BL Ch97

Bai Zhao, sprawled on the ground, gritted his teeth against the searing pain in his back. His veins bulged as he clawed at the dirt, trying to push himself up, but he collapsed halfway.

Lou Baoguo’s kick had unleashed full force, equivalent to a chest-crushing boulder for most. Not spitting blood was already a feat.

“Young master, let’s go!” Lou Baoguo, having floored the dangerous figure holding Yu Duqiu hostage, didn’t pause for half a second. He yanked open the car door. “We were about to storm in to save you, but he brought you out, saving us the trouble.”

Yu Duqiu clutched his forehead. “…You’ve ‘helped’ enough. Pick him up and put him in the car.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t ask why. Just do it. Hurry.”

“Oh, okay.”

Betrayed, and still dragging him along—how much does he like this guy? Lou Baoguo marveled silently, stepping forward, only to hear Zhou Yi shout, “No time! They’re coming! Get out!”

Several bodyguards had entered the basement, finding Pei Ming and Bai Zhiming half-dead on the floor. Hearing Lou Baoguo’s roar, they rushed out, initially thinking Bai Zhao had turned traitor. But seeing him writhing on the ground, they couldn’t tell friend from foe, so they ignored him and charged at the intruders.

With the situation dire, Lou Baoguo had no time for Bai Zhao. He turned to shove Yu Duqiu into the car, but the spot was empty. Whirling around, he saw Yu Duqiu sprinting straight for Bai Zhao.

…How much does he like this guy?

Pei Ming’s bodyguards knew Yu Duqiu was the priority target. Wherever he ran, they swarmed after him.

Yu Duqiu hauled the man off the ground, slinging an arm over his shoulder. Crouching, he hoisted Bai Zhao onto his back. Even with his robust build, carrying a man as sturdy as himself was a strain. The dead weight pressed down like a mountain, bending him nearly ninety degrees.

Bai Zhao struggled to get down, gasping, “Don’t save me… Just go.”

“Who’s saving you, you little beast? I want to kill you myself. Can’t let anyone else have the pleasure.” Yu Duqiu bolted toward the car, sweat beading on his forehead, panting heavily. “I told you… I could carry you, get you off that mountain… But you had to run to Bai Zhiming, looking for death.”

The man on his back fell silent. After a few seconds, a low murmur reached his ear: “I knew you could save me… I’ve known for a long time.”

Yu Duqiu had no time to unpack the meaning. Pei Ming’s bodyguards were closing in, arms outstretched to grab them, but he wasn’t fazed—his own men had reached his side.

The two groups collided, and chaos erupted. Yu Duqiu’s team, honed by real combat, had escorted him to meet world leaders and thwarted countless plots. Their skills were one in a million, far outclassing Pei’s flashy, superficial bodyguards. A few exchanges made the gap clear.

Zhou Yi’s iron fist floored one with a single swing, his menacing aura and fierce face leaving the bodyguards battered and trembling, unsure who the real villain was.

Lou Baoguo, usually the king of slacking, was no slouch in a fight. His muscles came alive, and a single hip-check sent a guard flying.

Villagers, drawn by the commotion, peeked from their homes, watching a rare brawl in their quiet hamlet. A few bold ones stood nearby, wearing sun hats, munching sunflower seeds, and enjoying the show.

Ji Lin tried to jump in several times but found no opening. Choked by the swirling dust, he coughed repeatedly and gave up, helping Yu Duqiu stuff Bai Zhao into the backseat. As he looked up, a gust whipped past his ear, followed by a deafening bang! A deep bullet hole appeared in the car’s leather seat.

The surroundings fell deathly silent.

Everyone—fighting or spectating—froze. The stunned villagers snapped out of it, shrieking and scrambling home, scattering sunflower seeds on the ground.

Bai Zhiming, clutching the doorframe, hobbled forward, legs clamped together, each step a struggle. His face was ashen, his eyes blazing with murderous rage, chilling to the bone. Cursing vilely, he raised his gun again, aiming at Bai Zhao, now in the car.

Ji Lin, quick on his feet, slammed the car door shut. The gunshot and the door’s thud rang out simultaneously. The VR10 bulletproof car lived up to its name, its over-25mm-thick multilayered glass stopping the bullet cold. Ji Lin could’ve sworn the car’s gleaming surface flashed a mocking glance at Bai Zhiming: See that? That’s the power of money!

Seeing the bullet couldn’t pierce the car, Bai Zhiming pivoted, aiming at Yu Duqiu, still outside—

Bang!

Yu Duqiu, anticipating this, dodged behind the car and opened the door, peering through the tinted window at Bai Zhiming, who couldn’t see them from the other side.

Twice thwarted, and in excruciating pain below, Bai Zhiming fired wildly in frustration. A few of Pei Ming’s bodyguards, caught off guard, screamed and collapsed, their fates unclear. The rest froze, thinking help had arrived, only to realize it was the enemy.

Who was friend, who was foe?

Ji Lin, crouched behind the car, closed his eyes, counting softly: “15, 14… 9, 8… 5.” Each gunshot ticked down a number.

“What are you doing?” Yu Duqiu asked, puzzled.

The gunfire paused. Ji Lin opened his eyes. “His pistol’s a knockoff Glock MA5, 17-round magazine. Even if it was full, he’s got five bullets left.”

But even one bullet could kill any of them.

Yu Duqiu realized this and quickly strategized. “There’s more than five of us. One bullet can’t kill two people. Someone’s bound to survive.”

Ji Lin caught his drift. “You mean let us die so you can ‘survive,’ huh?”

Yu Duqiu smiled. “Why do you think so poorly of me?”

Because you’ve got a track record of being shady, Ji Lin thought. Just then, the other two cars roared to life. The uninjured Pei family bodyguards scrambled aboard, floored the gas, and fled.

Ji Lin gaped. “…What’s that about? They’re ditching their boss?”

Yu Duqiu shrugged. “Their pay’s not worth dying for. Don’t worry, I got my bodyguards hefty accidental death insurance. They’ve got no worries.”

Ji Lin didn’t know whether to marvel at money buying loyalty or condemn Yu Duqiu’s callousness.

Lou Baoguo dragged someone over, face fraught with worry. “Bad news, young master. Old Zhou took a bullet in the leg, and two others got hit too. I had the rest pull them behind the house.”

Zhou Yi’s calf was bleeding profusely. Moments ago, he’d been a force of nature; now, his face was pale, though he gritted his teeth stubbornly. “It’s nothing… Just bandage it, ugh…”

They couldn’t hide behind the car long. Bai Zhiming could approach any moment. They couldn’t drag two wounded men through a hail of bullets or fit everyone in one car—especially without keys.

Ji Lin opened the passenger door, helping shove Zhou Yi inside, and asked Yu Duqiu, “Where’s the car key?”

“Probably on Bai Zhiming. Why?”

“Five bullets. I’ll take a shot.” Ji Lin grabbed two throw pillows from the car, one shielding his chest, the other in hand. “If I’m lucky, you’ll owe me a commendation. If not, you’ll owe me a funeral.”

Yu Duqiu chuckled. “Didn’t know you had a sense of humor.”

“Not joking.” Ji Lin peered through the window, face stern. “When he’s out of ammo, rush him. Don’t let him reload.”

“Thanks for the heroics, Comrade Xiao Ji, but if Mu Hao finds out I let you die, he’ll probably cut me off.” Yu Duqiu pulled him back. “We’ve got numbers on our side. Bai Zhiming’s caught in a pincer, with only five bullets. He’s as stuck as we are. He’ll soon realize killing us isn’t the priority—hijacking the car and escaping is.”

Ji Lin countered, “Easy for you to say. To break through a checkpoint, he’ll need to kill us first. If we tip off the police and they set up defenses, can he still escape? If he grabs the car, the first thing he’ll do is run us down.”

“Hmm, you’ve got a point.”

“Shh! He’s coming.”

Bai Zhiming, recovering from the crippling pain, walked steadier now. Through the one-way window, they saw him advancing toward their hiding spot, radiating killing intent.

With two immobile wounded in the car, they couldn’t let him succeed. Ji Lin took a deep breath, exchanging a look with the others: I’m going.

Bai Zhiming was two steps from the car, the driver’s side facing him, keys on him—perfect timing and position. But he knew people were hiding behind it, gun raised, ready. At this range, anyone who popped up was a dead shot.

Just as his hand reached for the door, something large and black flew from the other side.

Startled, thinking it was a bomb, Bai Zhiming leapt back. Focusing, he saw it was just a pillow.

In that split second of distraction, Ji Lin exploded out, slamming a hand on the hood. The sun-baked metal scorched his palm, but he ignored the pain, vaulting over and lunging at Bai Zhiming.

Bai Zhiming wasn’t an easy mark. He’d been a criminal longer than Ji Lin had been a cop. The moment he recognized the pillow, he aimed his gun.

Ji Lin, not yet in reach, was already in his sights. He raised the second pillow to shield his head and chest, hoping to lessen the bullet’s impact, but at this range, it was near useless.

Today might be the day he dies.

In that fleeting moment, faces flashed through his mind—family, friends, colleagues, and, of course, Mu Hao. Or rather, the Mu Hao of before.

So handsome, so vibrant, now reduced to a shadow of himself.

And the culprit stood right before him.

Rage surged, fueling his chest. He charged recklessly.

Even if his body took the bullet, so what? If it meant bringing Bai Zhiming to justice, the sacrifice was worth it.

Bang!

The shot grazed his ear, piercing a corner of the pillow, missing him.

Was Bai Zhiming’s aim that bad? Ji Lin wondered, then heard a shout: “4!”

He froze, lowering the pillow. Bai Zhiming’s gun was raised skyward—Yu Duqiu, somehow behind him, had one arm locked around his throat, the other gripping his gun-wielding wrist, stopping another shot.

“What are you standing there for?” Yu Duqiu bellowed. “If I die, your entire task force is going down with me!”

This guy—doing something so heroic while spouting such villainous lines?

Ji Lin set aside the absurdity and charged again. Lou Baoguo, seeing them leap into action, couldn’t lag behind. Roaring, he rushed out from behind the car: “Die, you old beast!”

They thought this was in the bag, but Bai Zhiming’s eyes flared with ferocity. Dragging Yu Duqiu, he pivoted, kicked off the car, and launched a flying kick straight at Lou Baoguo’s face.

Caught off guard, Lou Baoguo yelped, the blow like an iron plate to the face. Stars burst in his vision, nosebleed gushing, spinning half a circle before crashing to the ground.

Bai Zhiming ducked, baring his teeth, and bit down.

Yu Duqiu knew his brutality—this bite would tear a chunk from his arm. He yanked back just in time, delivering a vicious kick to Bai Zhiming’s knee.

Bai Zhiming crumpled to one knee, rolling to shake off the pain. He fired again, but in his panic, he couldn’t aim at a moving target. The bullet grazed Yu Duqiu’s arm, tearing his suit and leaving a bloody streak.

“3!”

Yu Duqiu’s shout clued Bai Zhiming in—the numbers marked his remaining bullets. Only three left.

Killing three people might be impossible.

His mind raced, and he made a snap decision. Abandoning the fight, he sprinted for the house. If he could reload, he’d still have the upper hand.

But after one big step, the pain in his knee and groin made him stumble. Lou Baoguo, closest and scrambling up, his face swollen like a pig’s, roared and pounced, locking Bai Zhiming’s throat and gun hand, spitting blood and saliva. “You dare kick my face?! I’m ruined, damn it! Die!”

Bai Zhiming, nearly suffocating, his face purple, suddenly flashed a glint from his waist—a folding combat knife.

Lou Baoguo hadn’t expected another weapon. Too slow to dodge, the blade slashed a long gash across his stomach. Pain loosened his grip, giving Bai Zhiming a chance to breathe. He twisted free, raising the gun to Lou Baoguo’s forehead—

Bang!

At the critical moment, Ji Lin, arriving just in time, yanked him away, making the shot miss.

Lou Baoguo’s heart nearly stopped. “Captain Ji, I love you!”

Ji Lin wiped the blood splattered on his face, grimacing. “Consider it payback for last time. Also, lose some weight!”

“It’s all muscle!”

“2! Get down!” Yu Duqiu’s voice hit its peak, diving to tackle both men. A bullet whizzed through his silver hair, severing a few strands that floated to the ground.

“…1.”

Yu Duqiu raised icy eyes, their chilling glint piercing. Ji Lin thought he looked fiercer than Bai Zhiming.

With one bullet left, Bai Zhiming didn’t dare fire recklessly and bolted for the house.

“Chase!” Ji Lin shouted.

Before the words landed, Yu Duqiu was already after him, three steps merging into two, swift as a cheetah, about to grab Bai Zhiming’s collar—

Suddenly, a figure darted from the house. A timid woman, inching along the wall, seemed to be fleeing the danger zone. But Bai Zhiming spotted her, his eyes flashing with malice. He grabbed her roughly, pressing the gun to her temple.

Yu Duqiu screeched to a halt, stopping in front of them.

“Back off!” Bai Zhiming roared, terrifying the woman, who trembled, her face drained of color.

Yu Duqiu’s gaze flicked over her face, recalling earlier clues. “Your girlfriend? You’d kill her?”

Bai Zhiming’s eyes spilled with madness and venom, spewing vile curses. “Shut up! Back off! Tell your people to retreat to the village entrance, including those behind the house! Or I shoot her!”

The woman sobbed in fear.

Yu Duqiu opened his mouth, but his peripheral vision caught a glinting blade approaching stealthily. His eyes lit up. Shrugging, he said casually, “Go ahead and shoot. I don’t know her.”

Ji Lin couldn’t believe he’d say something so heartless. Even Bai Zhiming was stunned, thinking he’d misheard. “What?”

“You’ve got one bullet left, Mr. Bai,” Yu Duqiu said with a smile. “Whoever it hits, the rest will bring you to justice. You’ve got nowhere to run.”

Bai Zhiming, rattled by Yu Duqiu’s eerie politeness, backed toward the house with his hostage. “If I die, I’m taking someone with me—her or you!”

Yu Duqiu stood still, his emotionless eyes watching Bai Zhiming move away from him—and closer to another trap.

“Pity. The only one dying here today is you.”

The arrogant words sparked wild laughter from Bai Zhiming, dripping with scorn. “Haha! What’s this, some cocky kid? You think I won’t blow your—ugh!”

His maniacal laugh cut off.

A wolf-claw knife plunged deep into his neck, only the black handle visible.

The trembling hand gripping it yanked hard. Blood gushed like a waterfall.

Bai Zhiming’s face contorted, veins bulging, eyes wide with disbelief, bloodshot. His severed vocal cords silenced him. His fingers twitched for the trigger, but his fading life couldn’t manage the simple act.

Yu Duqiu stepped forward, easily taking his gun, and pointed at his hair. “I’m not a blond kid. And your son? I’ll be raising him from now on.”

Bai Zhiming’s hulking frame collapsed, his unblinking, furious eyes stained scarlet by pooling blood.

The woman, terrified by his gruesome death, crumpled to the ground, legs giving out.

With both down, the figure who’d stabbed him was fully revealed.

Ji Lin and Lou Baoguo’s jaws nearly hit the ground.

Yu Duqiu aimed the gun at the figure, raising a brow. “Pei-ge, what’s this act now?”

Pei Ming, clutching his neck wound, wasn’t fatally hurt but was pale from blood loss. He forced a weak, almost friendly smile. “Seizing the moment, adapting to the situation… basic business sense, cough cough! I’ve earned some leniency, right, Officer Ji? A few years off my sentence?”

Ji Lin, floored by his lightning-fast betrayal, was speechless for a moment before muttering, “You businessmen are too slick…”

Yu Duqiu laughed heartily. “Pei-ge, I’ve got to say, I never took you seriously before, but today, you’ve really impressed me. You’re the true business elite.”

Pei Ming’s knife-holding hand still shook. Sliding down the doorframe, the delayed terror of his first kill hit, weakening his legs. “Thanks. Hearing your genuine praise… I’m actually… kind of… happy…”

Ji Lin saw his head droop, eyes closing, and asked in alarm, “Is he dead?”

“Just passed out.” Yu Duqiu tossed the gun to Ji Lin and gallantly helped the fallen woman up, sparing Pei Ming no glance. “But if you don’t stop his bleeding soon, he might be.”

Lou Baoguo grumbled, hoisting the unconscious Pei Ming. “There’s a first-aid kit in the car. I’ll patch him up. Lucky bastard.”

Ji Lin nodded, tucking the gun into his waistband, about to take the shaken woman from Yu Duqiu, when Yu Duqiu whispered, “Captain Ji, I’ve got an important question.”

“Hm? What?” Ji Lin leaned closer, and even the wobbly woman perked up, listening.

Yu Duqiu grinned at him, asking softly, “I want to know… do you like being on top or bottom?”

Ji Lin’s face burned like fire, itching to curse, but his instincts kicked in. He grabbed the woman’s wrist, twisting it behind her back.

She yelped in Chinese, protesting, “Why are you grabbing me? I didn’t know he was a criminal!”

Yu Duqiu smiled. “Funny. We were just fighting, no one’s in uniform. Why’d you assume your boyfriend’s the criminal and we’re the good guys?”

Her eyes darted nervously. “He’s always had a bad temper, beats me often…”

“But he must like you, right? You sent him to buy menstrual pain meds, and he went.” Yu Duqiu watched her face shift, his gaze icing over. “His timing in the pharmacy’s CCTV was too perfect, like someone was pushing him into our sights. Who told you to do that, miss?”

She clamped her lips shut, head down, silent.

“Captain Ji, take her back for questioning…” Yu Duqiu turned, seeing Ji Lin still red-faced, and teased, “Really? It’s just a code phrase. You’re not actually thinking it over, are you? Care to share your answer? I might help you out. Though, judging by build and stamina, Mu Hao’s probably on top…”

“Shut up!” Ji Lin’s pent-up fury exploded. “Can’t you grab her yourself? Had to use that code to mess with me?”

Yu Duqiu spread his hands. “Roughing up a lady goes against my principles. Had to leave it to you.”

Ji Lin’s anger flared higher, cursing as he bound the woman’s hands, setting her aside. Lou Baoguo ran up, reporting all wounded were settled.

“Young master, we called the police on the way. City cops should be here soon. Good thing our guys’ injuries aren’t too bad—treatable… So, what’s the deal with Big Bro? Did he betray you or not?”

Yu Duqiu rubbed his temples, exasperated. “He betrayed me, but also… didn’t.”

Lou Baoguo: “…Huh?”

Ji Lin: “Speak plainly!”

“I need a favor, Captain Ji.”

“Spit it out!”

“When we’re back, I need to borrow something of yours.” Yu Duqiu stooped to pick up his fallen poppy, its few remaining petals trampled to pieces in the melee. “Hope you’ll turn a blind eye when the time comes.”

Before Ji Lin could press for details, Yu Duqiu tossed the flower and headed for the car, sighing dramatically. “I just showered this morning, and now I’m a mess, filthy, with dirt in my mouth. Any mineral water in the trunk? I need to wash my face and rinse.”

Ji Lin shook his head, exasperated, ignoring the germaphobe young master. He glanced at Bai Zhiming’s body, soaked in blood, a ghastly sight. Nearby homes were silent, doors and windows shut, no one daring to gawk anymore.

Yet he felt a gaze lingering on the scene. Scanning around, he saw no one.

Behind a slightly cracked car window, two dark, wary eyes locked onto the bloodied corpse, confirming it was dead. Only then did they withdraw, along with the pistol trained on the body, now tucked into a hidden compartment under the seat.

Then, he lay back slowly. Despite the agony of his back wound, he exhaled deeply, as if a weight had lifted, his body relaxing.

The ruby ring on his finger gleamed like fire. He kissed the flame gently, pressing the ring and the watch holding all the evidence to his chest, as if the two most precious things in his life were in his grasp. He closed his eyes contentedly, exhaustion and weakness pulling him into sleep. Unconsciously, he let slip a few slurred murmurs, audible only up close—choked, soft cries: “…Mom…”