BL Ch106

At three o’clock in the afternoon, the Xingjin Sub-bureau was bustling.

“In short, that’s the situation now. I’m here to get your opinion.” Ji Lin casually grabbed a tissue from the chief’s desk, covering the stubborn wine stain on his shirt, mentally cursing Yu Duqiu for the hundredth time.

Peng Deyu listened to his report with unexpected calm, his eyes on other case files. “It’s fine. It’s a plan. They provide the money and manpower, we provide the effort and police work. The goal’s the same: solve the case soon.”

Ji Lin hadn’t expected such quick agreement, asking curiously, “You’re not surprised? Not suspicious? Bai Zhao was the informant who reported Pei Xianyong back then! He was, what, eight or nine? How does a kid pull that off?”

Undercover work and reporting drug traffickers were high-stakes tasks even seasoned narcotics officers might not succeed at. Yet an eight-year-old, adopted less than a year, had sent Pingyi City’s most powerful drug lord to prison. Though lacking evidence to secure a death sentence for Pei Xianyong, it was still shocking.

Recalling Bai Zhao’s calm expression when revealing this bombshell—as if discussing lunch—Ji Lin felt a chill.

Peng Deyu didn’t look up. “Kids are perfect for it. Who suspects a child? As for motive, nothing unusual. Bai Zhiming abused him, training underlings for Pei Xianyong. Hating Pei Xianyong makes sense. Shows our country’s safety education works—elementary kids know right from wrong, know to report bad guys.”

“But he didn’t report to the police. He anonymously tipped off Du Yuanzhen! Used Du Yuanzhen’s greed for news to amplify the case, cutting off Pei Xianyong’s chance to bribe judges. That’s an eight-year-old’s plan? No way I believe there wasn’t an adult guiding him!”

Peng Deyu finally glanced up, head still down, almost rolling his eyes. “You’ve got time to question an old case? Go investigate leads with Xu Sheng. The suspect’s clear now. I want this series of cases closed within a month.”

Ji Lin leaned on the desk, squinting. “Old Peng, something’s off with you.”

“Get out! Who’re you talking to, no respect… What’s off with me?”

“How come every time I mention Bai Zhao, you dodge? When you interrogated him, you didn’t even let me sit in. Half an hour, and you let him go. Since when are you so lenient with suspects? Got secrets you’re not sharing?” Ji Lin leaned closer, whispering threateningly, “You better come clean, or I’ll tell your wife you sneaked out drinking after work two days ago—”

Thud! A merciless fist slammed Ji Lin’s head. He yelped, collapsing in pain, clutching his skull, switching to formal address. “Sir… go easy! You’ll crack my head open!”

“Now you remember respect?” Peng Deyu blew on his fist, snorting. “You’re lucky to be back on the task force. Stop prying. Get out, I’m busy!”

Ji Lin slunk to the door, closing it softly, heading to his office, head still spinning, baffled by the usually strict chief’s change.

At his office door, a sweet, fruity aroma hit him.

“Ji-ge! Perfect timing—want some apple pie? Still hot!” Lu Qing greeted cheerfully.

Xu Sheng and Niu Feng had polished off two pieces, patting their stomachs, ready to dive back into work. Noticing Ji Lin’s distracted look, they asked, “Where’d you go? Your shirt’s a mess.”

Ji Lin grumbled, “Met that Yu guy, I’ll explain later. Who bought this? Case isn’t solved, and you’re having afternoon tea on duty?”

Lu Qing clarified, “Not me, Lou-ge brought it. Their house made it, tastes great. Try some?”

“Nah, not in the mood.”

Xu Sheng slung an arm around him. “Gotta relax sometimes. You haven’t rested since coming back.”

“I’ll rest when the killer’s caught. Time’s ticking.” Ji Lin eyed the fragrant pie, asking, “Is it good?”

Lu Qing grinned. “Delicious. Wanna send some to Officer Mu? Knew it! We can’t eat, but you’ll give it to him. Double standards!”

Ji Lin’s ears reddened. Yu Duqiu was right—everyone had a corner in their heart where normal rules didn’t apply.

“He’s a patient, not like you guys.”

“He’s Officer Mu, not like us?” Lu Qing mimicked, huffing. “Don’t worry, Mu’s got his share, but if you wanna deliver it yourself, I’ll give you mine.”

Ji Lin sensed a hidden meaning, or maybe his guilt, and changed the subject, asking Xu Sheng, “How’s that woman and Liu Shaojie? Talking yet?”

Xu Sheng sighed, shaking his head. “No progress. Liu Shaojie especially—after hearing Bai Zhiming’s death, he lost it in lockup for days, now pure hostility. Won’t talk, just curses. Should we send Bai Zhao to try?”

Ji Lin frowned. “No, last time he pulled a fast one right under our noses. I’m not letting him near Liu Shaojie. Hold off until he calms down. I’ve got a plan to lure the snake out. Listen up.”

Lu Qing asked, “You just saw Yu Duqiu… his plan?”

Niu Feng chimed in, “Weird, didn’t he swear off meddling? Why’s he back?”

Ji Lin plopped into his chair, head throbbing from Peng Deyu’s hit and Yu Duqiu’s plan an hour earlier. “Long story, starts with Yu Wencheng’s case…”

Some explain patiently; others act directly.

Yu Duqiu sped home, stormed into the study, shut the door, yanked the man behind him by the collar, and flung him onto the sofa. “Spill the truth, you little beast.”

Bai Zhao hit the cushions, sitting up fast, hands raised in surrender. “I didn’t lie. I reported Pei Xianyong. Bai Zhiming was grooming me as his successor, took me to their drug stash warehouse. I was too eager, anonymously tipped Du Yuanzhen, but the police were a step late. Bai Zhiming got wind, moved evidence. I couldn’t take them both down, let them live years longer.”

“That’s not what I’m asking. Don’t play dumb.” Yu Duqiu knelt on the sofa, gripping his jaw. “Who was behind you? Who’ve you been working for? The Du family?”

Bai Zhao, head tilted back, slid a hand out. “No one. I exposed them purely out of personal hatred. I never dealt with the Du family directly, and they’ve got no leverage on me. You don’t need to worry I’ll be turned like Hong-bo.”

“Words are cheap. Show proof—”

The world flipped. Yu Duqiu grunted, pinned under the man’s heavy frame.

“What proof? You don’t suspect me.” Bai Zhao loomed above, brushing his glowing hair and face. “If you did, you’d have let Ji Lin arrest me earlier, not brought me home.”

Their closeness stifled breathing. Yu Duqiu grabbed his collar, pulling up. “Getting cocky, huh? Think you can dodge? Should release Pei Ming to hear this—he’d tear you apart.”

If Pei Ming knew his empire’s collapse and years of scorn stemmed from his prized confidant, he’d probably keel over spitting blood.

Bai Zhao chuckled darkly. “That’s why I didn’t tell him. With his charges, he might get out someday. I don’t need more enemies.”

“You think he won’t hate you anyway? He’ll come for you when he’s out.”

“Then protect me…” Bai Zhao’s gaze and voice darkened, rough fingers tracing soft lips. “Young master, you’re all I’ve got.”

His low, heavy voice was a lid, smothering the sparks flaring in Yu Duqiu’s chest, dousing the flames of his temper.

This little beast might be gifted, pinching the impenetrable Yu Duqiu so perfectly.

“Now you want my protection?” Yu Duqiu, soothed, let go, body easing. “I don’t care how many secrets you have, but if your heart’s not mine, I’ll make you regret crossing me.”

Bai Zhao’s fingers laced through his, pinning his hands above his head, leaning close, words brushing his lips. “I’m about to risk my neck for you, and you’re threatening me?”

Yu Duqiu shot him a cold glance. “Who asked you to? Try dying and see.”

The petulant demand made Bai Zhao laugh, kissing his nose. “Then my effort… want it?”

Yu Duqiu scoffed, raising a skeptical brow. “How much effort can you have?”

The reply melted into their kiss.

“You’ll see…”

A brewing fight fizzled into absurdity.

Two hours later, a maid cleaning the study noticed the hundred-thousand-yuan leather sofa sported a human-shaped dent, not from sitting but as if someone was pressed into it for ages, shifting it inches.

Fresh from a shower, Yu Duqiu emerged from the bedroom bathroom, days of gloom lifted, feeling refreshed.

Physical release indeed patched up mental setbacks.

Hearing he was back, the kitchen rushed a fresh apple pie to his room. Too lazy to cut it, Yu Duqiu propped his legs on the beast who’d just worn him out, opening his mouth to be fed.

Bai Zhao happily obliged, slicing the pie into bite-sized pieces. As he offered a forkful, Hong Liangzhang’s voice came from outside. “Young master, may I come in?”

Yu Duqiu shut his mouth, silent.

Bai Zhao, sensing his turmoil, offered, “If you don’t want to see him, I’ll say you’re napping.”

Yu Duqiu shook his head. “No, I have to face him… just need a moment to steady myself, so he doesn’t see through me.”

The lifelong butler, close as family, had roots too deep. A tug felt like a blade, let alone uprooting.

Hong Liangzhang knocked again, repeating his request.

Yu Duqiu steadied his heart, saying, “Open the door.”

Hong Liangzhang entered with his usual kindly smile, like any grandpa seeing his grandkids, exuding no trace of guilt.

“Heard from the kitchen you’re back. Why didn’t the gate guard notify me?”

Yu Duqiu smiled casually. “Didn’t want to disturb your nap. You’ve been worried enough lately. Rest up, don’t fuss over me.”

Hong Liangzhang spotted the half-cut pie, taking over Bai Zhao’s task, slicing as he spoke. “With Yuanhang away, who else would I fuss over? Us old folks half in the grave have no other wish but our kids’ safety. If you don’t let me worry, I feel uneasy.”

Yu Duqiu’s gaze lingered on the sharp knife, a fleeting daze in his mind.

Their talk flowed naturally, as if nothing had changed.

But some things were irrevocably different.

He couldn’t undo the past, but he could stop things from rotting further.

Yu Duqiu took a slow, deep breath, delivering his rehearsed line calmly. “By the way, my mom’s coming back. Have her bring Yuanhang too, for a family reunion.”

The knife paused. Hong Liangzhang looked up, surprised. “Chairman Yu’s returning? For business?”

“Not entirely. She heard Ms. Cen’s case is being retried, wants to check in, and spend Mid-Autumn with me.”

Bai Zhao suddenly asked, “When’s your mom back?”

Yu Duqiu glanced at him oddly. “Mid-Autumn day, why?”

Bai Zhao replied, “Nothing.”

Yu Duqiu, guessing he was nervous, reassured, “We’ll host a banquet at home, I’ll introduce you to her. Any issues, I’ll handle. Don’t worry.”

“What issues?”

“Well, put simply, she won’t make it easy for you.” Yu Duqiu shrugged. “You’ve seen how she handles my dad.”

Bai Zhao recalled Jia Jin’s squad of burly bodyguards, falling silent.

Hong Liangzhang stayed quiet, neatly slicing the pie into uniform pieces. When their talk paused, he said casually, “Nice, you haven’t seen Chairman Yu in half a year, missed her in the U.S. Time for a reunion. But Yuanhang doesn’t need to come. Others might think he’s getting special treatment, and he’s still settling into his new department. Taking leave isn’t ideal.”

Yu Duqiu brushed it off. “You’re special in our house, everyone knows. Yuanhang’s your grandson, of course he gets perks. Leave it to me, I’ll ensure he stays a month.”

Hong Liangzhang waved it off. “Oh, young master, really, no need…”

“Enough, Hong-bo, don’t argue. I know you miss him. It’s settled. You handle the banquet, I’ll list guests later.” Yu Duuiu stretched his sore arms, continuing naturally, “Oh, Ji Lin might stop by soon. Tell the guards to let him in.”

Hong Liangzhang’s face shifted slightly. “Young master, didn’t we agree to stay out of police matters? Why again…”

“I know I shouldn’t, but Pei Ming’s confession suggests he’s not our guy. Ji Lin’s stressed, called me begging for help. I had to reluctantly pitch in, since he’s Mu Hao’s friend.”

Bai Zhao listened to his nonsense, glad Ji Lin wasn’t there.

Hong Liangzhang’s reaction to this news dwarfed his response to his grandson’s return, worry etching deeper lines in his brow. “Too dangerous, young master. You know there’s a mole. If they learn you’re helping the police again…”

For a moment, Yu Duqiu, seeing his genuine concern, wavered. Their deductions were just theories, not certain. If he was wrong… how nice that’d be.

But Hong Liangzhang’s next words yanked him back to cold reality.

“…Who knows if another Jiang Sheng will appear? You might not escape this time!”

Exactly as predicted.

Yu Duqiu hid his emotions behind his handsome, impassive face, replying flatly, “I know my limits. Don’t try to stop me.”

Hong Liangzhang, sensing his resolve, frustration knotting his chest, sighed and gave up after failing to sway him.

Leaving, he turned back. “Young master… remember when you were little, riding on my back?”

The memory pierced Yu Duqiu’s heart like a needle, his fingers curling slightly. “…I remember. Why bring it up?”

“Nothing, just reminiscing. You were so small then, weightless on my back. Even if you fell, I could easily catch you.”

Hong Liangzhang’s aged voice continued slowly. “Yesterday, watching you ride away from the orchard, so tall and dashing, truly grown. But my heart clenched… If you fall again, who’ll catch you? I’m old, I can’t protect you anymore, young master.”

“I don’t need protection. I can protect myself and you all now.” Yu Duqiu took a subtle deep breath, swallowing a lump in his throat. “As long as you stay in my circle, everything’s fixable. Even if you leave… you can come back.”

His final words trembled faintly, heard only by Bai Zhao, who glanced over—Yu Duqiu’s profile, smooth and porcelain, like a Renaissance sculpture, not cold but alive, with quivering lashes, pursed lips, and curled fingers, radiating warmth.

Such warmth was rare in Yu Duqiu. His eyes, smile, and lips were usually cool, only those close to his heart feeling this heat.

Sadly, not everyone cherished it.

“Some things can’t come back.” Hong Liangzhang sighed softly. “When you’re older, you’ll understand. I won’t say more, lest you find me naggy. Chairman Yu’s back next week, right? I’ll arrange the banquet. Rest well, young master.”

As the door closed, Yu Duqiu shut his eyes, his mind racing behind trembling lids.

Bai Zhao stroked his hair. “Your hints were too obvious. If he catches on, your plan’s bust.”

Yu Duqiu gave a bitter smile. “Couldn’t help it… Still need to bring Hong Yuanhang back under watch, have a chip in hand so he won’t act rashly… Never thought I’d have to guard against him.”

“He didn’t want this either, but most people care for more than one person. Choosing’s hard sometimes.”

Yu Duqiu opened his eyes. “You? Who else do you care about? Who’d you betray me for?”

Bai Zhao met his gaze. “Only you. I’d betray anyone for you.”

“Liar.”

“Lying makes me a puppy.”

“You’re already my puppy.” Yu Duqiu laughed first. “So childish. Don’t say that in front of my mom, she’ll think you’re an idiot.”

Bai Zhao asked, “What should I say to seem smart?”

“Nothing’s safest. Be a mute pretty boy, I’ll handle the rest. You’ve got a bigger task ahead, don’t forget.”

“Yeah, when do I move?”

Yu Duqiu leaned in, kissing his cheek. “Tonight. Win this round for me, my Queen.”