BL Ch105

The previous day’s harvested fruits were transformed into desserts by the next day, paired with a pot of oolong tea to cut the sweetness, whetting everyone’s appetite.

Lou Baoguo devoured half a nine-inch apple pie, raving about the kitchen’s skill.

Hong Liangzhang, mindful of his age and slight hyperglycemia, skipped the sugary treats, sipping oolong tea and smiling at the others. “Relaxed mood, good appetite. Eat up, the kitchen’s still baking.”

Zhou Yi, conscious of his figure, took a small piece, chewing slowly. “When’s his appetite ever bad? Hey, don’t hog it all—send some to Captain Ji while it’s hot. Forgot young master’s orders?”

Lou Baoguo, mid-bite, waved it off. “No rush, I’ll drop it off later. He can microwave it.”

Zhou Yi facepalmed. “Your EQ’s hopeless… Dropping it off for Ji means giving some to Xiao Lu. You gonna give her cold pie?”

Lou Baoguo froze. “…Damn, didn’t think of that. You’re good, old bachelor.”

“I was married once… Wait, who’re you calling old bachelor?” Zhou Yi didn’t finish before Lou Baoguo jogged out of the dining room, dialing Lu Qing.

Hong Liangzhang chuckled. “A-Bao’s inexperienced, it’s normal. By the way, where’re young master and Xiao Bai? Haven’t seen them.”

Zhou Yi said, “Oh, they stepped out. Nice weather, probably on a date. Young couples, you know, craving their alone time.”

“Good, it’s rare for young master to be so smitten.” Hong Liangzhang sighed contentedly. “They’ve been through a lot—hope they stay safe and sound.”

The moment the call connected, Lou Baoguo bellowed, “Comrade Xiao Lu! You free right now?”

Lu Qing, startled, replied, “Y-Yeah… What’s up? Your young master didn’t get kidnapped again, did he?”

“No, no, just made some desserts. Wanna… bring some for you and Captain Ji. You’ve both been working hard.”

Lu Qing relaxed. “I’m fine, but Ji-ge’s been slammed. Got back from abroad tanner than ever, always at the hospital. No clue where he is now.”

Hearing Ji Lin, the third wheel, was out, Lou Baoguo seized the chance. “No worries, he can eat later. I’ll bring yours over now! Be there soon! Wait for me!”

North of Kangping Avenue, the gleaming Junyue Hotel still loomed grandly.

The shadow of the bloody incident three months prior had faded. The elite, itching for revelry, flocked back, resuming their nightly debauchery.

At 2 p.m., hours before the evening’s booked banquet, bartender Wu Wei was summoned by the lobby manager to the banquet hall’s entrance.

His heart sank, certain he was getting fired.

Since witnessing Yu Wencheng’s suicide jump, his fragile psyche bore indelible scars. Behind the bar, he couldn’t stop glancing at that staircase, zoning out, making mistakes, and racking up guest complaints. The manager wanting him gone made sense…

But the manager only whispered, “Answer truthfully whatever they ask. We can’t afford to offend the person inside,” and personally opened the banquet hall doors.

Wu Wei, flattered yet terrified, wondered who could make the usually haughty manager so cautious. His legs shook as he entered.

The hall was decorated, eerily reminiscent of that horrific night. More chilling, the three people in the empty center were the same ones etched in his memory from Yu Wencheng’s death.

Seeing that silver hair, Wu Wei nearly dropped to his knees.

Though police never pinned Yu Duqiu as the killer, his eerie smile on the staircase that night was the second-biggest source of Wu Wei’s nightmares.

“Wu Wei, right? Come here, we’ve got questions,” said not Yu Duqiu but the darker-skinned man beside him. Wu Wei didn’t recognize him at first, only recalling, from his formal tone, that he was the criminal investigation captain from that night. Once fair and refined, he’d somehow tanned to a wheatish hue in three months, like a different person.

The third… despite only working together a day, a handsome face was unforgettable. Clearly, he’d climbed the ranks, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the big boss… Truly a looks-driven world. How long till Wu Wei hit his own peak?

“Wu Wei?” Ji Lin called again, noting his dazed look, turning to Yu Duqiu. “I bet he doesn’t remember. It’s been three or four months—who recalls minor details?”

Yu Duqiu shrugged, beckoning Wu Wei. “Xiao Wu, over here.”

The big boss himself calling, Wu Wei snapped to, scurrying over, bowing respectfully. “Chairman Yu, what’s up?”

Yu Duqiu, a head taller, exuded intimidation. His open black shirt revealed pale skin and faint muscles, the blade-sharp necklace gleaming. To frail Wu Wei, he was a towering, icy mountain, chilling him to the bone.

“The night of May 27, before my second uncle jumped, my butler came down for a bottle of wine. Remember?” Yu Duqiu asked.

Wu Wei timidly replied, “Yes… He asked for a bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne.”

Ji Lin blinked. “You remember that?” Was everyone but him gifted with photographic memory?

“B-Because that day, a guest ordered beer, and I couldn’t deliver, got chewed out… Then your butler came for the wine, saving me from embarrassment… So I remember clearly.”

Yu Duqiu glanced at Bai Zhao. “Were you there?”

Bai Zhao shook his head. “I was buying beer for Baoguo, didn’t see.”

Ji Lin, arms crossed, snapped, “Still don’t get what you’re after. I’m busy, gotta hit the hospital this afternoon. Don’t waste my time.”

“Patience, I’ll make it worth your while.” Yu Duqiu turned back to Wu Wei. “Details—what do you recall? Everything.”

Wu Wei remembered plenty—such events weren’t everyday. Memories surfaced, and he spilled. “Your butler was old but spry, spoke clearly, said you and your uncle argued, sent him to get wine as an apology… That’s about it…”

Yu Duqiu pressed, “Go on—his tone, expression, attire. Anything odd?”

Wu Wei racked his brain. “Tone seemed normal, expression kind, attire… professional, full suit, silk white gloves, fancier than mine…”

“That’s enough, thanks.” Yu Duqiu spread a hand. “I didn’t see him wear gloves that night, not even when he brought the wine.”

Bai Zhao added, “Probably didn’t have time to remove them after dosing, got sent for wine, took them off before returning to avoid suspicion.”

Ji Lin blanked, then caught their drift, eyes widening. “What the—Hong—mmph!”

Yu Duqiu swiftly covered his mouth, smiling at the confused Wu Wei. “We’re done, you can go.”

Wu Wei, relieved, nodded and backed out, but at the door, the boss called again. “Good memory, solid skills. I’ll tell your manager to promote you, but today’s talk—don’t breathe a word to anyone, or… you get me?”

Yu Duqiu didn’t voice a threat, but his icy smirk sent Wu Wei into a panic, stammering, “Absolutely won’t tell, don’t worry!” He fled, shutting the door behind him.

Whatever conspiracy they were plotting, securing his raise and promotion was enough!

Yu Duqiu released Ji Lin, who unleashed a rapid-fire barrage. “Who poisoned? Hong-bo? Why suspect him?”

Yu Duqiu didn’t answer right away, sighing softly and settling onto a barstool. “Bai Zhao, pour me a drink.”

“What do you want?”

“Anything to dull my senses, or I can’t say it.”

Ji Lin sensed something off, sitting beside him. “One for me too, light.”

Yu Duqiu chuckled. “I’ve corrupted you.”

“Nonsense, I’m comforting you.”

Bai Zhao grabbed a high-proof red wine from the checkered rack, pouring three glasses.

The crystal goblets clinked, a clear chime. Yu Duqiu sipped, alcohol warming his throat, thawing the words frozen in his heart. “Remember how my second uncle died?”

Ji Lin gave him an odd look. “Of course. First case, stuck with me. Yu Wencheng took vitamin B soaked in hallucinogens, causing delusions and suicidal thoughts, fell to his death.”

Police found an empty bottle in Yu Wencheng’s room, bearing only his fingerprints. His routine pill habit meant the poisoner just needed to know his schedule, not be present, making the suspect pool vast. The case remained unsolved.

Ji Lin caught his angle, frowning. “You think Hong-bo poisoned him? We checked him that night. Like others who entered your room, he had opportunity, but nothing stood out. Even I can see how loyal he is to your family—why harm Yu Wencheng?”

“He didn’t mean to harm him. It was well-intentioned.” Yu Duqiu gave a bitter smile. “My family opposed my project, said it’d bring disaster. I ignored them. If a family member got hurt, maybe I’d rethink… That’s likely his logic. He probably invited my uncle as a mediator, never expecting such a tragedy.”

Ji Lin pressed, “That’s all guesswork. Evidence?”

“Evidence one: silk gloves that don’t leave prints. He swapped the vitamin B bottle while I played chess with my uncle.” Yu Duqiu raised a finger. “Evidence two: Hong-bo knows everyone’s habits flawlessly, never slips. Poisoning was too easy, yet he claimed not to know my uncle’s pill routine. I trusted him too much to question it then—now it feels off. Evidence three: Hong-bo’s the tightest-lipped in our house, never leaks to outsiders, or he wouldn’t have lasted. But that night, he ‘accidentally’ told Wu Wei I argued with my uncle. I rarely see him slip like that, unless… it was deliberate.”

Yu Duqiu’s eyes dimmed. “Even without the accident, my uncle would’ve gotten sick, gone to the hospital, tested positive for hallucinogens. Police would step in, and I, fresh off a fight with him, would be the prime suspect—questioned, monitored, effectively shielded by cops. The real threats couldn’t touch me… It went wrong, caused a death, but his goal was met.”

Ji Lin caught on. “You’re saying… he did it to protect you?”

Yu Duqiu nodded.

“But why this way? Too extreme.”

Yu Duqiu toyed with his glass, silent—the wine’s effect had worn off, words stuck again.

Bai Zhao gently rubbed his back, taking over. “Because it was the mildest option he had. Remember the two groups in the U.S.? The ‘Batmen’ didn’t shoot, just scared us off. We figured the King’s conservative faction, against the Queen’s murders, wanted us to back off. We called them the ‘Rook.’”

Ji Lin’s face froze at “Rook,” his mind like dominoes toppling, a cacophony of connections forming a path until the last piece fell, revealing the truth—

If Hong Liangzhang was the soft-hearted Rook, many mysteries made sense. But… why aid the crime? What was his motive?

Ji Lin thought fast, recalling key info. “He’s got a grandson in the U.S., right? You mentioned him.”

Yu Duqiu nodded slightly. “Yeah. Hong Yuanhang, works under my mom. Claimed Jiang Sheng tricked him, greed-driven, sent my mom’s car to a shady shop, letting Jiang Sheng plant a tracker in my gun, nearly getting me killed.”

Ji Lin sensed Hong Liangzhang’s motive tied to Hong Yuanhang.

A near-seventy-year-old man, likely past caring for wealth or fame, just wanting to live longer. With a hefty salary, a secure future, and Yu family healthcare, why risk drug trafficking? It didn’t add up.

But love and favoritism? That made sense.

“So… his grandson lied, was in on it with Jiang Sheng?”

Yu Duqiu rubbed his forehead, as if the wine overwhelmed him. “I think so. Hong Yuanhang was probably their U.S. contact, mailing packages domestically… Hong-bo doted on him since childhood, couldn’t bear him in jail. Maybe the Queen used that to coerce him, forcing him to join… I can’t think of another reason he’d betray me.”

Helping evil to save his grandson, stopping crimes to protect his surrogate son.

Family on both sides, Hong Liangzhang wanted to save both, but it was a futile dream. How could both sides align?

“So… Jiang Sheng and Huang Hanxiang, he placed them by you?”

“Yeah, he snitched to get me to fire the gardener, then nudged HR to let Jiang Sheng in. At the company, picking Huang Hanxiang, fresh from Pei’s firm, was likely to mislead me toward Pei Ming.”

“Then the Pingzhong photos… Right! The day before your speech, he and I checked equipment—he had the chance to plant them. No wonder we found no leads among school or outside staff…” Ji Lin’s thoughts clarified. “He tipped off Bai Zhiming too?”

Yu Duqiu shook his head. “Old Zhou told him our plan to find Bai Zhiming. He passed it on, but didn’t expect they’d try to kill us all. I could hear his fear and regret—not faked.”

Ji Lin hopped off his chair, pacing. “I could arrest him for questioning, but what if, like Liu Shaojie, he takes all the blame to protect his family, refusing to name the real culprit? That’d tip them off. Got other evidence?”

Yu Duqiu sipped again, scoffing. “My survival’s the biggest evidence. Who else went to such lengths to shield me from killers?”

A nerve twitched in Ji Lin’s head. He snatched Yu Duqiu’s glass, slamming it on the bar, face hardening. “Yu Duqiu, don’t think I’m clueless. You’ve been steering me since we started, painting Hong Liangzhang as reluctant, coerced, harmless, haven’t you?”

Yu Duqiu paused two seconds. “Tch, caught me.”

“Think I’m that gullible?” Ji Lin’s gaze darkened. “I can’t forget Wu Min’s brutal death. If he could stop the King from killing you, why not save Wu Min? Are his family’s lives the only ones that matter?”

“And Jiang Sheng, dying before my eyes. I’ll never forget his final look—he wanted rescue, redemption. He was the one truly coerced!”

“And Huang Hanxiang, even Pei Ming. To me, they didn’t deserve death. Sacrificing others to hell for loved ones isn’t sympathetic, nor a reason for you to defend him!”

Yu Duqiu looked up, meeting his eyes. “If Mu Hao broke the law, would you enforce it so impartially?”

Ji Lin, enraged, grabbed his collar, growling low. “First, Mu-ge wouldn’t. Second, if he did, I’d follow the law. Third, stop using Mu-ge for these examples!”

Though hushed, his roar echoed in the empty hall, anger rippling back, enveloping the tense duo.

Bai Zhao subtly slid the glass back to Yu Duqiu—his side clear.

Yu Duqiu laughed lightly, downing the wine, regaining his edge. The deep red liquid tinged his eyes faintly red. “But you wouldn’t hate him, right? Humans aren’t fully rational. Even the calmest, most logical people carve out a corner in their hearts for those they care about. There, worldly morals and rules don’t apply—any mistake can be forgiven. My corner’s small, few fit in, but those who do take root. Uprooting them hurts.”

Ji Lin retorted, “Leave rotten roots, and you’ll rot too.”

“I’m already rotten, what’s to fear?” Yu Duqiu covered his hand. “I won’t shield him, but I hope his punishment fits his crime.”

“Meaning?”

“He’s a pawn, used. Once exposed, he’ll be the fall guy, taking all blame to protect his family. Please don’t let that happen. Also, I’ve got a way to nail the real culprit. Wanna hear?”

Ji Lin let go, stepping back warily. “What’s the plan? No more reckless moves.”

Yu Duqiu slid his empty glass to Bai Zhao. “Simple. The Queen wants me dead, so I’ll go die.”

“When aren’t you courting death?” Ji Lin sneered. “Get this straight: you survived before because your butler had sway with the King. Now, he clearly can’t protect you. Try dying, and you might actually die.”

“On the contrary.” Yu Duqiu said, “Before, they were in the dark, I was exposed, easy to ambush. This time, I’ll force a ‘castling’—we’ll hold the winning hand.”

Ji Lin’s face screamed exasperation. “Young Master Yu, not everyone plays chess. Speak plain!”

Yu Duqiu shot a look, and Bai Zhao poured him half a glass of wine, seamlessly adding, “Castling: the King retreats to safety, deploying the Rook. You want to use Hong-bo?”

“Exactly, he’s always been mine. Both of you, come here.” Yu Duqiu beckoned.

Bai Zhao leaned in eagerly; Ji Lin grudgingly complied.

In the vast banquet hall, their heads huddled for a full fifteen minutes.

Ji Lin, brows knit, asked post-brief, “Sure they’ll bite?”

Yu Duqiu raised a confident brow. “Depends on who’s fishing.”

“I’ll need to report to Old Peng for approval to cooperate. Also, who’s tossing the bait? Hong-bo? After Myanmar, he won’t leak anything harmful about you—he doesn’t want you dead. Pick someone else.”

Yu Duqiu sighed. “That’s tough. Someone who won’t betray us but has the King’s trust—where’s that candidate?”

Bai Zhao cut in, “I’ve got one.”

Yu Duqiu and Ji Lin turned. “Who?”

Bai Zhao’s untouched wine sat still, mirroring his calm eyes—unruffled, yet with a chilling red glint in their dark depths.

“Let me confirm, Captain Ji. The King you suspect—is it him?” He pressed his eye’s corner, tugging downward.

Yu Duqiu couldn’t resist ruffling his hair. “That look’s kinda innocent on you, like a pitiful puppy.”

Ji Lin snapped, “…Focus. Yeah, it’s him. Before Jiang Sheng died, he made a similar gesture. I thought he was mocking me, but now I realize, upside down, he wasn’t lifting his eye corner but pulling it down, trying to ID the real culprit. I missed it… We’ve got too little evidence. He and his Queen never show at crime scenes, and nothing ties Hong Liangzhang to him yet.”

Bai Zhao said, “If it’s him, I’ll volunteer.”

Ji Lin gaped. “You??”

Yu Duqiu mulled it over, glass elegantly at his lips. “Xiao Bai juggled me, Pei Ming, and Bai Zhiming like a pro—undercover skills are solid. But infiltrating takes too long. We can’t wait.”

“No need for time. They’ll trust me.” Bai Zhao said coolly, “Years ago, I worked with his dad to put Pei Xianyong in prison.”

“Pfft!”

“?!”

Yu Duqiu sprayed a mouthful of wine, splattering Ji Lin, who ignored the mess, both staring at Bai Zhao like he’d grown horns.