BL Ch41

At nine o’clock in the evening, a Pullman car slowly traveled west under a starless night sky, thick as ink. The distant horizon resembled an impenetrable black net, waiting for foolish prey to fall into its trap.

As they passed through the bustling city, the car was stuck in eastbound traffic, preventing the gas pedal from fully pressing down. Yu Duqiu stared out the window, resting his chin on his hand, tapping his cheek with his fingertips rhythmically.

It was the same song again.

The dazzling city lights reflected in his pale eyes, making them strikingly bright. Yet, it was only a fleeting illusion, leaving no trace behind, which made his gaze seem even colder.

From the driver’s seat, Zhou Yi carefully glanced at the back, sensing the low mood. He remained silent throughout the drive. Lou Baoguo, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn’t hold back any longer. He patted his growling stomach and, like an alarm clock, complained every five minutes, “Old Zhou, drive faster! I’m starving. Man is iron, food is steel. If I skip a meal, I’ll die!”

Zhou Yi wished he could shove the gear stick into Lou’s nonstop mouth, but luckily, Yu Duqiu wasn’t upset, not even sparing him a glance.

During the post-work traffic peak, most cars were heading from downtown to the suburbs. Although they avoided the most congested routes, the speed remained slow. The luxury car’s features were of no use, and it would be at least another hour before they reached home.

Just as Zhou Yi was about to suggest stopping at a nearby five-star hotel for dinner, he heard a voice from the backseat, “Are you hungry?”

Hearing this, Yu Duqiu finally responded, “I’m fine.” He continued looking out the window.

“You barely had a few sips of cold soup today,” Bai Zhao turned his head slightly to look at him, his neck injury limiting his movement. As a result, he twisted his body a bit awkwardly, but his gaze was serious. “What do you want to eat? I can cook when we get back.”

Lou Baoguo quickly chimed in, “Thank you, big brother! I’d like lobster noodles!”

Zhou Yi snapped, “Who asked you?”

“Alright, let’s have noodles. Let Chef Wei prepare them. You’ve all had a long day, no need to tire yourselves out,” Yu Duqiu finally withdrew his gaze, leaning into the wide leather seat, massaging his temples with his eyes closed. “Don’t bother preparing anything for me. Today’s incident can’t be contained. It might make the news tomorrow. I’ve already had Feihua draft a few PR plans, and I’ll have a meeting with him and the other managers later. Ah, no avoiding the inevitable meetings.”

Bai Zhao insisted, “All the more reason to eat something.”

“I don’t like repeating myself.”

“But you’ll keep doubting the same person repeatedly, won’t you?”

Yu Duqiu’s eyes snapped open. His expression was so cold that the summer heat instantly receded, and it seemed as if frost could form on the car window.

“Words spoken are in the past and won’t change, but people do change,” Yu Duqiu’s gaze shifted back to the city lights outside. “The brighter the light, the easier it is to blind you. The closer someone is, the easier it is to forget your guard.”

An awkward silence filled the car, even Lou Baoguo sensed the off-kilter atmosphere and gave Zhou Yi a subtle look.

The car stopped at a red light, and Zhou Yi, receiving the signal, could only slowly shake his head.

Yu Duqiu’s suspicious nature wasn’t anything new, nor was it directed specifically at them. They’d been his subordinates for years, and unless something unforeseen happened, they would continue to serve him. There was no need to take it personally. But for the newcomer, that might be another story—being doubted repeatedly would get under anyone’s skin.

The car was calm, but undercurrents stirred beneath the surface.

The red light counted down from twenty seconds, and Zhou Yi prepared to accelerate.

“Get out with me.”

“?” The three others in the car turned to look.

Bai Zhao, without waiting for any reaction, had already made up his mind and got out of the car. He jogged around the length of the vehicle, opened the door, leaned into the backseat, and grabbed Yu Duqiu’s arm. “Come on.”

Yu Duqiu was taken aback, then chuckled, “What on earth are you doing? Zhou, why’d you even let him open the door?”

Zhou Yi awkwardly moved his hand away from the door control. “Well, if there’s anyone among us who can make you happy, it’s probably Xiao Bai.”

“He’s made me angry far more often than he’s made me happy.” Despite his words, Yu Duqiu swung one leg out of the car. “Fine, you’re injured; I suppose you won’t hurt me. You two find somewhere to stop and grab something to eat. I’ll call you later.”

The light turned green, and the cars at the intersection began to move again.

Bai Zhao dragged him across the street in the last second before the light turned.

Two men, dressed sharply in suits, walked hand in hand through the busy streets. The scene was oddly familiar, though this time, the setting had changed from a remote foreign country to their bustling hometown. There were no gun-wielding kidnappers chasing them, and their pace had slowed considerably. It almost felt like a casual stroll.

“Where to this time? Shopping again?” Yu Duqiu stuffed his hands into his pockets, lazily following along.

Pedestrians passing by would give them a second glance, but in a big city full of strange fashion styles, no one paid them much mind. Everyone was too busy with their own lives.

Even in the midst of a crowded city, some people are like isolated islands, unknown and unwilling to be known by others.

Bai Zhao didn’t turn around, holding Yu Duqiu’s injured hand gently, “We’re going to eat.”

“I don’t eat at places like this.”

“Don’t be so delicate.”

Yu Duqiu raised an eyebrow and, with a swift motion, pulled his hand free. “You’re young, but bold.”

Bai Zhao turned, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Just come with me to eat.”

As Yu Duqiu was about to brush off his hand, a hurried passerby bumped into him, pushing him into Bai Zhao’s arms. Looking up, he saw the bandage on Bai Zhao’s neck and the faint red mark left by his own grip earlier.

He couldn’t decide if this person was foolish or mad.

Ten years ago, Bai Zhao had taken his drunken joke seriously, and now, ten years later, he was willing to risk his life for him.

Either a complete fool or a deliberate performer.

“I know what you’re thinking. After today’s incident, I’m the prime suspect.” Bai Zhao held him, subtly guiding them through the crowd without getting jostled. “I was the first to know you were going to the company. Among everyone who knew, I’ve spent the least amount of time with you. It’s normal for you to doubt me. But you heard Pei Ming’s words too. At least in that matter, I didn’t lie to you. And didn’t you promise me compensation this morning? Can’t you at least have a meal with me?”

The night breeze tousled Yu Duqiu’s hair, partially obscuring his handsome face, but not his usual arrogant expression. “It sounds nice, but everyone says that at first. Slowly, they start asking for more—money, cars, houses… In the end, they all want to bleed me dry to fill their own greed.”

Bai Zhao smiled. “If you don’t give them a chance, no one can break into your heart. Or are you afraid that you might give me a chance?”

Yu Duqiu lazily replied, “I won’t give you a chance, but I’m always fair with rewards and punishments. Since you told the truth, I’ll reward you. But I really don’t like eating at random places. I’ll accompany you for a bite.”

On the bustling streets between eight and nine o’clock, the city had no shortage of people. Outside shopping malls, the squares were brightly lit, and eager employees handed out flyers, competing for business.

Yu Duqiu thought, at worst, they would go to a modest restaurant where the average meal cost a couple hundred yuan. He didn’t particularly enjoy such places, but they should at least be clean…

That was until he stood in front of a pair of glass doors, staring at the large red tape letters that read “Homestyle Stir-Fry, Rice Noodles and Rice Bowls.”

Bai Zhao pushed open the door to the small shop. Inside, the air conditioning was blasting, sending a refreshing breeze that instantly dispelled the oppressive summer heat, making them feel more alert.

“Come in,” Bai Zhao held the door open.

“…” Yu Duqiu walked into the small, 20-square-meter street-side eatery with a calm expression. “You’d better have a good reason for this, or you’ll be sleeping with the dogs tonight.”

“There are too many people in the mall. You were just on the news recently. Are you hoping no one will recognize you?” Bai Zhao found an empty table by the wall. The wall was plastered with the shop’s menu, along with some sample pictures clearly taken from the internet.

“I’ll have the fish-flavored pork over rice. What about you?” Bai Zhao turned to see Yu Duqiu still standing. “Why aren’t you sitting?”

“I’m thinking about leaving you here.”

Passersby would glance at him a couple of times, but in a big city where so many people sport strange styles, everyone was too busy to dwell on it. They’d notice and forget; no one cared enough to remember.

Even in the bustling crowd, some people remained like isolated islands, unknown to others and unwilling to be known.

Bai Zhao didn’t turn back, gripping his injured hand firmly but not tightly. “Let’s go eat.”

“I don’t eat at places like this.”

“Don’t be so picky.”

Yu Duqiu raised an eyebrow, exerted some force, and pulled his hand free. “You’re young, but you have quite the nerve.”

Bai Zhao turned around and put his arm around Yu Duqiu’s shoulders. “Just consider it a meal with me.”

As Yu Duqiu was about to shake off his hand, he was unexpectedly bumped by a hurried passerby, stumbling into Bai Zhao’s arms. Looking up, he noticed the bandaged neck and the faint red mark left by his own grip.

He couldn’t decide whether to call this person foolish or insane.

Ten years ago, he took his drunken jokes seriously, and now, a decade later, he was willing to risk his life for him.

Unless he was an absolute madman, he must be putting on a show.

“I know what you’re thinking. Today, I’m the prime suspect,” Bai Zhao said, keeping his hold on Yu Duqiu while subtly steering clear of the crowd. “I was the first to know about your trip to the company. Out of everyone who knew, I’ve spent the least time with you, so it’s only natural for you to doubt me. But you heard Pei Ming’s words too; at least regarding that party, I didn’t lie to you. What happened to the compensation we discussed this morning? Can’t you at least have a meal with me?”

The night wind was brisk, blowing Yu Duqiu’s hair askew, partially obscuring his handsome face but not the proud expression he usually wore. “That sounds nice, but everyone says that at first. Eventually, they start asking for more—money, cars, houses… In the end, they all want to bleed me dry to satisfy their greed.”

Bai Zhao smiled at him. “If you don’t give anyone a chance, how can they ever break down your defenses? Or are you afraid you might actually give me a chance?”

Yu Duqiu lazily replied, “I won’t give you a chance, but I’m always clear about rewards and punishments. If you tell the truth, I’ll reward you. But I really don’t like the chaotic food outside; I’ll just tag along and have a couple of bites with you.”

On the city streets around eight or nine o’clock, there was no shortage of people. Outside the shopping mall, the square was filled with bright lights, and eager employees handed out flyers, competing for customers.

Yu Duqiu thought that, at worst, they would end up at a small restaurant where the average meal cost around a hundred yuan. Although he wasn’t used to the food, it should still be relatively clean…

That was until he stood in front of a pair of sliding glass doors, staring at the large red tape letters that read “Homestyle Stir-Fry, Rice Noodles, and Rice Bowls.”

Bai Zhao pushed open the door to the small eatery. The air conditioning was cranked up high, and a refreshing breeze greeted them, dispelling the stifling summer heat and instantly lifting their spirits.

“Come in.” Bai Zhao held the door open.

“…” Yu Duqiu calmly stepped into the small street-side eatery, which was no more than twenty square meters, “You’d better have a good reason for this; otherwise, I’ll be sleeping with the dogs tonight.”

“There are too many people in the mall. You were just on the news recently; are you afraid no one will recognize you?” Bai Zhao casually found an empty table by the wall, where the menu was plastered in colorful paper, complete with sample pictures that looked like they were taken from the internet.

“I’ll have the fish-flavored pork over rice. What about you?” Bai Zhao turned around and noticed Yu Duqiu still standing. “Why aren’t you sitting?”

Yu Duqiu extended his index finger and wiped the wooden bench, which was gleaming from years of oil and smoke. He rubbed his fingers together. “Do you have any idea how much this hand-tailored Henry Poole suit is worth?”

“I don’t know, but I know you’re worth billions. Your stomach is probably worth several hundred million; is this suit worth more than your stomach?” Bai Zhao opened two pairs of disposable chopsticks and placed them on the plate.

The small shop was quite busy; next to them sat an elderly couple who looked like they were out for a treat, and they stared at the two of them as if they were observing two delusional individuals.

Yu Duqiu slowly sat down, resisting the urge to use a tissue to wipe the table. “I won’t eat. I don’t know what ingredients they use.”

“At least it’s not poisonous,” Bai Zhao continued to look at the menu on the wall. “I used to come to places like this often after work. After eating here for so many years, I’m still alive. No one here knows you, no one knows your likes or dislikes, no one will harm you. You can eat safely—how about adding a beef vermicelli soup?”

Yu Duqiu looked utterly speechless.

“…But eating this stuff will probably make my stomach feel worse than if I had eaten poison.”

Bai Zhao nodded toward the table next to them. “Others are enjoying their meals; don’t you think it’s rude to say that, Young Master?”

“…”

Those who have received elite education have manners ingrained in them. Even someone as unconventional as Yu Duqiu realized his words were a bit harsh, so he resigned himself and said, “You choose for me.”

In less than fifteen minutes, their meals and soup arrived. Bai Zhao took two small bowls to divide the soup while Yu Duqiu held the rough disposable bamboo chopsticks, lackluster as he flipped through the plate of bright red braised fish pieces. “Did you eat this before? Aren’t you good at cooking?”

“I’m busy with work and often traveling for business, my schedule is all messed up, and I don’t have the mood to cook,” Bai Zhao admitted, genuinely hungry. Within a short while, he had devoured half of his rice bowl. “You haven’t had fish since Master Dong left; give it a try. I just checked the kitchen; it’s quite clean, and the fish is freshly killed.”

Yu Duqiu fished around with his chopsticks, reluctantly picking up a small piece of fish and putting it in his mouth. “You should learn from Jia Jin and stop focusing too much on your boss… cough cough!”

Bai Zhao asked, “Is there a bone? Just eat.”

The famous Young Master Yu was currently choking on a tiny fishbone, his face flushed, unable to speak. In his panic, he swallowed a few mouthfuls of rice without caring about cleanliness, and after a while, he finally calmed down. He pushed the plate away in disgust. “How could they serve it without removing the bones? Is there any chef like that?”

The elderly couple at the next table looked on in disbelief.

“Sorry, he lacks common sense,” Bai Zhao apologized, pulled the plate closer, took a new pair of chopsticks, and meticulously removed the fish bones. “You finally don’t have anyone trying to harm you, and you still get hurt by a fish. What sins did you commit in your past life?”

Yu Duqiu’s anger subsided, and the sharp corners of his eyes were tinged with the faint red from earlier, making his fair complexion and silver hair stand out even more.

Even a snowflake blooming in the ice could not be as cold and beautiful.

“I don’t know about my past life, but in this life, I’ve committed quite a few sins; it’s only natural for people to be outraged.”

Bai Zhao’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he lowered his eyelashes, concentrating on picking the bones. “What sins could you have committed? At most, you might be morally corrupt and ruthless.”

“…Thanks for the compliment?”

“You’re welcome.” Bai Zhao cleared the bones, dipped the pure white fish meat in sauce, and lifted it up. “Try this.”

Yu Duqiu looked at him strangely. “Why are you feeding me? I’m not a child.”

Bai Zhao replied, “You need someone to pick the bones for you when eating fish; what else would you be if not a child?”

Yu Duqiu propped his face up and smiled slyly at him. “Then you should eat all these bones yourself, and I’ll let you feed me.”

Without saying a word, Bai Zhao went ahead and started picking out the tiny fish bones from the plate.

Swallowing one or two wouldn’t matter, but if he swallowed them all, his throat might get pierced.

Just before Bai Zhao could feed him, Yu Duqiu said, “Xiao Bai, you have a masochistic tendency, don’t you?”

Bai Zhao didn’t confirm or deny it, lifting another piece of fish with a cool expression.

He was starting to show a bit of a sadistic tendency now.

“Forget it, you’ve already been hurt today; I won’t torment you,” Yu Duqiu said, putting on the airs of someone being served, opening his mouth to eat while only half-heartedly chewing. The boneless fish was delicate and tender, and the sauce enhanced its flavor.

“It’s a bit better than I expected.”

Bai Zhao picked up another chopstick full of fish and rice. “Rent in the commercial district is expensive; a small shop that can stay open here can’t have bad flavors.”

As the night deepened, the number of customers in the small shop gradually dwindled after dinner… Some people couldn’t stand watching two men feed each other lovingly and hurried to settle their bills and leave.

Halfway through their meal, Yu Duqiu received a call from Ji Lin. After he finished the call, he said while opening his mouth, “They didn’t find any evidence that Huang Hanxiang actively used drugs.”

Bai Zhao asked while feeding him, “Will he be acquitted?”

“Yeah, as expected. Surveillance alone can’t determine if someone drugged him or if he used drugs on his own. Ji Lin sent people to check his rented apartment and communication records, and everything was fine. They did find tens of thousands in cash, which he claimed was his savings, but the police couldn’t determine if it was illegal proceeds. He didn’t steal any business secrets from me either, so they can only release him after 24 hours. But how could they not even find evidence that he contacted Pei Ming? That’s ridiculous. Does he have some kind of telepathy to inform Pei Ming I was coming to the company? Or… is there another informant? Who do you think it might be?”

Bai Zhao pondered for a moment. “There are too many suspects. Anyone who saw you enter the company in the tech park could be Pei Ming’s eyes. It’s impossible to investigate everyone. You should be more concerned about who leaked the information about you going to the company that allowed Huang Hanxiang the chance to use drugs in advance.”

“No need to think about it; I’ve already fired all the employees on duty at home today who knew the news.”

“All of them? Including Lou Baoguo and the others?”

Yu Duqiu was silent for a while and said, “I offered them high annual salaries, and they’ve been with me for many years; no one could bribe them. Besides, if I fire them, their situation would probably be even more dangerous, and finding new bodyguards is also troublesome…”

“Got it, you’re reluctant to part with them.” Before Yu Duqiu could retort, Bai Zhao continued, “After the deed is done, the other party will have to contact Huang Hanxiang; otherwise, how would he get the remaining benefits? Those tens of thousands should just be a deposit; let’s keep monitoring him.”

“…Ji Lin has already arranged it, but I think this might fall into a stalemate, just like my uncle’s case and the situation with the trackers hidden in the guns. The other party had already prepared an escape route before taking action, and once they succeed, they’ll vanish without a trace.” Yu Duqiu finished the last piece of fish and satisfiedly licked the sauce off his lips. “It really feels like a piece used to capture the enemy and retreat after success. Sigh, the king seems so close, yet we can’t take down his army. If all else fails, I’ll have to try to spend some money to make Huang Hanxiang turn against them; I shouldn’t lose in a battle over money.”

Bai Zhao set down his chopsticks, took a tissue, and gently pressed it to the corner of Yu Duqiu’s lips. “Actually, I think Pei Ming may not be the king, and what he said to you today has some merit.”

“You mean Ji Lin might have a problem?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t have evidence to prove that Ji Lin is without issues and that he won’t cause any problems in the future, but at least in Mu Hao’s case, he is definitely on my side.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Of course, it’s because I have leverage over him.” Yu Duqiu enjoyed the attentive service. “Ji Lin wouldn’t harm Mu Hao; even a fool can see how he feels about him—alright, you’ve been wiping for too long.”

As the soft tissue left his lips, Yu Duqiu suddenly felt a sharp pain in his jaw.

He looked up in surprise, meeting a pair of burning eyes.

“So, it wasn’t Mu Hao who died; it was Wu Min, right?” Bai Zhao had a strong grip, preventing him from moving. “Having a crush on someone for years, only to see that person get together with someone else—doesn’t that provide enough motive for murder? Mu Hao is still missing; perhaps it’s because he was imprisoned by someone with an overwhelming sense of possessiveness.”

Yu Duqiu reversed his grip, holding Bai Zhao’s wrist. “Motive for murder? A normal person wouldn’t kill someone over a love rival; you seem to understand this quite well?”

The dim light in the small shop made Bai Zhao’s gaze seem to flicker, and he finally released his hold. “It’s just a guess. I also think Ji Lin’s probability of murder is quite low.”

Yu Duqiu persistently pressed, “If I found someone else, would you be jealous enough to kill him?”

Bai Zhao shook his head. “What’s the use of jealousy? With the speed you change lovers, if I killed every one I met out of jealousy, I would have long become a major wanted criminal.”

Yu Duqiu laughed. “You make it sound like you’ve seen me with many lovers. Since returning home, aside from you, I’ve only flirted with one other person, Fang Xiaomo, and you ruined that for me, so you…”

Halfway through, both of them fell silent at the same time.

Bai Zhao reacted quickly, pressing his lips together.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

The air conditioning in the shop blew out cold air, and the limited warmth from the few remaining customers made the wind feel too strong, causing a chill at the back of their necks.

Yu Duqiu’s expression grew colder in the silence, even his usual hypocritical smile faded, and he silently glared at the man across from him.

“…Bai Zhao.”

The warmth and peace of the evening shattered in the unintentional leak, replaced by a chilling reality laid out before them. Even Yu Duqiu couldn’t help but take a deep breath, struggling to digest this information before slowly organizing his thoughts and finally asking the question he already knew the answer to.

“That night at Junyue, it wasn’t the second time you saw me, was it?”

“You’ve been watching me… for how long?”