BL Ch140

Three days later.

The West Suburban Villa, as its name suggested, was located in the western suburbs of Pingyi City. Its vast grounds, tranquil environment, and elegant classical architecture made it a popular venue for private events hosted by the wealthy, with a daily rental fee exceeding hundreds of thousands of yuan.

Although its amenities and luxury paled in comparison to Palace One, which occupied an entire mountaintop, only a handful of families in Pingyi could afford to rent this place for a birthday celebration.

The entire Luo family had moved into the palatial Chinese-style villa the previous night. Their family wasn’t particularly large, three generations occupying only seven or eight guest rooms, leaving over a dozen rooms for guests who wished to stay overnight after the banquet.

Chairman Luo, over sixty and nearing seventy, his health weakened by years of hard work, rarely ventured out. Even when staying elsewhere, he usually rested indoors. Today, however, he rose early, setting up a rattan table in the courtyard with its small bridge and flowing water, engaging in a game of chess with a guest.

“It’s been years. What brings you here?”

The white-haired man sitting opposite him sipped his freshly brewed Longjing tea and said with a smile, “It’s all because of my worrisome grandson.”

Luo Mao made the first move, advancing two pawns. He chuckled in response, “Your grandson secretly used his connections to reach out to my people. I pretended not to know and had them send two invitations. He should be coming tonight. I wonder what he’s up to, being so sneaky.”

Yu Youhai cautiously advanced a pawn, shaking his head slightly. “He’s here to investigate the orphanage’s donors. Old Peng told me.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Luo Mao’s face. He paused before taking the offered piece, a hint of schadenfreude in his voice. “You old fox, your tail’s finally being caught. What, don’t want him to know? You can’t hide it forever. You’ve achieved what you set out to do all those years ago. It shouldn’t matter if you tell him now.”

Yu Youhai gave a wry smile. “Why do you make me sound like that old thief Pei?”

“Aren’t you?” Luo Mao teased. “Sending such a young child to your enemy, using him for revenge. Pretty heartless.”

“Heaven knows, if I did that, I’d be struck by lightning.” Yu Youhai raised his hand in oath, then lowered it, picking up his next chess piece.

The ivory pieces weren’t as ostentatious as gold or silver, but they possessed a warm, jade-like quality, reflecting the old man’s playing style – not aggressive, not impatient, seemingly harmless, yet every move carefully calculated.

“That child carries too much hatred. He insisted on going himself; I couldn’t stop him. I could only offer a little help…” Yu Youhai stroked the chess piece, his gaze drifting from the board, lost in the vast courtyard. “And guess what? The boy couldn’t bear it and ran away. And where did he escape to? Right here.”

“Here?” Luo Mao stared, then pointed at the ground. “You mean here? The West Suburban Villa? Why would he come here?”

Yu Youhai sighed. “His family died early, and he didn’t want to burden other relatives. In this world, he only had one person he cared about, and that person happened to be here at the time.”

Luo Mao was so engrossed in the story he forgot about the game. He vaguely recalled that the Yu family had indeed rented this place once, for… a farewell party before going abroad. He seemed to have attended with his family.

“What happened then? How did he end up going back?”

Yu Youhai, also losing interest in the game, casually dropped his piece. “What happened next… I’m ashamed to say. My foolish grandson, to this day, doesn’t know what a grave mistake he made.”

“That brat protected him too, wouldn’t let me tell him, afraid he’d blame himself. I think he should repent and treat the boy well in the future.”

“That’s why he specifically called and asked me… to keep an eye on your grandson tonight, not let him be alone with mine. Sorry to trouble you.”

As evening approached, red lanterns adorned the eaves of the West Suburban Villa, creating a festive atmosphere.

Elder Luo was born at the end of the Republican era, so the birthday banquet was themed accordingly. Women wore qipaos, men wore suits, and guests arrived in vintage cars, transferring to horse-drawn carriages at the entrance before walking the red carpet to the banquet hall.

Ji Lin didn’t have an invitation but carried his police ID, which granted him access almost anywhere in Pingyi.

The security guard at the entrance, seeing his ID, remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the people behind him. After a moment, he snapped the ID shut, returned it, and said languidly, “Go ahead. Pay attention to the dress code next time.”

Ji Lin snatched his ID back, retorting, “I’m on official business, not here for pleasure.”

He waved off the offer of a carriage ride. “Follow me! Don’t be corrupted by these extravagant rich people!”

He dragged two tagalongs behind him: Lu Qing, there to assist with any unforeseen circumstances, and Bai Zhao, who had appeared unexpectedly, clearly unable to secure an invitation and relying on his police ID.

All three were in casual clothes, like commoners who had wandered into a royal palace, walking along the side as luxurious vintage carriages passed by.

Lu Qing felt the horses’ snorts were mocking them. “It’s so much better attending banquets with Mr. Yu. Last time in Charlotte, we were so glamorous. Why is it so shabby with you, Captain Ji?”

Ji Lin wore a leather jacket over his summer t-shirt, seemingly borrowed from his father, his standard autumn attire until the temperature dropped below ten degrees.

“You’ve been corrupted by that Yu. Don’t forget what we’re here for.”

Lu Qing hadn’t forgotten her duty. Peng Deyu had sent them to keep an eye on a certain young master who was socializing immediately after having his cast removed. Ji Lin was clearly eager, as Mu Hao had mentioned in the car that he would be attending as well.

Lu Qing counted on her fingers. Of the five people present, four were men and one woman, and she, the “one woman,” was the only third wheel. What a world!

Working overtime was one thing, but couldn’t they at least provide a decent dress so she could shine on her own?

Then Lu Qing noticed that Bai Zhao wasn’t wearing a suit either, just a plain black t-shirt and black pants. The colors were so similar she hadn’t noticed earlier.

“Bai Zhao, why aren’t you wearing a suit? Don’t you usually wear matching outfits with Mr. Yu?”

Bai Zhao walked forward, expressionless. “I’m staying elsewhere these days. I didn’t bring a suit.”

Lu Qing was surprised. “You two are living apart? Did you have a fight?”

“You’ll have to ask Captain Ji about that.”

Ji Lin stumbled, feeling a pang of guilt, but maintained a defiant tone. “I was investigating a case, not intentionally separating you two.”

Fortunately, Bai Zhao didn’t seem to mind, changing the subject. “Did Pei Zhuo cause any more trouble?”

Ji Lin breathed a sigh of relief. “No, he calmed down. I heard someone helped him out. The partners who cancelled their orders are all coming back. Was that your doing? Brother Mu said you made a deal with Pei Ming. You’re quite influential, even Yu Duqiu’s mother is willing to help you.”

Bai Zhao shook his head. “It wasn’t my influence.” He didn’t elaborate on who it was.

The three continued walking towards the brightly lit villa, their shadows stretching long behind them under the streetlights.

The security guard checking invitations let a group of guests through, watching their carriage depart before grabbing his walkie-talkie, relaying the message to his colleagues inside the banquet hall: “Attention, attention, target sighted!”

The red carpet wasn’t just filled with wealthy elites, but also celebrities. Although Chairman Luo’s grandson wasn’t particularly successful in the entertainment industry, his amiable personality had earned him many friends. To celebrate his grandfather’s birthday, he had invited several famous actors and singers to add to the occasion’s grandeur.

As Ji Lin and the others finally reached the entrance, these celebrities were stepping onto the red carpet, flashes illuminating the night, making their simple attire seem even more out of place.

“Damn it, move aside, let the police through.” Ji Lin tried to push through the crowd.

“Police?” A long-haired man in front of him turned around and stepped aside. “Please, go ahead.”

“Ah, thanks.” Ji Lin found him familiar, staring for a second before realizing he had seen him in a TV drama.

A security guard, seeing him cut the line, rushed over to stop him. “Sir, please wait your turn. You can walk the red carpet soon.”

Ji Lin chuckled wryly. “Who cares about the red carpet? I’m here to find someone. Have you seen a man with white hair?”

“White hair? Many of the older guests tonight have white hair.”

“No, a young man.”

The guard paused. “Young and white-haired… are you referring to the gentleman behind you?”

At those words, all three turned around simultaneously–

A pure white horse with a flowing mane trotted towards them, stopping precisely at the start of the red carpet, its head held high, its posture elegant, clearly a noble steed, unlike the other horses pulling carriages.

The more Lu Qing looked at the horse, the more familiar it seemed. Didn’t it look a lot like… Yu Duqiu’s Little Bai? He could even bring his own transportation? How flashy.

The person who dismounted confirmed her suspicions.

Yu Duqiu never blended in. His wardrobe always contained the perfect outfit for any occasion. For tonight’s Republican-era themed banquet, most men wore black suits, perhaps with some variations in stripes or fabric, fitting the theme but also monotonous. They couldn’t compare to the women’s vibrant and elaborate qipaos.

But Yu Duqiu’s entrance instantly evened the score.

Over his standard three-piece suit, he wore a long, double-breasted overcoat, instantly boosting his presence. He walked with an air of effortless grace, the simple black perfectly accentuating his silver hair. No one could look away.

Lu Qing heard a loud gulp beside her and knew without looking who it was. Amused, she turned to Ji Lin and whispered, “Captain Ji, Bai Zhao is mesmerized–”

Then she heard a closer gulp.

Ji Lin stared straight ahead, a blush creeping up his ears and across his face.

Lu Qing: “?”

She followed her captain’s gaze and, seeing the person who had followed Yu Duqiu out of the carriage, instantly understood.

Mu Hao, steadied by Yu Duqiu’s hand, stepped down from the carriage and slowly straightened up.

His back, once hunched from weakness, now stood tall – even taller than Yu Duqiu, almost level with Bai Zhao. The well-tailored suit complemented his slender frame, and the red carpet lights illuminated his face, smoothing out the slight hollowness that hadn’t yet filled out.

The once vibrant top student of the Public Security University, the admired and outstanding young criminal investigator, the number one on the city bureau’s unofficial looks ranking, the Officer Mu who unknowingly captured the hearts of countless female officers – it was as if he had never endured the past year’s suffering, standing before them healthy and unchanged.

Lu Qing was also stunned. “Officer Mu is so handsome… Is this his first time wearing a suit?”

“No… it’s his second.” Ji Lin recovered, his voice soft. “He wore one on our university graduation night.”

Yu Duqiu, mindful of Mu Hao’s health, walked slowly. Reaching them, he took off his overcoat and tossed it onto Bai Zhao as if he were a coat rack, saying nothing before heading inside.

Ji Lin, just a step away from Mu Hao, abruptly turned and followed Yu Duqiu.

Lu Qing was baffled. “What are they doing? Ditching their partners?”

Bai Zhao adjusted Yu Duqiu’s coat on his arm, ignoring her question, and followed swiftly.

Mu Hao, coughing slightly, approached her and greeted her politely. “Officer Lu, good evening.”

Lu Qing was flattered. Mu Hao’s rank was far above hers. She immediately stood at attention and reported, “Good evening, Officer Mu! I’ve finished investigating the matter you asked me about last time!”

Mu Hao smiled. “Thank you, that was efficient. What were the results?”

Lu Qing looked around conspiratorially, leaning closer and cupping her hand to his ear. “I interviewed the five cafeteria ladies at the bureau. According to their statements, our captain eats at the cafeteria ten times a week on average, seven times ordering rice and three times noodles, almost always with chili. Also, one lady recently saw him enter a spicy hot pot restaurant alone. In conclusion, inviting him to a Sichuan restaurant or hot pot place for a date– I mean, for dinner, would be a good choice.”

Mu Hao beamed. “That’s wonderful! Thanks to your help, I wouldn’t have known what to treat him to.”

Lu Qing, preening at the praise, patted his shoulder. “It was nothing. Our captain is in your hands now, Officer Mu.”

Ji Lin stopped at the entrance, hesitated, then turned back for another glance at the exceptionally handsome Mu Hao.

He happened to see Lu Qing’s small, fair hand patting Mu Hao’s broad shoulder, Mu Hao nodding seriously in response, as if agreeing to something.

Ji Lin looked down at his own tanned hand, sighing once more at his wishful thinking, and turned to enter the brightly lit banquet hall.

The next second, the person he had been gazing at also looked towards him, but only caught his retreating figure.

Lu Qing, pleased with the agreement, asked curiously, “Officer Mu, why are you attending this banquet? Could it be… that Mr. Yu has another secret plan?”

“Ah? Um… he’s here to investigate something.” Mu Hao seemed distracted. “I wasn’t planning on coming, but Bai Zhao mentioned Xiao Ji would be here, and I… wanted to talk to him.”