August 11th, 9:00 AM.

    A Volkswagen police car, with its red and blue lights off, moved slowly with the traffic, looking as if it were out for a picnic.

    Ji Lin, impatient in the backseat, grabbed the back of the front seat, urging, “Drive faster, overtake!”

    Niu Feng, in the driver’s seat, was helpless, “Brother Ji, sneaking you out is already risky enough. Let’s keep a low profile.”

    “Keeping a low profile doesn’t mean moving like a turtle. At this pace, the launch will be over by the time we get there.”

    Lu Qing turned around, “It’d be better if it were over. You shouldn’t be here in the first place. Old Peng only arranged for me and Xu to go, not you. Your penalty period just ended, and you’re already acting on your own again. Have you forgotten the pain once the wound heals?”

    “What do you mean ‘acting on my own’? You’re going to the launch anyway, so what’s the harm in giving me a lift? Yu gave me a ticket; I’m going legitimately to learn about the latest technology, not bothering anyone.”

    Niu Feng didn’t dare to argue, but Lu Qing had no such reservations and went straight to the heart of the matter, “Come on, you’re just going for the Pei family. What does advanced technology have to do with you? Are you planning to try out the brain-machine interface? That’s not allowed; I heard wearing it might drive you mad.”

    “Don’t listen to media nonsense; I’ve heard Yu’s lecture, it’s quite safe.” Ji Lin surprisingly defended Yu Duqiu, “Besides, Old Peng said if this product succeeds, it would be a deadly blow to drug dealers. It’s related to public security, so of course, I should go listen.”

    Niu Feng had a poor impression of Yu Duqiu, which extended to skepticism about his product, “It’s just a gimmick to scam money. If he could really cure drug addiction single-handedly, he’d win the next Nobel Peace Prize, wouldn’t he? That’s not possible. I don’t believe it.”

    After driving slowly for another half hour, the car made a turn, and the golden sign of Huixin Technology Park finally came into view.

    The guard at the gate, seeing it was a police car, quickly raised the barrier to let them through, even pointing out where other police cars were parked.

    Niu Feng drove over and saw all familiar license plates except for one unfamiliar red flag car, “Whose car is that? It’s an old-school red flag.”

    Lu Qing looked closely and gasped, “How could you forget? That’s Captain Feng’s car! We’re in trouble. Xu didn’t say Captain Feng would be here. Ji, you should go back. If Old Peng finds out we brought you here without permission, he’ll just scold us, but if Captain Feng knows, I might get demoted! Then our bureau would lose a beautiful policewoman!”

    Niu Feng: “…More like lose a troublesome lady.”

    Ji Lin didn’t care if Feng Jinmin was there or not. As soon as the car stopped, he got out, saying, “I’ll go in first; you come in ten minutes later. He won’t suspect you then.”

    Left in the car, Niu Feng and Lu Qing looked at each other. Niu Feng couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you feel… Ji has been getting bolder lately? He used to be all about rules, now he’s leading the charge in breaking them. It must be that Yu guy’s influence.”

    Lu Qing shook her head and sighed, “Not at all… I feel like he has nothing left to care about, so he has no more inhibitions.”

    Building C in the park was unusually lively today, with luxury cars parked outside and the interior redecorated. As soon as Ji Lin entered, he was greeted by the pretty secretary, Yuan Li, who guided him to security.

    Unexpectedly, the security guard recognized him and greeted him respectfully, “Hello, Officer Ji.”

    Ji Lin nodded in acknowledgment and casually asked, “Have you hired any new security guards here?”

    “Mr. Yu hasn’t been to the company recently, so we’re not sure what he wants. Hiring new staff is on hold. After the Huang Hanxiang incident, he probably wouldn’t dare hire just anyone.”

    Ji Lin found it odd, “He’s about to have a product launch, and he hasn’t been to the company for a month? How does he keep up with product development?”

    The guard awkwardly replied, “Maybe he’s working remotely, I wouldn’t know.”

    Ji Lin then asked Yuan Li, “Do you know?”

    Yuan Li gave a professional smile, her answer watertight, “The company is only responsible for marketing and promotion; real research progress comes from the lab, which Mr. Yu oversees. He should be keeping up. I’m just a secretary, responsible for his daily schedule, not much involved in the business side.”

    Ji Lin still felt something was off. Yu Duqiu’s last lecture in Pingzhong was so detailed and vivid, showing he was deeply involved with his brain-machine product, not like an absentee manager. How could he not visit the company for a month? Was he only interested in lab research and not in product marketing and sales? That didn’t fit his profit-driven businessman nature…

    Speculation was futile; Ji Lin decided he’d ask him directly when he saw him.

    The security process was more complex than expected, starting with passing through a metal detector, followed by a full body scan with a device, and the security guard manually checking areas where items could be hidden, like pockets, socks, even asking to remove shoes.

    Ji Lin hadn’t experienced such thorough security at an airport, thinking it was because of Yu Duqiu’s cautious nature, but then he noticed the security at the next gate was much more lenient.

    “Hey, why do others just get a quick scan while I have to go through all these steps?”

    The security guard explained nervously, “It’s… it’s Mr. Yu’s order. If you come, we must do a thorough check. He said he’s worried you might have weapons on you, and you might do something irrational in a moment of impulse.”

    Ji Lin: “…”

    So, this was specifically targeted at him!

    The venue for the product launch on the third floor was originally a small exhibition hall, now redecorated. The walls were covered with black fabric, creating an effect of blocking out the day. All necessary equipment was there, though it seemed hastily arranged, with only about thirty seats placed haphazardly.

    In the preparation room behind one of the black curtains, Zhao Feihua watched the monitor, observing how people were seating themselves, her brows furrowed. After much thought, she couldn’t help but voice her concerns, “I still think this venue is too small. It’s your first launch since returning to the country; both domestic and international media are watching. You should at least rent a large theater.”

    Yu Duqiu, seated in a chair, went over his speech again, saying, “We’ve only achieved preliminary results. There’s still a gap from what I promised the mayor. If the media found out, they’d mock me again. I don’t want to deal with that bad luck.”

    Zhao Feihua was puzzled, “Since when were you afraid of the media? Back when your AI robot exploded in front of dozens of media outlets, you said ‘no worries, I have money to make more’; you left them speechless, and they criticized you online for half a month, but you didn’t care.”

    “And now that robot sells well, earning me fifty million a year.” Yu Duqiu moved his shoulders, trying to ease the soreness from days of hard work, then gave himself a couple of thumps, “This project is special. There was a major accident twenty years ago, so the government is very cautious. Getting approval was already difficult; we need to avoid media influence on our progress. It’s not that I’m afraid of them, I just find them annoying.”

    “Alright, whatever you say, you’re the boss.” Zhao Feihua checked her watch, “Half an hour until it starts… Hey, my eyelid has been twitching today; I feel something’s going to happen. I’ll check if Baoguo and the others are standing guard properly outside.”

    “Hmm.”

    Zhao Feihua opened the door, then turned back to ask, “Is our Mr. Wu, the investor, not coming this time either?”

    Yu Duqiu: “He’s busy, can’t be here. I’ve already sent him the data.”

    Zhao Feihua muttered skeptically, “How busy can he be? He invested ten billion in this project, and he’s not even going to check on the launch… Come to think of it, none of my friends in the financial circle have heard of a tycoon named ‘Wu Hu’. Are you sure he’s doing legitimate business? Maybe he’s not coming because he’s afraid of the police?”

    Yu Duqiu dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand, “You’re overthinking it. There are plenty of low-profile billionaires you don’t know about – Ask Yuan Li to bring in some black coffee, Blue Mountain, pearl beans. I woke up too early; I’m sleepy.”

    “Fine, you have so many demands…” Zhao Feihua mumbled as she left.

    Yu Duqiu continued massaging his shoulders, reading his script. Soon after, the door opened again, and a cup of coffee, so dark it was bottomless, was placed on the table in front of him, with an amber glow at the edges.

    The aroma was rich, but Yu Duqiu was too distracted to savor it, taking a quick sip. The blend of acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and richness was perfect, but it was a bit too light.

    “Why is it so weak? Out of coffee beans?”

    “Afraid you’d find it too bitter.”

    Upon hearing the voice, Yu Duqiu turned his head in surprise, “You’re even taking my secretary’s job now?”

    Bai Zhao’s injuries were mostly healed; he placed his hand on Yu Duqiu’s shoulder, his long, strong fingers finding the sore points and pressing down from light to heavy, “Ji Lin is here; he ran into Peng Deyu and Feng Jinmin at the entrance, causing some chaos. Yuan Li went to handle it, so she couldn’t make your coffee.”

    Yu Duqiu was about to refuse but Bai Zhao’s pressure was just right, sending a shiver through his stiff muscles from the tailbone to the back of his neck.

    “Hmm…” He let out a contented sigh, relaxing to enjoy the service, “I knew he’d come… Is Pei Ming here?”

    “He’s here, taking photos with his brother by the display boards. From his conversation with others, he seems to think of himself as an investor already. But you wouldn’t let him invest, or rather… you can’t let him invest, because that would expose your ‘secret’, right?”

    Yu Duqiu turned his head, “You figured out what was going on in the car to the jewelry exhibition. Why pretend you don’t know?”

    “Spreading such a huge lie… you might really ruin yourself.”

    “So be it, I can make a comeback.” Yu Duqiu hummed contentedly, “I don’t like playing safe; I enjoy being pushed to the brink and then counterattacking. That’s where the sense of achievement comes from. Pei Ming clearly fears my project; I’ll speed things up, make him anxious, and force him to reveal his true intentions. Whether he’s the ‘King’ or not, this will decide.”

    Bai Zhao tightened his grip on Yu Duqiu’s shoulder, leaning down to whisper in his ear, “If Pei Ming represents jealousy, you represent pride. Don’t be complacent; you’re not invincible. Your weakness is quite obvious – you care too much about emotions.”

    The intimate touch of skin made Yu Duqiu’s heart itch. He looked back, seeing a pure white hibiscus in Bai Zhao’s suit pocket. He casually touched the delicate petals, then brushed his hand across Bai Zhao’s chest, asking softly, “Do I?”

    Bai Zhao’s voice was deeper, penetrating his ear, “To avenge a close friend, you lured drug dealers to harm yourself to uncover the real culprit behind it. Isn’t that caring too much about emotions?”

    “That’s only part of the reason, but if you say I started this project out of emotion, you’re not wrong.” Yu Duqiu’s hand moved up, caressing the perfectly contoured side of Bai Zhao’s face with rare tenderness, “The accident twenty years ago was a sore spot for my grandfather; he wouldn’t even come to today’s launch, probably because he’s afraid of the memories it would bring up. I want to continue Miss Cen’s unfinished research to comfort him. Maybe I can also uncover the truth about the car accident back then and clear Miss Cen’s name. She was a truly great scientist; she shouldn’t be subject to gossip and doubt.”

    A faint light flickered in Bai Zhao’s dark eyes.

    “Do you think I’m quite filial?” Yu Duqiu asked proudly, “After all, I was raised by my grandfather since childhood—”

    His lips were suddenly stolen by a kiss.

    Yu Duqiu, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, switched from relaxed to alert in an instant, his gaze sharp like needles, “I treat you a little better, and you take advantage. You’ve used up your kiss quota for this month; no more kissing.”

    Bai Zhao straightened up after his successful theft, continuing to massage Yu Duqiu’s shoulders as if nothing had happened, “The coffee is indeed too light; I didn’t taste the bitterness, only the sweetness.”

    Yu Duqiu understood the underlying meaning, and for some reason, his irritation was diffused by this clever remark, almost breaking his cold facade.

    Maybe he wasn’t really that angry; he was just annoyed by Bai Zhao’s disobedience.

    “By the way,” Bai Zhao added.

    “What?”

    “When you go on stage, they’ll turn off the lights; it’ll be very dark. Someone might try to ambush you. I’ll escort you.”

    Yu Duqiu’s last bit of irritation vanished, and he smiled where Bai Zhao couldn’t see, but his voice betrayed the smile, “Are you worried about someone ambushing me or about me being afraid of the dark?”

    “I wanted to give you some dignity.”

    “No need, too many people give me ‘dignity’, whether out of good or bad intentions, it all comes with a layer of falsehood. Be direct.” Yu Duqiu found Bai Zhao’s hand on his shoulder, his slender fingers gripping the broad back of his hand, gently rubbing the rough fingers, “I’m not cowardly to that extent, but having you escort me seems nice.”

    He playfully shook their joined hands.

    “The real battle is coming up; hold me tight, don’t let go.”

    Author’s Note:

    This volume will be quite long, resolving many of your questions and featuring lots of fan-favorite scenes. Both the plot and the emotions will be thrilling. Please watch patiently, mwah!

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