BL Ch78

On August 20th, the sky over Pingyi City was filled with rolling dark clouds, with the sky hanging low, enveloping the entire city in endless grey.

Hong Liangzhang, supporting his old back, stood by the window looking up at the gloomy weather, sighing, “It’s not going to be a thunderstorm, is it… Young Master, why not wait until tomorrow when it clears up? Besides, Jia Jin and his team will arrive tomorrow. You could take a few more people to make it a lucky number. Right now, we have 13… that’s not a good number.”

Yu Duqiu had just put on the watch with the suspected curse, the Nautilus, and raised his arm for Bai Zhao, the temporary male servant, to fold back his shirt sleeve, replying, “The weather forecast says there’s no rain today, and 13 is considered unlucky in Western culture, not here in China. There’s no Messiah or Judas betraying here. In Chinese culture, 13 is considered a lucky number, like the 13 sects in Buddhism, representing the perfection of merit. Even if we’re superstitious, we should consider the locale, right, Uncle Hong?”

Hong Liangzhang was taken aback, “Is that so? I wasn’t aware…”

Lou Baoguo whispered to Zhou Yi, “Isn’t this using superstition to defeat superstition?”

Zhou Yi had no time for him, fiddling with his phone, “Go away, I’m busy.”

“Busy with what?”

“Xiao Guo is about to start school, and she still has a lot of homework left. This summer was too busy to properly supervise her… Sigh, we’re leaving the country soon, not knowing when we’ll be back, so I’m telling her grandparents to keep an eye on her.”

Yu Duqiu was admiring himself in front of the dressing mirror when he suddenly remembered, “By the way, how’s the investigation into that case at Ping Middle School? Still haven’t found out who placed the photos?”

Zhou Yi shook his head, “Xiao Guo said all the students at their school have been investigated by the police, but no suspicious persons were found. Either the perpetrator is an excellent liar, or… it really wasn’t someone from the school.”

“If it wasn’t someone from the school, then only the police and our people went in and out of Ping Middle during that time. Could it really be… Ji Lin?”

Zhou Yi: “Probably not…”

Just last week at the cemetery, he said he didn’t doubt him anymore, but to Yu Duqiu, heartfelt sincerity only lasted a week.

Bai Zhao smoothed out Yu Duqiu’s suit, making sure there wasn’t a single wrinkle, then said, “You’d better not ask him if he placed the photos later.”

Yu Duqiu was surprised, “Of course, I won’t. If he really did it, I’d just be alerting him. Do you think I lack common sense?”

“…”

Everyone silently nodded in their hearts: Indeed, you do.

Ji Lin, drinking tea in the living room downstairs, suddenly sneezed, rubbing his nose, and when he looked up, he saw a group of men in black suits surrounding one in white, descending the spiral staircase… Wait, why did he use “again”?

Ji Lin pondered, suddenly recalling: This was the scene from the day of the jewelry exhibition not long ago.

That day was filled with so many events, especially the kidnapping at night and Jiang Sheng’s car accident, followed by the revelation of Bai Zhiming’s faked death, all being major breakthroughs, causing some details and speculations to be overlooked and left unresolved. Now, seeing the large ruby ring on Yu Duqiu’s left middle finger, he remembered that they had speculated the murder weapon in the Rain Lane case might have been a jewelry ring.

And the ring Yu Duqiu was wearing was a one-to-one replica of that murder weapon.

The sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the living room not only made the ruby in the ring setting dazzling but also seemed to emit a flash of cold, sharp light.

It was the unique reflection of a cold weapon.

Ji Lin’s heart skipped a beat, “Why are you wearing that? We’re not going to kill anyone.”

“Just for protection.” Yu Duqiu, unusually childish, reached out to hook Ji Lin’s chin, giving a creepy, wide grin, imitating a serial killer’s tone, saying the classic line in a sinister voice, “Why so serious?”

His hand didn’t make it; another hand intercepted it.

Bai Zhao, with a dark expression, said, “Young Master, a friend’s wife is not to be touched.”

That one sentence stunned everyone present.

Bai Zhao then naturally took Yu Duqiu’s hand and walked out.

Lou Baoguo quickly pushed Zhou Yi and Uncle Hong to escape the scene, whispering, “Hurry, hurry, we’re doomed once he realizes what’s going on.”

By the time Ji Lin, who was dazed, finally came to his senses and got angry, everyone else in the living room had already vanished.

The enraged Captain Ji couldn’t immediately catch anyone to lash out at, leaving him with his anger stuck inside. His wheat-colored face turned bright red, and he was still not over it when they reached the airport.

Pei Ming, who had arrived earlier, was waiting and, seeing Ji Lin’s indignant look, jokingly asked, “What’s wrong with Officer Ji? Duqiu, did you bully him?”

Yu Duqiu spread his hands innocently, “Brother Pei, don’t wrong me; it was your bold former employee who did it.”

Pei Ming smiled, “Oh, it was Bai Zhao. He’s young; don’t take it to heart.”

This statement… somehow felt off. Yu Duqiu thought about it, probably because Pei Ming’s tone was too condescending.

Just for saying “former employee” in jest, he really thought of himself as a leader.

Yu Duqiu’s eyes darted, and he pulled his bodyguard closer, resting an arm on his shoulder, “Baby, apologize to Captain Ji. Don’t make fun of him next time; it was too much.”

Ji Lin, in his anger, managed a laugh, “Isn’t it you who’s corrupting him?”

“When have I ever made fun of you? Don’t slander me, Captain Ji.” Yu Duqiu, who could remember eating an apple on his tenth birthday, suddenly had amnesia, “I’ve always respected you, haven’t I?”

Ji Lin felt like he wanted to pinch himself or he might pass out from the frustration.

Bai Zhao finally apologized as instructed, and since it wasn’t a big deal, Ji Lin waved it off, not wanting to waste more energy on such trivial verbal sparring.

The real battle was yet to come.

The Gulfstream G650 spread its wings, flying into the layers of dark clouds. After breaking through the troposphere, all one could see was still a grey expanse.

Yu Duqiu lowered the window shade and settled into the sofa.

His security and entourage had flown ahead on a commercial flight, and he only brought four people on board. Currently, they and Pei Ming’s people were seated on opposite sides, with Yu Duqiu unexpectedly having the advantage in numbers.

“Brother Pei, you’re just bringing a secretary on this trip?” Yu Duqiu asked, tilting his head.

Pei Ming asked for a glass of champagne from the flight attendant, sipping it as he replied, “Not just that; others will meet us at Mandalay Airport. It’s too chaotic there to travel with just a few people.”

That sounded more reasonable. But the question was, would any of those people be the “Queen” they’ve been looking for?

“Duqiu, you’re one to talk; you didn’t even bring a secretary,” Pei Ming laughed, “Are you here to work or to play?”

Yu Duqiu pouted, “I don’t like being monitored 24/7 while I work. I remember my schedule; my secretary only needs to handle company matters for me.”

Ji Lin, remembering what Yuan Li said before the last press conference, mocked, “No wonder your staff says you hardly go to the office. With the product already made, aren’t you thinking about how to promote it? Doesn’t that fit your image as a cunning businessman?”

Yu Duqiu smiled nonchalantly, “Captain Ji, that’s not something you should worry about. What would you like for lunch? I’ll have it made.”

Ji Lin asked warily, “Who’s making it? Your new chef? Have they been checked? We don’t want a repeat of last time.”

“I’ve checked, and I’ve slept with him; he’s barely acceptable.”

“…Bai Zhao?”

“Uh-huh.”

Ji Lin was not surprised or concerned about their secretive affair. However, Pei Ming seemed taken aback by Yu Duqiu’s candid admission, his hand trembling, causing the champagne to spill on his trousers, leaving an unsightly dark stain.

The secretary immediately covered the stain with a napkin, but there was no detergent on the plane, and once the champagne soaked into the fabric, it would be hard to clean.

“It’s okay.” Pei Ming exhaled, smiling at Yu Duqiu across from him, “Fortunately, I brought a spare set. Duqiu, could I use your lounge?”

“Sure, feel free.”

Once the door to the lounge at the back of the plane closed, Yu Duqiu asked puzzledly, “Is it surprising that I slept with Bai Zhao? He knows my sexual orientation, so what’s there to be shocked about? Even you weren’t surprised.”

Ji Lin: “Heh, I’ve just become numb to it.”

Since preparing lunch for everyone on board was quite a task, Bai Zhao had gone into the kitchen early. Yu Duqiu considerately asked, “Do you need my help?”

Everyone hastily stopped him.

Having changed clothes, Pei Ming seemed to have processed the shock from earlier, regaining his composure. He casually asked, “What did Captain Ji mean by ‘last time’ just now?”

Ji Lin was taken aback.

What was this about? Pretending not to know?

Dong Yongliang was still under police surveillance; after being acquitted, he hadn’t sought work, returning to his hometown to enjoy his retirement. Perhaps out of guilt or because he made enough money from the Yu family to last a lifetime.

He was indeed lucky; all those manipulated by the “Queen” met grim fates – Wu Min, Huang Hanxiang, Jiang Sheng all died, Liu Shaojie died, Bai Zhiming faked his death, but Dong Yongliang, who never directly dealt with the “Queen,” narrowly escaped death.

Similarly, Du Lingya, as Peizhuo’s beloved, was naturally safe.

Pei Ming should have been the one who instigated Peizhuo to persuade Du Lingya; how could he not know about Dong Yongliang? His question must have been a probe, but for what?

It was completely unclear what Pei Ming intended with that question.

Yu Duqiu didn’t plan to elaborate, brushing it off, “Just a small matter. When did Brother Pei become so gossipy?”

“Just asking.” Fortunately, Pei Ming didn’t seem intent on digging further, “It’s still five hours to Mandalay, and then another seven hours by car to Mogok. It’s a long journey; we need something to talk about.”

Yu Duqiu smoothly changed the subject, “Do you go to Mogok often, Brother Pei?”

“I used to go often. A few years ago, the Myanmar government stopped all gem mining, and the mining permits, issued every four years, were nearly expired with no new ones issued. Many companies withdrew, including us. Now, it’s all small-scale, workshop-style mining there.”

If they truly withdrew, how did Peizhuo get those pigeon blood red earrings? Perhaps the Pei family left some employees there to continue mining under the government’s radar.

Pei Ming sighed, “Our family made our fortune there. Decades ago, my father struck it rich in Mogok, but the place is too close to the Shan State Special Region. You should know how chaotic Shan State is; it’s still a major area affected by drugs, let alone back then. My father accidentally got on the wrong path.”

Even if one knew something about China’s history of drug control, mentioning Shan State wouldn’t excuse Pei Xianyong’s crimes. Pei Ming’s use of “accidentally” was just to beautify his father’s criminal acts.

Ji Lin scoffed, his face turning cold, “Your father was investigated years after returning to China, already successful. How could he still illegally possess so much drugs? It’s not easy to ‘accidentally’ get that much in China, is it?”

Ji Lin’s blunt words made Pei Ming’s face briefly show displeasure, but he quickly hid it, saying calmly, “Captain Ji is right; in the end, it was his own doing. It would have been fine if he bore the consequences alone, but he dragged the whole family down, alas.”

Here he goes again with the pity party.

Ji Lin was set to clash with him today, “Mr. Pei, don’t be too sad. Even if your family was dragged down, you still live better than us ordinary folks.”

Pei Ming’s eyes darkened with a brief frown, as if recalling unpleasant memories, forcing a bitter smile without any joy, “Being an ordinary person would have been peaceful, but once you’ve been lifted to the heights and then fall, it hurts. I envy you, Duqiu, you’ve always been at the top.”

Yu Duqiu casually twirled a strand of hair, saying, “Who hasn’t felt pain in this world? Just take today’s passengers – Old Zhou lost his beloved wife, Bai Zhao lost his parents, Captain Ji lost his love…”

Ji Lin glared at him with raised eyebrows.

“…lost a dear friend.” Yu Duqiu quickly corrected, avoiding a mid-air brawl, “Tolstoy once said, ‘If you feel pain, then you are still alive.’ Being alive is better than being dead, right?”

Pei Ming chuckled, “I remember the second half is ‘If you feel the pain of others, then you are truly human.’ Sadly, not everyone is human; some take pleasure in others’ pain.”

Ji Lin looked at Yu Duqiu with suspicion: Is he mocking you?

Yu Duqiu understood his expression: Why do you think he’s mocking me first?

Needless to say, it was because Yu Duqiu often didn’t act human.

While they were chatting, the dishes prepared by Bai Zhao were served on the cabin’s small dining tables. Due to the limited conditions on the plane, and for the sake of a certain young master with a cleanliness obsession, they were made into individual meal sets, each including two meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, and one soup, all home-style cooking.

Yu Duqiu’s plate had an extra portion of braised fish chunks, with all the bones carefully removed. The white fish meat was covered in thick sauce, the aroma familiar.

Yu Duqiu pretended not to notice Bai Zhao’s little thoughtful gesture, stirring his plate with his chopsticks absentmindedly, “Bai Zhao, let’s eat at the back.”

Without a word, Bai Zhao picked up their plates and followed him to the lounge at the back of the cabin.

The others were used to it, but Pei Ming was slightly surprised, “Duqiu seems to treat this bodyguard very specially?”

Zhou Yi didn’t dare reveal too much, simply saying, “Xiao Bai is handsome and capable; the young master likes him.”

Pei Ming’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t ask more.

In the lounge, the bed was just decoration as they sat facing each other at a small table by the porthole. The plane had passed through the cloud zone, and the thick clouds began to disperse, revealing a faint green beneath, likely flying over some rolling mountains.

Yu Duqiu rested his chin on his hand, opened his mouth to take a piece of fish meat Bai Zhao fed him, then turned to look at the scenery, “Your cooking is good, better than that small restaurant’s the other day. If you want to feed me in the future, just say so; no need for these roundabout tactics.”

Bai Zhao scooped some rice with his chopsticks, waiting for Yu Duqiu to finish chewing the fish before offering it, “I didn’t say anything; you asked me to feed you.”

And he climbed up the pole that was offered.

Yu Duqiu snorted, not bothering to argue, and took the rice.

Only after Yu Duqiu had finished eating did Bai Zhao start on his own food, which had cooled by then, quickly devouring it in a few bites.

“Eat slower; you look like you’re used to not having enough to eat.” Yu Duqiu said, then remembered the small, dark basement.

It was indeed possible.

Bai Zhao returned the empty dishes to the kitchen and came back to the lounge, closing the door, “They’re still eating. I told them you wanted to nap, so we won’t go out.”

“Lying without changing your expression, huh?” Yu Duqiu’s eyes smiled, “Then why did you come in? They’ll think I want to sleep with you.”

“Let them think what they want.” Bai Zhao took out a small gold-edged leather box from a cabinet and placed it on the table.

Yu Duqiu: “What’s this?”

Bai Zhao unlocked it with a code, lifting the heavy lid – 32 gold and silver chess pieces stood neatly in their compartments, with a 64-square chessboard printed underneath when flipped over.

“I had Uncle Hong send this on the plane beforehand, in case you got bored on this trip.”

Yu Duqiu, accustomed to luxurious gifts and people revolving around him since childhood, rarely found something that genuinely surprised him.

But he was indeed a bit delighted at this moment.

“Others prepare fun for me with fine wine and beautiful men, but you’re interesting, bringing me a chess set.”

Bai Zhao took out the pieces one by one, turned the box over as the board, and placed the pieces in their starting positions, “We’re here to solve a case, not to seek pleasure. Chess might help broaden your thinking.”

Yu Duqiu picked up the previously broken knight, now restored to its original glory by a skilled craftsman, shining like new.

“I wonder if we can checkmate directly this time; I feel like there will be more unexpected events.”

Bai Zhao, as usual, took control of the silver pieces, moving a pawn first, asking, “Want to set a secret signal?”

Yu Duqiu was puzzled, “Haven’t we set one already?”

“Not the one you gave me, but the one I give you.”

“…You want to command me?”

“Yes.”

Yu Duqiu set down the knight, looking at him with interest, “Let’s hear it.”

“If I call you by your full name, no matter what happens, you must listen to me, regardless of my fate.”

The air was silent for a few seconds.

Yu Duqiu’s gaze grew deep as he said slowly, “I don’t think you have the right to call me by my full name, nor do I think we’ll encounter such dire situations. We’re just backup, not going to the front line. Even if there’s combat, the people I brought can protect us.”

“But you don’t know if an accident or tomorrow will come first.”

“Of course, it’s the accident, no doubt.”

“Why?”

“Because once I decide an accident will come first, if tomorrow comes first, that would also be an accident for me. Then this question has only one answer, and I won’t be bothered by it, just need to stay alert and prepare for any accidents.”

Bai Zhao laughed, “Sophistry.”

Yu Duqiu picked up his gold king, ignoring the chess rules, moved it across the board to the enemy’s back line, knocking over the silver king, “Just like this game, logically, there are multiple outcomes, but you just need to believe I will win. Don’t say such last words-like signals again.”

At that moment, the LCD screen in the lounge lit up, displaying the plane’s current position, accompanied by the captain’s announcement: “Young Master Yu, respected passengers, we have entered Myanmar airspace and are expected to land in one hour.”

Outside the porthole, rain suddenly started, quickly turning into a downpour. The sky darkened as if it might collapse, the clouds thicker than in China, completely obscuring the landscape below. The rain hit the thick window with a dull, dense sound.

“Could this be a warning from above?” Bai Zhao looked down at the sky-obscuring black clouds, “The heavens are unpredictable, as are human fortunes. You can’t guard against all accidents.”

“I’m an atheist; I don’t believe in heaven. I’d rather believe that the bottle of Pichon Longueville we drank before departure means we will return victorious.” Yu Duqiu’s fingers tapped the wooden chessboard, the familiar tune mingling with the sound of rain, “The die is cast, your choice is only to go forward with me. As my queen, you must be prepared for this, understand?”

Bai Zhao gave a deep laugh, the cold shadow of rain casting on his face, his smile tinged with a chill.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”