d likely skip the check.

She had subtler ways to make people back off.

“Let’s put in a good word with Chairman Yu,” Lou Baoguo said. “Big bro finally won the young master over. They’re so close to happily ever after—can’t let a parent’s disapproval ruin it.”

“Chairman Yu’s no ordinary parent…” Zhou Yi shivered, neck shrinking as if Yu Jiangyue loomed nearby. “She’s an unclimbable mountain…”

In the spacious Phantom, only two rode.

Since Bai Zhao took over as personal driver, Master Zhao was semi-retired, still paid, enjoying the downtime.

Yu Duqiu opened a bottle of wine from the car’s stash, not checking its vintage or origin, gulping half a glass like it was juice, tasting little. He rubbed the empty glass, lost in thought, silent for a long while.

Bai Zhao glanced at him. “What’s up? Worried about tomorrow’s banquet?”

Yu Duqiu shook his head. “That’s under control. Your email got a reply—they’ll show. I’m worried about meeting my mom… She’s beyond my control. I don’t know what she’ll say to you, might be harsh… Don’t take it to heart.”

“No big deal. Can it be harsher than you?”

Yu Duqiu laughed, chiding, “Still holding a grudge? Those past things were just tests.”

“You’ve hurt me more than that.”

“Hm? What else?”

“Forget it, it’s history. I’m not petty.”

“Making it up, huh? My memory’s sharp, quit playing victim.” Yu Duqiu scoffed, then recalled something. “Oh, I invited Jingyu tomorrow. To be clear, he’s just helping with the banquet hall decor, my art consultant, does great work. Don’t hold it against me again.”

A dark glint passed through Bai Zhao’s eyes. “Come to my room tonight… I won’t.”

Yu Duqiu laughed, setting down the glass, sinking into the plush seat, giving him a cool side-eye. “Sneaking into my room every night’s not enough? Now I’ve gotta deliver myself? Greedy much, I’m not going.”

An hour later, the convoy reached its destination.

Pingyi Airport cleared a wide space. A Bombardier Global 7000 with a golden tail touched down smoothly, its gangway lowering. Out stepped Jia Jin, unseen for months, still vibrant and polished despite the long flight.

“Young Master Yu, good afternoon.”

Yu Duqiu, waiting on the tarmac, nodded. “Good, trip go okay?”

“Mostly smooth. Chairman Yu had it tougher—board meeting in London yesterday, then a nonstop flight back. She’s resting in the rear cabin, maybe still asleep. I didn’t dare wake her. Your call…?”

Yu Duqiu got the hint, chuckling as he pointed at Jia Jin’s nose. “Sly as ever, huh? Know my mom’s got a temper when woken, so you dodge, right?”

Jia Jin smiled genteelly. “I wouldn’t dare use you as a shield, but I’d only make Chairman Yu mad. You going in? She’ll be thrilled—she’s missed you.”

The flattery warmed Yu Duqiu. He started up the gangway, but more people descended—Yu Jiangyue’s staff, including a young man in his early twenties. He should’ve been robust, but was scrawny, his high-end suit pants hanging loose like they were on walking chopsticks, ill-fitting.

His face looked sallow, maybe from lack of sleep, his small eyes under broom-like brows devoid of youthful vigor.

Even his near-seventy-year-old grandfather seemed livelier.

This was Hong Yuanhang.

Spotting Yu Duqiu, Hong Yuanhang’s face flashed three parts timidity, seven parts flattery, eyes squinting into slits as he shouted from afar, “Brother Qiu! Long time no see!”

Bai Zhao looked at Yu Duqiu, slightly surprised.

Yu Duqiu waved with a smile, whispering, “He’s a few years younger. Hong-bo brought him over a lot when we were kids, like a half-brother. We drifted apart after I went abroad… Never thought my brother-in-arms would stab me in the back.”

Hong Yuanhang reached them, scanning the welcoming party, puzzled. “Grandpa didn’t come?”

Zhou Yi answered, “Hong-bo’s prepping tomorrow’s banquet, couldn’t make it. Don’t worry, you’ll see him soon.”

Hong Yuanhang nodded, eyeing Bai Zhao. “Brother Qiu, this is…?”

Before Yu Duqiu could speak, Bai Zhao extended a hand. “Hi, I’m his partner.”

“Self-appointed?” A female voice cut in from above.

Everyone startled, looking up—

Yu Jiangyue, roused by the landing’s jolt, was dressed impeccably. A tailored black dress accentuated her fair skin, her 1.77-meter model frame boosted by ten-centimeter stilettos. She descended the gangway steadily, striding to the group with a commanding presence, dwarfing any man under 1.85 meters.

Bai Zhao met the gaze of this business titan, unfazed. “Hello, Chairman Yu.”

Yu Jiangyue wore no makeup, her expression cool yet elegantly poised, her beauty clearly the source of Yu Duqiu’s. Her light eyes, like glass, reflected her name’s poetic origin: At night’s calm, longing to return, only a river of moonlight, jade glass.

“Bai Zhao, right? Nice to meet you. Let’s talk in the car.” Her tone seemed casual, but Zhou Yi and Lou Baoguo were already sweating.

Everyone in the Yu household knew: cross Yu Duqiu, you might die; cross his mom, you’d wish you had.

No one knew what knives hid behind Yu Duqiu’s smile, just as no one knew what bombs lurked behind Yu Jiangyue’s icy demeanor.

The group split into cars. Jia Jin and Hong Yuanhang rode with Lou Baoguo, while Yu Jiangyue boarded the Phantom alone.

It felt like a three-way showdown.

Soon after, Yu Duqiu’s voice crackled over the intercom. “My mom wants to hit the cemetery first. Follow.”

Lou Baoguo flinched. “…Chairman Yu isn’t… planning to bury big bro, is she?”

Jia Jin chuckled. “She’s likely visiting Ms. Cen. If she wanted to bury him, she wouldn’t tell you where.”

“…”

Bai Zhao, seemingly unconcerned despite the grim jests, turned the car toward the cemetery.

Yu Duqiu switched seats, joining his mom in the back, eagerly grabbing another glass. “Mom, want a drink?”

“No, didn’t sleep well, head’s pounding.” Yu Jiangyue rubbed her temples, cutting straight to it. “This guy—how long you planning to keep him around?”

Yu Duqiu’s smile faltered, glancing at Bai Zhao’s eyes in the rearview mirror. They stayed focused ahead, no sign of offense.

“As long as he’s loyal, I’m too lazy to switch.”

Yu Jiangyue eyed her son’s devastatingly charming face. “You sure he’ll stay devoted? What’s your trick to keep his heart? Your paranoia? Your tyranny?”

“…” A mother knows her son. Yu Duqiu was stumped, speechless.

The eyes in the mirror curved slightly, as if amused by his floundering.

Yu Jiangyue didn’t spare the smirking Bai Zhao, turning her fire on him. “And he’s got a face that attracts trouble, clearly scheming. No good, you’ll crash hard with him.”

Bai Zhao: “…”

Yu Duqiu thought: Too late, Mom, I’ve already crashed.

“I won’t meddle with who you’re with, but as your mom, I’m warning you: he’s not boyfriend material, and you’re not cut out for relationships. Think it over. I’m napping—wake me when we’re there.” Yu Jiangyue unleashed her verdict, shut her eyes, and gave no room for rebuttal.

Yu Duqiu, helpless, looked to the front.

Bai Zhao, at a red light, reached back, patting his knee gently.

The cemetery was far from the airport, a ninety-minute drive. It was as quiet as last time, sparsely visited, greenery lush.

Nearby flower shops sold mostly chrysanthemums and yellow-white blooms. Bai Zhao stepped out, bought a few rare white hibiscus for graves, and jogged back, handing them to Yu Jiangyue.

Yu Jiangyue, mood heavy from visiting an old friend, face somber, froze upon seeing the flowers.

As he offered them, Bai Zhao said earnestly, “Chairman Yu, I’d like ten minutes to talk privately. May I?”

Lou Baoguo and Zhou Yi were stunned, and even Yu Duqiu gaped, watching him walk off with his mother.

Jia Jin clapped. “Mr. Bai’s fearless, a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. Hope he comes back alive.”

Ten minutes later, Bai Zhao not only returned alive but brought a rare softness to Yu Jiangyue’s frosty face. They chatted and laughed, the vibe almost cozy.

Lou Baoguo was floored. “Big bro… a true legend…”

Zhou Yi’s jaw dropped. “Did Xiao Bai… cast a spell on Chairman Yu?”

Yu Duqiu was the most baffled, knowing his mom’s temperament mirrored his own.

It took Xiao Bai months to crack his stone heart—how’d he win over his even tougher mom in ten minutes?

Neither shared their talk. Bai Zhao said naturally, “Let’s go, Chairman Yu, to see Ms. Cen.”

Yu Jiangyue, holding the flowers, smiled warmly. “No need for formalities, call me Aunt Yu. Or Mom, if you want to jump ahead. If Duqiu mistreats you, tell me—I’ll sort him out.”

Everyone froze.

Yu Duqiu stumbled, staring as they walked off laughing toward the cemetery’s depths, wondering if he or his mom had lost it.

At Cen Wan’s grave, the others stayed back. Yu Jiangyue’s expression sobered. She wiped the tombstone with a tissue, placing the hibiscus by the name.

Kneeling, she clasped her hands, praying. “You were little when Aunt Cen held you. You probably don’t remember.”

Yu Duqiu was still puzzling over Xiao Bai’s trick, stumped like never before. Her words took a beat to register. “Yeah, she passed when I was seven, shame.”

Cen Wan’s color photo on the tombstone showed a gentle, carefree smile, more like a joyful girl than a genius scientist.

Yu Jiangyue sighed softly. “We met in high school. She was the smartest person I ever knew, way beyond your little tricks.”

Yu Duqiu nodded, helping her up, brushing dust from her black dress.

“We went to the same university. I studied business, she did bioengineering. Your grandpa was her professor, adored her, practically a goddaughter… Before you were born, we arranged a betrothal. She had a son and daughter, so I figured, boy or girl, we’d be in-laws, as long as you didn’t fall for something weird like a demon or beast.”

“…” Yu Duqiu bit back, Your son’s with a little beast now.

Given the weird harmony between his mom and said beast, saying it might get him in trouble.

“When her family of four died, her son was five, daughter three, all buried here… What kind of monster kills kids that young?” Pain and hatred flashed in Yu Jiangyue’s reddened eyes. “Bai Zhiming lived too comfortably, died too easily. Even Pei Xianyong got twenty extra years. Their punishment doesn’t match their crimes. Your grandpa and I… we can’t let it go.”

Yu Duqiu offered a tissue. “‘The vile have a free pass, the noble get epitaphs.’ Isn’t that how the world works?”

Yu Jiangyue waved it off, taking a deep breath. “I want to see the vile’s death sentence burn before the noble’s grave. When will that happen?”

Yu Duqiu replied, “Pei Xianyong’s evidence is solid. The case is under review, should go to trial in two or three months if smooth.”

“Two or three months? Hmph, every day he breathes wastes food, pollutes air.”

Yu Duqiu shrugged. “I know his prison. If you want, bribing an inmate to smother him with a blanket at night’s not hard.”

Lou Baoguo and Zhou Yi held their breath, fearing Yu Jiangyue’s next words would be, “Go for it.”

Thankfully, she had some legal sense. “That’s a crime.”

Then added, “If you’re breaking the law anyway, why not drown him in a toilet?”

…Not much better than her son.

Bai Zhao cut in, halting the mother-son spiral. “Ms. Cen wouldn’t want you doing that.”

Yu Jiangyue turned, eyeing him, and nodded. “True, she was too kind. Guess we wait. Update me on any progress.”

“Will do.”

Yu Jiangyue faced the tombstone’s photo, her cold voice softening. “Wanwan, I’m leaving. I’ll visit when this is fully settled. Don’t worry, what you left behind, I’ll protect. Our whole family will.”

Yu Duqiu nearly asked what Cen left, but Yu Jiangyue turned and left, swift as ever.

His mom was always decisive. Yu Duqiu, resigned, clasped his hands. “Aunt Cen, may you find peace and joy in the next life.”

Bai Zhao joined him. “Not sincere. You don’t believe in an afterlife.”

“Just pleasantries, but I genuinely hope someone like Ms. Cen gets endless lives to perfect her work. Humanity might still have a shot.”

Bai Zhao smiled. “She’d be thrilled to hear you.”

Yu Duqiu scoffed. “You’re not her, how’d you know? Maybe she’s annoyed we’re bugging her. Let’s go, let her rest. Tomorrow’s busy, gotta prep.”

Bai Zhao glanced at the hibiscus by the tombstone, its white petals framing the woman’s kind smile, like a gentle farewell.

Yu Duqiu took a few steps, then turned back, unable to resist. “Hey, what’d you slip my mom to win her over?”

Bai Zhao caught up, slinging an arm over his shoulder. “My honest heart.”

“When’ll you be that honest with me?”

“When you recall our first meeting.”

Yu Duqiu frowned. “You know I was drunk, don’t remember a thing.”

“Then you’re out of luck.” Bai Zhao murmured, “When you do… you won’t need my answer.”

“Why can’t you just tell me?”

“It’s payback. For forgetting me, for not saying you love me yet.”

Yu Duqiu lifted his chin. “You called yourself my partner in front of everyone. Need my validation?”

Bai Zhao leaned in, stealing a quick kiss. “Yeah, young master. I don’t do nameless flings.”

Yu Duqiu’s heart fluttered, lips curving. “When this is over, I’ll give you a title.”

“What kind?”

Yu Duqiu patted his cheek. “Depends on you. Perform well, and I’ll let the world know you’re my Queen, my puppy… my man.”