BL Ch17

Early the next morning.

Hong Liangzhang was woken up by his own alarm clock. It took him a moment to remember what he needed to do. He called an internal line and instructed a male servant to send the boy in the guest room away without waking Yu Duqiu. The servant acknowledged the order and hung up, but five minutes later, the news came that Yu Duqiu was not in his room.

Slightly surprised, Hong Liangzhang put on his coat and reading glasses and personally went to the main building to search. Although he was older and no longer needed to involve himself in many tasks, he still felt he had to personally supervise the ever-unruly young master.

He searched all the guest rooms in the main building, but Yu Duqiu was nowhere to be found. The guards hadn’t reported any news of Yu Duqiu leaving the premises the previous night. Just as Hong Liangzhang was about to check the surveillance footage, he faintly heard some sounds coming from the study on the third floor.

Following the sound, he pushed open the study door—

Two men were sitting face-to-face on either side of a mahogany table, playing chess.

And it was only seven in the morning.

Yu Duqiu, upon hearing someone enter, didn’t turn his head. He wore a bathrobe under an oversized suit jacket, held a chess piece in one hand, and supported his temple with the other. His eyes were half-closed with fatigue, hair falling onto the chessboard, and the glass of alcohol next to him was already empty.

In stark contrast, Bai Zhao, sitting opposite him, was upright and composed. “Young master, can’t hold on?”

Yu Duqiu was startled awake by the comment, immediately sitting up straight and stifling a yawn. “Are you kidding… I’m perfectly fine. Are you the one who’s tired?”

“I’m not tired.”

“…Fine, let’s play another round.”

“We’re just getting started. It’s your move.”

Within two sentences, Yu Duqiu’s eyes were drooping again. “Okay… I’ll move…”

Yet, he made no move, and his head drooped lower and lower, about to be poked by the crown of the king piece.

Bai Zhao reached out in time, palm supporting Yu Duqiu’s forehead, and deftly took the pawn from his hand. Circling halfway around the table, he pulled Yu Duqiu towards himself.

Having stayed up all night, Yu Duqiu felt his forehead touch something soft and elastic, thinking it was his bedroom’s latex pillow. With his nerves relaxing, he fully succumbed to sleep.

Bai Zhao bent down, hooked his arm under Yu Duqiu’s knees, and effortlessly carried him, nodding to Hong Liangzhang and the servants at the door as a greeting.

Understanding Yu Duqiu’s temperament well, Hong Liangzhang made no sound, stepped aside to make way, and followed Bai Zhao to Yu Duqiu’s bedroom. Bai Zhao gently placed Yu Duqiu on the bed. Hong Liangzhang gestured for Bai Zhao to step outside.

“I’m also tired.” Bai Zhao declared, then lay down beside Yu Duqiu, even pushing him aside a bit to make more room for himself.

The servants exchanged glances, silently asking Hong Liangzhang what to do. Hong Liangzhang, realizing their combined effort couldn’t move Bai Zhao without waking Yu Duqiu, shook his head helplessly and led everyone out, quietly closing the door behind them.

The afternoon sunlight was scorching. When Yu Duqiu awoke, the room was bathed in golden light. The clouds outside the window were gilded by the sunset, resembling… golden, crispy fried chicken.

He touched his stomach, which had gone without food for a day, and couldn’t help but swallow.

At dinner, the kitchen served a plate of crispy fried chicken coated with 24k edible gold leaf. Chef Dong Yongliang personally presented it. “Young master, your order of ‘golden fried chicken.'”

Yu Duqiu couldn’t help but laugh. “Chef Dong, did you take a reading comprehension test? ‘Golden’ just refers to the color. I just wanted the common fried chicken you find everywhere. You made it so fancy it’s lost its flavor.”

Chef Dong quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I’ll fry another plate…”

Yu Duqiu waved his hand. “Forget it. I’ll make do with this.”

The expensive gold-leafed fried chicken mostly ended up in Lou Baoguo’s stomach; Yu Duqiu only had a small piece.

After the meal, the servants cleared the dishes, laid out a clean tablecloth, and Hong Liangzhang had them warm the cups before brewing a pot of Jasmine Silver Needle tea. The pure white buds floated in the clear tea, resembling tiny snowflakes.

Lou Baoguo frowned. “Uncle Hong, why are we having flower tea with a table full of men?”

Hong Liangzhang smiled. “The young master specifically requested it.”

Lou Baoguo reconsidered. “On second thought, it is refreshing in hot weather. The jasmine smells wonderful. Not bad at all.”

Yu Duqiu offered an apologetic glance to the brooding man beside him. “You like white flowers, right? I accidentally hurt you earlier, so this is an apology.”

Bai Zhao absentmindedly swirled his teacup, a bruise visible on his chin. “Is this how you usually treat your bedmates?”

Lou Baoguo almost choked. “Pfft—”

Zhou Yi: “??”

Hong Liangzhang calmly explained while absolving himself. “The young master doesn’t like waking up with someone else in his bed. I advised you, but you didn’t listen and insisted on lying down to rest. You can’t blame anyone else. Besides, the young master didn’t kick you that hard; it’s just bad luck you hit your chin.”

Lou Baoguo and Zhou Yi sighed in relief. “So that’s what happened. We thought—”

Bai Zhao: “You want to sleep with others but don’t allow them to lie next to you. Are they just tools for your gratification?”

Yu Duqiu sipped his tea and retorted, “Why not? There are plenty who are willing.”

Lou Baoguo also tried to mediate. “Brother, it’s all consensual. The young master doesn’t leave anyone empty-handed. Ask around, which of his lovers isn’t satisfied with him?”

“Alright, if you keep talking, he’s going to get mad again. Xiao Zhao ‘s jealousy is quite something,” Yu Duqiu chuckled, then turned and asked, “Hong Liangzhang, has Xiao Mo been sent away?”

Hong Liangzhang replied, “Not yet, I’ve arranged for him to rest in a guest room, thinking you might need him tonight.”

“No need, send him back. Prepare a gift; we can’t let him come for nothing,” Yu Duqiu said lazily. “And tell Uncle Chen not to send him next time. He’s too clumsy; he messed up my chessboard.”

Hong Liangzhang, embarrassed, said, “Understood.”

Yu Duqiu’s unpredictable mood swings were often criticized, but once people received his valuable apology gifts, their criticism often turned into admiration. Just like Fang Xiaomo, who had waited all night in vain but instantly beamed with joy upon receiving a thick red envelope. He thought to himself, “This Mr. Yu sure has a unique personality! Just chatting with him brings so many benefits.” He even regretted not having been slept with, thinking the red envelope might have been even thicker.

“I really wish I could enjoy these comfortable days a bit longer,” Yu Duqiu said as he put down his teacup, leaned back in his dining chair, and scanned the room like a king surveying his subjects. “But unfortunately, we’ll have to trouble everyone to make a trip.”

Lou Baoguo perked up, “Finally, some fieldwork! To be honest, I’ve been bored out of my mind staying indoors for so many days.”

Yu Duqiu replied, “Not only are we going out, but we also have to go abroad.”

“Where to?”

“Old North State, to meet a pioneer in brain-computer interfaces, Professor Miguel.”

Lou Baoguo, whose English was poor, only caught the first syllable, “Mi-what?”

“…Professor Miguel. He once enabled a young man with quadriplegia to play soccer using a brain-computer interface. He’s a leading expert in this field, renowned both domestically and internationally. If we can gain his endorsement, our support for the Themis project will surely increase, and the media will stop fixating on the ‘curse theory.’ It will also reassure the city government.” Yu Duqiu added, “I have to thank Bai Zhao for playing chess with me last night. Even though his chess skills are terrible and made me want to flip the board, it at least got my brain working and helped me clear my thoughts.”

Zhou Yi hesitantly asked, “But going to the U.S. now would mean leaving the protection and surveillance of the police. Isn’t that too dangerous?”

Yu Duqiu replied, “That’s why I’m hiring you all. As usual, we need to set up a new code word. Old Zhou, come with me. The rest of you, stay put.”

“Alright,” Zhou Yi stood up and followed him, not knowing where they were going.

Lou Baoguo, rubbing his hands together in excitement, said, “Great! Once we get to the U.S., I can handle guns again! Brother, have you ever fired a gun before?”

Bai Zhao, sipping his tea slowly due to his injured chin, savored the jasmine aroma and said, “Yes, during a business trip abroad to escort jewelry, I had to carry a gun. What was the code word he mentioned just now?”

Lou Baoguo explained, “It’s one of the young master’s security measures. He has a personal code word with each of his close subordinates to ensure they can act unexpectedly in an emergency. Each code word can only be used once and must be replaced after use.”

“What kind of code word?”

“Hey, that’s a secret. Only the young master knows everyone’s code word, and no one is allowed to inquire about others’.”

Bai Zhao nodded, not probing further, and instead asked, “Does he often encounter danger?”

Lou Baoguo, with a hearty laugh, replied, “Absolutely. Given the young master’s wealth, there are plenty of people with bad intentions towards him. It’s said that the young master was even kidnapped as a child. Hong Bo probably knows more about it.”

Hong Liangzhang, sitting across from them, sighed upon hearing this, “That happened over a decade ago, and it’s not much of a secret. But I don’t know many details either. Mr. Yu’s father had the incident covered up, so few people are aware of the full story. I just remember that I was still working for the old master then, and the young master was in primary school. The family driver, who was responsible for picking him up, kidnapped him and took him to a remote area. Fortunately, the young master was resilient and survived unscathed.”

Eager for details, Lou Baoguo couldn’t help but ask, “Was the young master injured?”

“Minor injuries were inevitable, but nothing serious. He recovered quickly. The real damage was here—” Hong Liangzhang pointed to his head, “Being held captive for three days in a pitch-dark room with little food or water, and witnessing the kidnappers’ death… It was extremely traumatic for a nine-year-old. The young master had nightmares for a long time and became very fragile mentally, even somewhat dissociative. He couldn’t attend school, so his parents sent him to a hospital where his grandfather used to work for a long period of rest and treatment before he gradually recovered.”

“No wonder the young master…” Lou Baoguo, initially wanting to say ‘thinks differently from others,’ rephrased, “No wonder the young master always has unique ideas. It seems he’s turned adversity into advantage!”

Bai Zhao unexpectedly asked, “Would you want that kind of ‘advantage’?”

Lou Baoguo, startled by Bai Zhao’s sudden anger, timidly replied, “I just wanted to praise the young master…”

By the time Yu Duqiu had finished setting up new code words for everyone, it was already evening.

To ensure absolute safety, the police had been notified. Upon hearing the news, Ji Lin immediately brought his hapless sidekick, Lu Qing, to relay Peng Deyu’s instructions, “You can go abroad, but as a key person involved in the case and a potential target for the killer, you must be accompanied by our officers. You can stay for a maximum of three days; otherwise, we’ll have to bring you back.”

Yu Duqiu, who was walking his dogs on the lawn, chuckled upon hearing this, “There’s no need to trouble yourselves, Captain Ji. You’re very busy; the task force needs you, and so do the people of Pingyi City.”

Ji Lin, young and quick to learn, had already mastered the art of politicking with him. After dismissing Lu Qing, he walked alongside Yu Duqiu, “Your safety is crucial to the progress of this case and the future of Pingyi City’s tech industry. You’re more important than I am. Besides, you’re one of the people too, and protecting you is my duty.”

Yu Duqiu, amused, said, “You’re too kind, really. There’s no need. Don’t you police officers need higher-level approval to leave the country? The application process must be lengthy and complicated. I’m leaving the day after tomorrow; you might not make it in time.”

Ji Lin replied, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m just a section-level officer. Only those at the division level and above need to submit their passports. Small fry like me can go abroad anytime.”

“I see,” Yu Duqiu appeared to concede, took out his phone, and looked at it for a few minutes. He then said, “It’s rare to have the chance to work with you, Captain Ji. Unfortunately, I just checked the tickets, and all flights to North Carolina the day after tomorrow are sold out. It’s almost summer vacation, so tickets are really in demand.”

Ji Lin sneered, “Oh? Could it be that some bored rich kid bought all the tickets just now?”

“Haha, there’s no way someone like that exists.”

“I think so too, but it doesn’t matter. I heard that Mr. Yu always travels by private jet? Surely there’s room for one more?”

“Unfortunately, I lent my plane to an old classmate recently.”

“Really? But as far as I know, your old classmate Peizhuo returned from the U.S. a week ago.”

“…Captain Ji, you seem to know a bit too much.” Yu Duqiu tightened the dog leash and stopped walking. The two Dobermans, sensing their owner’s hostility, bared their sharp teeth. He dropped his smile and seriously asked, “Why are you keeping tabs on Peizhuo? Do you think he’s a suspect?”

Ji Lin replied just as seriously, “Mr. Yu, our police force doesn’t take salaries for nothing. Bo Zhiming worked at Pei’s company before his death, and Peizhuo happened to attend the banquet where Yu Wencheng had his incident. Don’t tell me someone as smart as you hasn’t suspected the Pei family.”

Yu Duqiu stared at him for a while, then suddenly laughed, more sincerely this time, and extended his hand. “With a sharp and talented young officer like you guarding us, this trip will surely be very safe.”

Ji Lin courteously shook his hand. “Of course.”

“However, this trip might come with various unexpected situations. How’s your physical fitness?”

Ji Lin chuckled. “You don’t need to worry about that. At the police academy, my physical fitness scores were only second to Mu. Last year, I won three first-place titles at the department’s sports meet…” As he spoke, he suddenly realized they were shaking hands.

Yu Duqiu’s right hand was holding his own.

And the dog leash was gone.

The two Dobermans stared menacingly, growling deeply like engines about to start.

Alarm bells rang in Ji Lin’s head, and he turned to run!

“Woof woof woof!!”

Yu Duqiu laughed heartily and shouted, “Captain Ji! I’ve always wanted to see if my ‘Chief’ can outrun a real police captain! If you survive, you’re welcome to board the plane the day after tomorrow!”

Amid the distant barking of the Dobermans, Ji Lin’s anguished shout echoed, “Yu Duqiu! Damn you! You’re absolutely insane!”

In the sunset, one man and two dogs sprinted with all their might.

Today’s evening glow seemed unusually vivid, like blood seeping into the sky, the earth, and through the open windows of the study on the third floor—

The gold and silver chess pieces, bathed in a reddish hue, stood silently facing each other, exuding a sense of impending battle. The chess game, interrupted earlier in the morning, had just begun. The gold queen had yet to move, loyally and proudly stationed beside the king, looking down on the other pieces, as if patiently waiting for the moment to unleash its power.

Fighting for the king was an honor, even though it was clear that, at this moment, he was merely a pawn in the king’s eyes, a small and insignificant sacrifice.