BL Ch112

Yu Duqiu stood waiting for a while, sipping a glass of champagne, but the supposedly furious Xiao Bai wolf didn’t show up. Instead, Fei Zheng descended from the third floor via the elevator.

Given his status, he wasn’t prominent enough to mingle with the banquet hall’s wealthy and influential guests. He sensibly grabbed a drink and some food from the buffet area and quietly settled at a small corner table to eat dinner.

Hong Liangzhang, serving guests in the dining area, passed by him. They exchanged no unnecessary words, barely even a glance, everything appearing perfectly normal.

About half an hour later, Lu Qing’s real-time report came through the earpiece. “Hong Yuanhang went to the kitchen and placed a small bottle in the cabinet.”

Ji Lin responded, “As expected.”

To ensure the safety of this family banquet, security checks were set up at Palace No. 1’s main entrance. Fei Zheng couldn’t have brought in dangerous items, so an insider had to deliver them.

And who else but Hong Yuanhang would take the fall by appearing on camera, leaving evidence of the crime? If Yu Duqiu were harmed, the police would follow the trail, and Hong Liangzhang, to protect his grandson, would surely claim he orchestrated it, letting the real mastermind slip away again.

Even though Ji Lin didn’t believe Hong Liangzhang was innocent, he couldn’t help but fume. “How long will he keep exploiting that old man? Over and over, does he really think he can stay untouchable forever?”

“He said it himself, didn’t he? He’s not afraid of you coming for him.” Yu Duqiu drawled lazily. “Desperate outlaws don’t care about life or death. As long as they’re free, they’ll keep wreaking havoc, chasing the thrill of racing against the police. You can’t analyze them like normal people.”

Ji Lin retorted, “You sound awfully relaxed for someone who’s their target.”

“I get it. Taking me down would make headlines worldwide, the crowning moment of his life. If I were him, I’d turn my killing video into a QR code, carve it on my tombstone for posterity to scan.” Yu Duqiu said smugly. “An assassination, preferably during a public speech—that’d cement my legacy, on par with Gandhi.”

Ji Lin replied, “Your narcissism never ceases to amaze me.”

Lu Qing suddenly shouted, “Ji-ge! Bai Zhao’s grabbing the stuff!”

Ji Lin snapped back to business. “Get our people to intercept it and send it to the bureau for testing. Yu, you’ve got an hour and a half to stall. If you can’t keep it up, let me know, and we’ll take him and the Hong duo down first.”

Yu Duqiu drained his glass, clicking his tongue lightly. “Relax, I’ve got this. Just let me know when the bureau’s got results.”

Ji Lin and Lu Qing exchanged puzzled looks. Where was his confidence coming from? This was ninety minutes, not nine seconds. How could he fill such a long stretch without raising suspicion?

The liquid in the portable spray bottle was clear and transparent, resembling tap water or drinking water, inconspicuous among the kitchen’s cluttered items.

Bai Zhao approached the corner, opened the cap, and cautiously sniffed. There was no discernible odor. Countless drugs or poisons were colorless, odorless, and transparent, impossible to identify by sight alone.

After ensuring no one was around, he poured the liquid into a small bottle he carried, then left the kitchen. At the entrance, he brushed past an officer arranged by Ji Lin, who silently took the bottle.

Testing would take at least an hour for the fastest results. Until then, he had to find a way to bluff through.

With the autumn equinox nearing, the sky darkened by six o’clock, the moon not yet high. The banquet hall was already ablaze with light.

The Yu family’s guest list was modest, mostly relatives and friends, with a fair number of business partners.

After the Junyue Hotel incident four months ago, Yu Duqiu had been temporarily labeled a key suspect by police and media, causing many to avoid him like a plague. Those eager to curry favor upon his return had watched from the sidelines, giving him months of peace. Now, rumors swirled that the real culprit, Pei Ming, had been caught, clearing Yu Duqiu’s name. Like rats foraging at night, these people came crawling back.

Yu Jiangyue, out of courtesy, greeted guests briefly, but she disliked playing the social game. Her “reception” was little more than nodding to attendees, as if presiding over a coronation, all but expecting them to kiss her hand.

Yu Duqiu, witnessing this, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mom, let me take over. You go rest.”

Yu Jiangyue shot him a look devoid of maternal warmth. “You show up when it’s nearly done? No need now. Where’s Bai Zhao? I haven’t seen him.”

Yu Duqiu, holding back a question since yesterday, finally blurted out, “Why are you so concerned about him? What spell did he cast on you at the cemetery?”

Yu Jiangyue’s expression turned cryptic. “He’ll tell you himself later. He asked me not to say.”

Yu Duqiu was incredulous. “He’s your real son, isn’t he?”

As he spoke, the “real son” entered through the banquet hall’s doors.

As always, his face was cold, exuding an air of disdain for everyone, yet his striking looks were flawless. Dressed in a black suit like most men present, he somehow outshone them all, impossible to ignore.

“If only he were my son.” Yu Jiangyue’s gaze held not just admiration but a tender pity. “He wouldn’t have suffered so much, poor child.”

Yu Duqiu now understood what favoritism felt like. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Fair warning, I’m about to make him suffer a bit more soon. Don’t feel bad—I’ll explain later.”

Yu Jiangyue didn’t get mad, raising a delicate brow. “I’m not worried about him. He’s sharp. You, my silly boy, with your hit-or-miss brain, better watch out, or he’ll chew you up and spit out the bones.”

Yu Duqiu brushed it off. “You’re overthinking. I’ve got it under control.”

In the brief exchange, Bai Zhao reached them, politely greeting Yu Jiangyue before silently staring at Yu Duqiu.

Yu Jiangyue waved dismissively. “I see your cousin—I haven’t seen him in ages, going to say hi. Join us later.”

Yu Duqiu nodded, and once she left, turned to the visibly displeased man. “What’s with the sour face? I just talked to Jingyu for a bit.”

Bai Zhao lowered his voice. “Can’t even a lock tame your wandering heart, young master?”

Ji Lin and Lu Qing, eavesdropping in real-time, silently sympathized with Yu Duqiu. This was genuinely unfair.

With guests milling around, the two of them naturally drew attention, standing out like they were under a spotlight. Lou Baoguo, grabbing a beer at the self-serve bar, got a sudden pat on the back, nearly snorting his drink. He spun around, fuming, “Who the hell—”

Zhou Yi quickly hushed his outburst. “Shh! Look at the young master and Xiao Bai. Something’s off—are they fighting?”

Zhou Yangguo, also at the banquet, was nibbling on caramel pudding. Hearing this, she anxiously glanced over. Sure enough, Yu Duqiu and Bai Zhao stood in tense silence, their expressions unnatural, a thick frost between them. Even ten meters away, she felt the chill.

She didn’t want her new favorite couple to crash so soon, grabbing Zhou Yi’s sleeve and shaking it. “Dad, go check on them!”

Zhou Yi, fearless and capable of taking on three men barehanded, hesitated. “Let’s… watch for now.”

If Yu Duqiu was truly angry, no one could calm him. Anyone who tried was asking for trouble.

Jia Jin, far calmer, smiled. “It’s fine. The young master’s too refined to bicker in public—”

“Who are you to lecture me?”

Yu Duqiu’s sudden, sharp rebuke froze the chatting, eating, and curious onlookers in an instant. A deathly silence spread, wary and shocked eyes cautiously darting to the hall’s center.

The reprimand wasn’t loud but carried a fierce, menacing edge. The nearby crowd flinched, fearing the anger might spill onto them, and quickly backed away, clearing space for the quarrel.

The scolded bodyguard’s face was dark as coal, his lips pressed stubbornly shut, offering no reply. From the dining area, only his rigid, upright back was visible.

Fei Zheng sipped his juice, blending into the crowd to watch the drama.

Lu Jingyu, also in the dining area, saw the outburst and blurted, “What’s going on?”

“Just the fake affection of the elite for their inferiors.” A man at the next table chimed in, his tone breezy. “They seem devoted, but the moment there’s defiance, their selfish true colors show. In their world, real feelings don’t exist.”

Lu Jingyu, baffled, glanced at the unfamiliar man. Then, Yu Duqiu’s manic laugh rang out. “Think you’re something because I treat you well? Know your place.”

Lou Baoguo swallowed hard, nervously tugging Zhou Yi’s sleeve. “S-Should we go calm things down? First time I’ve seen the young master lose it in public…”

Zhou Yi was busy shielding his daughter’s eyes and ears. “Go up now, and you’re dead.”

Jia Jin kept smiling. “It’s fine. Lovers’ quarrels are normal, not like they’re fighting—”

Slap!

Bai Zhao must’ve muttered something, and Yu Duqiu, without mercy, slapped him, then arrogantly wiped his hand with a napkin, as if touching something filthy, before tossing it at Bai Zhao’s face. Without sparing him another glance, he turned upstairs. “Follow me up. Don’t embarrass yourself here.”

Lou Baoguo, Zhou Yi, and even Hong Liangzhang serving in the dining area were stunned, as were the surrounding guests, too scared to make a sound. Yu Jiangyue and other relatives, farther away, hadn’t yet caught wind of the commotion.

Jia Jin’s smile faded, and he rubbed his chin, puzzled. “That’s not right. In my memory, the young master never lays a hand on lovers. What’s up today? But don’t worry, that slap didn’t sound hard. Bai’s not hurt, and the young master’s calling him up, probably not to mistreat him—”

Lou Baoguo and Zhou Yi roared in unison, “Shut your jinxing mouth!”

The unfortunate bodyguard, under everyone’s gaze, had no choice but to follow his volatile, ferocious employer upstairs. Nearly every guest could guess the brutal humiliation and punishment awaiting him.

No one who angered Young Master Yu had ever come out unscathed.

Before leaving, Bai Zhao glanced back at Fei Zheng, who raised his glass slightly, his regretful expression seeming to sympathize with the torment Bai Zhao was about to endure.

After all, Yu Duqiu had those “twisted hobbies.” Who knew what perverse methods he’d use to discipline his disobedient pet?

Moments later, dragged into the bedroom and pinned against the wall, Bai Zhao indeed faced immediate “discipline.”

Cool lips pressed against his slapped cheek, soon warming with friction. The person in his arms held him tightly, leaving no gap, their low, husky voice so close it seemed to echo in his mind. “Does it hurt, hmm?”

His fingers wove into the silver hair before him, gently tugging back, forcing the other to look up. “Was this really necessary, young master?”

“How else could I convince them if I’m not harsh?”

“I think you just wanted an excuse to punish me.”

“Punish? There’s not even a mark.” Yu Duqiu touched his now-faded cheek. “My body’s covered in marks you left, little beast.”

His pampered fingers, smooth as silk and faintly warm, felt like a summer evening breeze, turning the cool autumn air increasingly sultry—

“Ahem!” An untimely cough blared through the earpiece. “Didn’t mean to interrupt, Yu, but nice move. Fits your style, making everyone think you’re disciplining Bai Zhao… Perfect, we can use this time to plan the next steps—”

“Oh, sorry, forgot you were listening.” Yu Duqiu apologized sincerely. “I’ll turn it off. Contact me in an hour and a half.”

“???”

Yu Duqiu removed the Bluetooth earpiece, tossing it onto the dresser, then yanked Bai Zhao’s tie, closing the distance between them to nothing. “Time’s short. Do I need to tell you what to do?”

Bai Zhao gripped his jaw but hesitated to kiss him. “While I was gone, did you mess with anyone else?”

Yu Duqiu, stubborn under pressure, didn’t defend himself, instead retorting boldly, “What if I did? You gonna control me?”

Bai Zhao didn’t hold back this time, grabbing his collar, lifting him, and flipping him against the wall, reversing their positions. His taut, handsome face darkened. “What did you promise me in the secret room? Forgotten already?”

“I said if you came out safe, I’d say something you wanted to hear.” Yu Duqiu grinned mischievously. “Didn’t say when. Maybe fifty years from now?”

Bai Zhao’s hopes crashed, his eyes dimming, long lashes casting disappointed shadows over his dark gaze. In an instant, the fierce wolf became a pitiful stray dog.

“Fifty years from now, I’ll be old and ugly. You won’t spare me a glance, might even have guards throw me out.”

Pure acting. Yu Duqiu thought. Can’t play tough, so he plays pitiful—classic move.

But damn if it didn’t work on him.

“No way I’d throw you out. After all we’ve been through, I’m not that heartless.”

Bai Zhao looked up, his eyes holding complex emotions, but he only mumbled, “How’s that impossible?”

Yu Duqiu didn’t catch it but had teased enough. He grabbed Bai Zhao’s hand, pressing it to his chest, letting him feel the pounding heartbeat. “Fifty years from now, if my heart’s still beating, it’ll probably sound like this: thump, thump…”

Bai Zhao stared, confused.

“Can’t tell?” Yu Duqiu leaned forward, whispering against his ear with a soft laugh. “Let me translate… It’s saying, because of you, it has a reason to beat.”