The next day, Luo Ran went to work as usual.

Tomorrow, Lucas would leave for Luobing, and had also said he would be taking him along, so Luo Ran had to make more preparations to ensure that the handover could be settled before they left.

“Secretary Luo.” Just after midnight, the captain of the investigation team handed a document to Luo Ran.

Knowing that the captain was coming to hand over the document in person, Luo Ran had already dismissed Rong Duo, so there were only the two of them outside the office.

The captain said: “We looked into the relationship between the Lion Hunters Chamber of Commerce and the First Prince, and confirmed that the First Prince did give J9 to the Lion Hunters. Also, the reason why the medicine is sold so cheaply is because the First Prince is paying for it.”

Luo Ran frowned slightly.

That was to say, the First Prince provided the factory costs, and the chamber of commerce was only responsible for selling it and making money?

So in order to make more money, they simply sold it cheaper, and had zero cost at all.

Why was the First Prince doing this? What was the benefit?

“As for whether the Lion Hunters Chamber of Commerce is composed of star pirates, we cannot yet confirm, but the foreign chairman of the chamber of commerce is Earl Randolph.”

“Okay.”

Luo Ran nodded.

After he sat down, he continued to ponder the First Prince’s purpose.

Perhaps he needed the star pirates along with their military strength, so he was willing to give them so many benefits.

Perhaps because Lucas inflicted heavy losses on the star pirates before, both the First Prince and Huntsman wanted to restore the star pirates’ vitality as soon as possible.

Or was it actually not that complicated, and the chamber of commerce was just a means for the First Prince to make money?

Luo Ran paused. He checked the information and called home.

“Mom……”

“What’s wrong, Ranran?”

“Can you give me Aunt Yu’s contact information?”

Luo Ran wanted to get back in touch with the blind date who had blacklisted him, Yu Han. Firstly to apologize and explain the situation, and then to ask him for a favor.

After all, Yu Han worked in the government’s financial department.

Luo Ran didn’t intend to bother him at first, and didn’t want to pester others for help. But now, Luo Ran must be sure of one thing.

According to speculation and Zhou Mingkai’s unintentional disclosure, Yu Han had been bribed and intimidated into blocking him so decisively. Otherwise, even if Lucas went to question him, this wouldn’t be the case, and he might even feel forced.

But Luo Ran was certain that Lucas would not do such a thing. He would only make trouble on the surface, and after making trouble, he might even feel self-righteous about it.

So……

Now the First Prince was suspected to be in collusion with the star pirates. It had not yet been confirmed, but Luo Ran and the others were investigating him.

So Luo Ran didn’t want to miss anything about the First Prince.

Luo Ran contacted Mother Yu, explained the situation to her straightforwardly and honestly, and asked her to relay it on his behalf.

After a while, Yu Han called him directly.

Luo Ran breathed a sigh of relief, and said politely after connecting: “Mr. Yu.”

Yu Han’s voice was still steady and gentle, with no anger or grievance. After understanding the situation, he explained to Luo Ran in detail the characteristics of those who had blackmailed him.

Then Luo Ran made an appointment with Yu Han.

Luo Ran said: “When I return from Luobing, I will contact Mr. Yu. I’ll arrange the location. It is best for this to be kept confidential.”

Even though Luo Ran wouldn’t mention the royal family, it was still a bit sensitive to ask Yu Han to help investigate.

After everything was finalized, Luo Ran put down the terminal and saw Lucas standing to the side with a very bad expression, looking at Luo Ran silently.

“Admiral……? When did you come back?” Luo Ran was startled.

Lucas said with a sneer: “When you made an appointment with that ‘Mr. Yu.’ Is it Yu Han? Your blind date?”

“…….” Luo Ran said: “Admiral, Mr. Yu and I……”

“Shut up!” Lucas bared his teeth and said: “What, is this a resurgence of old feelings? You want to make an appointment to chat in a secret place?”

“…….” Luo Ran said: “Admiral, please let me explain. I contacted Yu Han for this.”

Luo Ran directly passed the investigation team’s report to Lucas.

“Mr. Yu works in the Ministry of Finance, he can help me leverage the data.”

“…….” Lucas scoffed coldly. “You can call someone else to leverage the data, I don’t like you contacting him.”

Lucas paused and then turned his head: “I don’t like you contacting your blind date partner. You obviously like me, so why is there still a blind date…..”

The more he spoke, the more wronged he felt.

“……I like you?” Luo Ran was even more confused.

“You think I don’t know?” Lucas bared his teeth and said: “You said it clearly. You told the princess from Luobing whose name I can’t remember at that previous banquet!”

“…….”

“You heard that?”

Luo Ran stared blankly at Lucas.

Finished. He was finished.

“I, I……” Luo Ran lowered his head and said: “I lied to Her Royal Highness Lilia…….I, I spoke nonsense, just to make Her Royal Highness stop pestering me.”

“…….”

The atmosphere was suddenly quiet.

Still.

Eerily silent.

Three minutes later.

Lucas released Luo Ran’s collar and whispered: “You mean, you lied to her, and you don’t like me?”

“…….” Luo Ran was a little nervous, and nodded in a daze.

Lucas turned around blankly and left without saying a word.

He went back to the military department.

Holding the juice in his hand, Luo Ran stood there in a daze and thoroughly panicked.

W-was he angry?

He seemed very……sad?

Had he accidentally……hurt Lucas?

. . . . . .

Presently, at the military shooting range.

“Bam! Bam!”

“Bam!”

Wang Qiuyang and Lu Cheng exchanged glances.

What was the matter with the admiral? Didn’t he leave? Why was he here again?

Standing alone in the shooting range and continuously firing, the aura around him looked extremely depressed.

Almost depressed enough to murder people.

Wang Qiuyang nudged Lu Cheng with his elbow, motioning for him to go ask.

Lu Cheng: “…….”

Lu Cheng bared his teeth and nudged Wang Qiuyang back with his elbow.

If you want someone to go, then you go! I’m not going to die!

“Come here!” Lucas suddenly turned his head and said to the two of them viciously: “What are you doing chattering behind me? Come and train with me!”

“…….”

The two went, resigned to their fates.

Clatter.

Lucas threw the gun to the side with force and changed to a different one, shooting wildly at the distant target.

Keeping his silence.

. . . . . . 

“Secretary Luo, Secretary Luo!”

“Ah……?”

Luo Ran suddenly returned to his senses, and only then did he realize that Rong Duo was calling for him.

“What’s wrong with Secretary Luo? Are you uncomfortable?” Rong Duo was a bit worried.

Luo Ran was clearly not in the right state today.

“It’s nothing.” Luo Ran rubbed his temples.

Rong Duo handed a document to Luo Ran and said: “I’ve sorted it out, Secretary Luo can look it over.”

“En, thank you.”

The office door opened. Lucas was about to go downstairs for a meeting.

“Admiral……!” Luo Ran hurriedly got up with a smile. “Is the admiral going to discuss a new escort route for the ice mines? Do you want me to come along?”

Lucas glanced at Luo Ran, opened his mouth as if he wanted to speak, and finally turned his head, going downstairs without a word.

“…….”

Staring at Lucas’s back, Luo Ran was stunned.

Rong Duo could see Luo Ran unconsciously rubbing the hem of his clothes with his hands beside her, and his complexion was also a little pale.

T-they quarreled…….?

No wonder Luo Ran was in a sluggish state today.

Rong Duo was a little surprised.

Wow, the secretary and the admiral also had fights?

“Secretary Luo…….don’t worry, just……” Rong Duo thought to herself, quarrel and then make up in bed, what’s the big deal!

“The admiral has a bad memory, he’ll stop being angry in no time!”

“En.” Luo Ran nodded absently, then got up and said: “I’ll go to the medical department.”

He was going to ask Shen Xiluo for a signature.

Xia Zhi was also in the medical department now, and when he saw Luo Ran coming, he immediately stepped forward and dragged him to have a cup of coffee together.

“Ranran is leaving again tomorrow,” Xia Zhi said with a sigh. “Ranran is different when he’s being pursued by the admiral. He doesn’t come drink coffee with me very much anymore.”

The two of them were sitting at a booth in the medical department’s restaurant, as Luo Ran had decided to stay for a meal while he was here.

Luo Ran paused, and said: “Xiaxia, can I ask you a few questions?”

“En?”

Luo Ran said: “Can you distinguish between a romantic sort of love and the love you have for family? If……if you accidentally hurt someone else, I mean…….”

Luo Ran had always been calm and professional. Now, seeing Luo Ran out of his wits, Xia Zhi knew the reason without even thinking about it, and interrupted: “Did you have a fight with the admiral? Relationship problems?”

“No.” Luo Ran didn’t know what to say. “I rejected the admiral’s confession. We……”

Luo Ran fell silent as he got his words together.

“The reason for your refusal……” Xia Zhi raised his eyebrows and said: “Is because you think the admiral likes you, but not in that way?”

“……..” Luo Ran recalled that day in the bathroom. Lucas’s reaction really gave him a wakeup call.

If it was someone Lucas didn’t like, he would definitely feel disgusted, and wouldn’t have had……that kind of reaction.

Luo Ran said: “That’s not it.”

“Then do you think it’s your own liking for the admiral that isn’t like that?”

“…….I don’t know.”

Xia Zhi said: “Then can you accept the admiral liking others?”

Luo Ran was stunned, and said: “I never thought……the admiral wouldn’t like others, he’s too resistant to outsiders. It’s impossible.”

“Then why is he still pursuing you so hard?” Xia Zhi looked at Luo Ran with a smile: “If it’s like what you said, then what are you afraid of?”

Luo Ran froze.

Xia Zhi filled up Luo Ran’s cup, lowered his eyes, and said: “Your situation itself is a circle, and you’re too smart and cautious to get yourself out of it.”

“You cherish him so much that you dare not take that step, but why do you cherish him so much? If you think the admiral doesn’t understand love and doesn’t really like you, then why do you have such a concept? You think it’s good now, so you can accept maintaining the status quo, and in the future he won’t give his tenderness to others?”

Luo Ran stared senselessly at the food in front of him, and didn’t move the chopsticks in his hand.

He felt uncomfortable and sad when Lucas was cold toward him.

For the first time, Luo Ran imagined Lucas being kind to others.

It felt impossible.

But if Lucas really cared for another person tenderly and trusted them unconditionally……

Dating and marrying another person, kissing them, being intimate with them, exposing his lion’s belly……

Luo Ran frowned slightly, tightening his grip on his chopsticks.

“Let’s eat, ba, and talk when we’re full.” Xia Zhi used his chopsticks to give Luo Ran a piece of meat. “Eat more meat and add some protein. It’s really hard work to go to Luobing with the admiral in your current spiritual state.”

. . . . . .

The next day, the team officially set out for Luobing.

This time, it was just a military parade, so Lucas didn’t bring the army with him. Besides, he was on “vacation,” so he just brought Wang Qiuyang and Freeman, plus a small team to set off.

“This time, we’re going to the Luobing frontier. The journey will be relatively long. The admiral plans to stop at a few army stations and Empire patrol strongholds along the way.” Standing by the window, Wang Qiuyang and Luo Ran watched the battleship leave the Empire and enter the increasingly cold space.

Luo Ran put on a thick winter jacket.

He enjoyed standing by the window of the battleship and watching the scenery, and would rather give up the heating in his battleship room to see the vast universe and starry expanse.

This was the scenery that Lucas had watched since he was a child.

After traveling for half a day, the battleship stopped at a stronghold.

Lucas asked Wang Qiuyang to stay with Luo Ran on the battleship for a while, and went down to see if it was warm enough.

Luo Ran was not in a good spiritual state now, and Lucas didn’t want him be blown by the cold wind.

After all, a military station base was naturally crude, and a group of soldiers would not fear the cold.

Five minutes later, Freeman came up and said: “Secretary Luo can go down!”

Luo Ran asked: “Where is the admiral now?”

“Ah, he and the commander here went to the shooting range!”

Luo Ran nodded, and said with a smile: “Can I go and have a look?”

When Luo Ran arrived at the shooting range, he saw Lucas standing aside and competing with the commander.

There was an interesting game in the Luobing military camp, and could be regarded as exercise, which was to play with snowflakes. A machine would drop large flakes of snow from the sky, and the soldiers could compete to see who could hit more in three minutes.

The snowflakes were light and thin, making them much harder to hit than the targets.

As soon as Lucas arrived, he was dragged into a game by the commander, and he had just now won a round.

It was an overwhelming victory, with a score of 81 to 34.

Simply an inhuman achievement.

“Who else is not convinced?” Lucas shook the gun in his hand and raised his eyebrows, saying: “Bring yourselves up here! I want to compete in a few games!”

Luo Ran hesitated, then stood next to Lucas and picked up a gun.

The audience was in an uproar, and began to shout and applaud.

Lucas was surprised, and looked at Luo Ran with a frown.

He had been ignoring Luo Ran all day, but Luo Ran took the initiative to confront Lucas in full public view.

Lucas paused and wanted to say something, but turned and left in the end.

The commander and the others stared at them blankly, not daring to speak.

Luo Ran put down his gun with a smile and chased after him.

“Admiral!”

Lucas strode aboard the battleship.

He didn’t want to leave Luo Ran like this, but he was really suffering. He had caused so much trouble for Luo Ran, and he didn’t want to lose his temper in front of Luo Ran and hurt him.

He needed to vent by himself, and then he could once again continue to pursue Luo Ran.

“Admiral……!”

“Ah……hiss.”

Luo Ran seemed to have sprained his ankle.

“? !”

Lucas frowned, and subconsciously stopped, turning around.

Then Luo Ran threw himself into his arms.

Luo Ran directly rushed into Lucas’s arms and pushed him against the wall.

Lucas: “? ? ?”

Fuck, he was faking it!

“Admiral, listen to me,” Luo Ra said. “Don’t leave yet.”

Presently, Luo Ran had stretched out his hands to block Lucas between his body and the wall, but because of the difference in height and figure, it looked like Luo Ran was being hugged.

This may be Luo Ran’s first and only gaffe in his life.

Luo Ran feared Lucas would leave, so he didn’t let him speak, and immediately said: “I like you, I like you.”

Lucas froze in place, suspecting that he had heard wrong.

Luo Ran lowered his head. His ears and cheeks were blushing almost to the point of bleeding. In any case, he had said everything, broken the jar, and tossed it all out there.

“I…..I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to lie to you.”

Lucas was stunned, and subconsciously reached out to gently rub the back of Luo Ran’s head.

Luo Ran took a deep breath and said earnestly: “I don’t believe in myself, but I believe in you.”

“Admiral, I like you, sincerely.”

“Would you like to try being with me?”

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Sixty-Three << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixty-Five

T/N: Than you to Ian for the Kofi! Your bonus chapter is up after this one.

“Can I?”

Luo Ran’s pheromones made him somewhat……unable to control himself.

At this moment, Luo Ran had his head buried in Lucas’s arms, unconsciously emitting pheromones.

An Alpha would be induced by an Omega’s pheromones to go into rut and lose his mind. Lucas was an SSS Alpha, so there had never been an Omega who could affect him, and he had been basically isolated from the pheromones in the outside world.

But Luo Ran was an SSS Omega, someone he had given a temporary mark to before, and……

He was the person he liked.

Lucas had no ability to refuse him.

His breathing was even heavier than Luo Ran’s.

However a temporary mark and teasing were completely different from suppressing someone with pheromones. Unless it was in a moment of crisis like before, Lucas was unwilling to mark him unless Luo Ran was willing.

“Can I?” Lucas hugged Luo Ran tightly and urgently asked again.

“…….” Luo Ran panted heavily and didn’t know how to answer.

The first time, he was marked by an inebriated Lucas, and the second time, Lucas acted during an emergency while he was unconscious. 

Luo Ran had never experienced being actively and consciously marked.

He gripped Lucas’s shoulders harder and harder, and the pain became increasingly more unbearable.

Luo Ran couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Luo Ran…….!” Lucas looked distressed. “Can I or not!”

Luo Ran closed his eyes and said in a whisper: “Can anyone see……”

There seemed to be no other option.

If he was not marked by Lucas, even if he gritted his teeth and endured the pain, it would damage his spiritual power in the long run.

He had to rely on Lucas’s pheromone therapy.

“No.” Lucas turned sideways to block Luo Ran and said: “I’ll know if someone comes.”

The two men were huddling in the corner at this moment, covered by the curtains. Luo Ran was pressed against the glass window, and the night illumination spilled in, coating Luo Ran in a layer of silver light.

Although he knew that no one could see in from outside, Luo Ran could see the scenery outside and his own faint reflection, so he was still very tense and ill at ease.

A mark……

Let Lucas mark him……

Did he really want to do it?

Luo Ran was suddenly a bit lost in thought.

He saw the scene behind Lucas change.

A sky that was dyed blood red.

This was a scene that Luo Ran had never experienced, and he was struck with confusion.

“Luo Ran.” Lucas gripped Luo Ran’s chin, forcing him to look up at him, and said word by word, “Trust me.”

“…….”

Luo Ran took a deep breath, lowered his head toward Lucas, and exposed the Omega gland on the back of his neck in silent acquiescence. 

Facing this sort of defenseless trust of an Omega, no Alpha could resist.

Lucas held Luo Ran’s waist with one hand and pressed the back of his head with the other.

With Luo Ran’s head lowered, he could see the line connecting his neck to his shoulder with the most perfect proportions. The skin of his neck was covered by a high collar all year-round, delicate and fair.

The closer he got, the better he could smell the elegant and fragrant scent of white tea.

The scent was very light, and even the pheromones had a sense of distance.

The pheromones went to his head, and he wanted to possess this unfathomable person in front of him.

Lucas bowed his head and bit down on the soft, slightly protruding skin.

“Wu……”

The moment the pheromones invaded his body, Luo Ran’s brow tensed and he subconsciously tried to escape, but Lucas’s hands were like big iron clamps, and he couldn’t move.

The overwhelming pheromones pouring into his body through the glands made Luo Ran feel only one thing from his limbs to his brain — the feeling of being marked.

……Being taken.

The temporary marking only lasted for a moment before Lucas finished, moving away from Luo Ran’s gland.

Lucas gently rubbed the back of Luo Ran’s head and said: “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Luo Ran was completely unable to remain upright, and leaned his entire weight on Lucas.

“Don’t cry, it won’t hurt anymore.” Lucas covered Luo Ran’s eyes with his palm.

Luo Ran was taken aback for a moment, and only then noticed that his eyes were misted over, but he wasn’t really crying, either. It was just the physiological tears from being marked.

“I’m not crying.”

After being marked, Luo Ran’s storm of stabbing pain suddenly disappeared. Although the pain was still buzzing in his head, it was within his tolerable range.

The pain gradually receded, and Luo Ran felt it was miraculous.

Luo Ran continued to try to stay upright, but didn’t notice that he was encircling Lucas’s neck with his arms.

“Luo Ran,” Lucas said hoarsely, “Stop moving.”

Luo Ran was taken aback.

He was pressed against Lucas, and felt a place that shouldn’t be felt.

It was.

Rock solid.

Luo Ran: “…….”

Lucas: “…….”

Only then did Luo Ran come to a realization, and hurriedly retrieve the pheromones that he had put out indiscriminately.

Luo Ran’s cheeks were originally red, but now his whole body was red.

“I, I’m sorry……” Luo Ran stepped back, leaning against the windowsill with his hands propped against the wall, and his words became disordered again.

Lucas said fiercely: “You bastard.”

“I’m sorry.” Luo Ran lowered his head, not daring to look at Lucas.

Lucas had never encountered this sort of thing before, and his love felt redundant.

Now that it had come to this point, only then did Luo Ran realize something in a trance.

Lucas would actually…….

Lucas said: “Wait for me.”

He turned around and strode into the bathroom. Luo Ran heard a splash, and then saw Lucas come out with his hair soaked in cold water, drops of it rolling down his face.

Lucas wiped his face and stepped forward to pick up Luo Ran horizontally.

“Admiral?

“Don’t move. I’ll take you home.”

. . . . . . 

Soon after, Luo Ran used his terminal to contact the class leader, saying that he needed to go back to the office for an urgent matter. Then, perhaps because of the attack and subsequent marking, Luo Ran leaned against Lucas and fell asleep in a daze.

When Luo Ran awoke, he found himself lying on the bed in the office, while Lucas was sleeping on the sofa.

Luo Ran sat up and touched the back of his neck.

Perhaps because Lucas bit so hard, there were teeth marks on the gland.

It ached, and was also a little numb.

Luo Ran spaced out a bit.

Spiritual trauma could take years to heal. Now that he had been seriously injured……

Would he have to keep asking Lucas for pheromones?

Luo Ran gave a quiet sigh and got up to prepare Lucas’s breakfast and clothing.

Later, Luo Ran and Lucas investigated the Chamber of Commerce and Huntsman.

It wasn’t unusual that Huntsman was able to appear in the capital’s black market when Luobing came to visit, but this time he was at a restaurant.

This felt like they were fighting a war, and the enemy was directly standing at the door of their own battleship control room.

Too strange.

Both Luo Ran and Lucas had suspicions in their hearts.

The Imperial army wasn’t this useless, so someone must have coordinated from the inside.

In the past, they knew that there was a powerful person supporting him, but now they even directly settled him in the Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps……

“It’s probably the royal family.” Lucas tossed the official documents aside and said: “The council and the Viscount don’t have the capability.”

It was even more impossible for it to be someone from the military department. The interior of the Imperial Military Headquarters was like an iron pipe, without a single hole.

“En, but we need an in-depth investigation and evidence.” Luo Ran stood by the desk and said: “Unless we have full confidence and solid evidence, we cannot make any accusations against His Highness the First Prince.”

They had discovered so far that the Lion Hunters were a chamber of commerce that had recently settled in the capital. Because of its outstanding ability, it was brought under the command of the First Prince Zhou Mingyu and then took over some pharmaceutical factories owned by him.

The planet J9 was Zhou Mingyu’s inherited personal territory, and many pharmaceutical and medical equipment factories had been built there. It could be regarded as one of Zhou Mingyu’s small treasuries, and now he was actually willing to give it up to others and let the chamber of commerce take over.

After the takeover, more drugs were shipped and the prices were greatly reduced so that they basically sold at cost, and a lot were sold within a short time.

Luo Ran and the investigation team carefully counted the ingredients. According to the price, they were not making any money at all.

“The cost is 7 interstellar coins, and the unit price is 7.” Lucas glanced at the report and frowned, saying, “Is this correct?”

“After the chamber of commerce took over, the ingredients remained the same, but the price was adjusted like this.” Luo Ran said: “There is no possibility that the ingredients were changed. We have all of the medications from before and after the chamber of commerce took over, and they were sent to the lab for testing. They’re the same.”

“Tsk.” Lucas raised an eyebrow.

This was really strange.

“We will continue to investigate.” Luo Ran paused, then said: “By the way, Admiral, there is also progress on the matter of the birthday banquet.”

“En? Are there any clues about that bastard?” Lucas immediately regained his energy, and said fiercely, “It’s been too long.”

“……No. However, the investigation team checked for an Omega in white clothes, and found that His Highness the Second Prince’s secretary met the description. After the investigation, there was an unexpected harvest.”

Luo Ran said: “We found out that he brought……aphrodisiac drugs, condoms, and pheromone-masking spray to the Second Prince that night.”

Lucas: “…….”

? ?

Lucas bared his teeth: “No way, how many people were in bed after midnight that night? On the day of the old king’s birthday, was the feng sui so good on that day that everyone wanted to mess around and reproduce?”

Luo Ran: “…….”

Lucas smacked the table and choked with resentment: “I’m a dignified admiral, why do I have to investigate these messy bed affairs?!”

A dignified person who led soldiers into battle felt like he was about to become a private investigator for domestic affairs.

And……if the investigation continued, he feared that he would have to check into everyone’s sexual affairs from that night.

Luo Ran tentatively said: “Then how about we not investigate it? Let’s focus on the mastermind behind the scenes……”

“Investigate!” Lucas smacked the table and said: “We must investigate! I won’t give up until I find out who that bastard who climbed into my bed is. Fucking shameless, I hate others plotting against me like this the most!”

“……Oh.” Luo Ran was all smiles.

Then Luo Ran said: “Just in case……the investigation team will continue to look into what happened with the Second Prince.”

After all, he declared that he had no lover, but that night, he sneaked into a room with an unknown person and used pheromone spray afterwards.

Lucas tapped his fingers on the table lightly, and suddenly said: “Are you still in pain?”

Luo Ran paused, then said with a smile: “It doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m much better.”

“Get off work early today. I can read any urgent documents you didn’t finish.”

Luo Ran brushed the loose hair behind his ears and lowered his head with a smile: “Thank you, Admiral. I’ll go to military headquarters to prepare first.”

In two days, Lucas would leave the capital again.

This time, Lucas was going to the military station on the border of Luobing to reorganize the army with the general of Luobing — Admiral Mu Yuan.

Previously, because everyone traded UNK from the ice mine, a final agreement was reached that the Luobing army and the Imperial army would merge, and the Luobing army could also be used by Lucas. Of course, Lucas must also protect the Luobing people like he protected the Empire.

Now that Luobing was finally prepared, they were waiting for Lucas to sign the agreement with them and discuss with Admiral Mu the deployment and allocation of troops.

Although there was no war, Lucas still had to leave for three or four days.

This should be the only job Lucas had during his vacation. After all, this job could not be handed over to others, and Luobing would not recognize anyone else.

Lucas suddenly said: “Luo Ran, you will set off with me in two days.”

“You can’t refuse.”

“Ah…….?” Luo Ran paused, then said: “Admiral, you don’t need my professional ability for this trip.”

Unless there were special circumstances like before, Lucas would not take him along in battle or for military parades.

Lucas answered naturally: “But I need you.”

“…….”

After a moment, Lucas touched his nose: “I mean, you need my pheromones.”

Lucas said: “You were marked by me just now, and because of your spiritual state, you will become dependent on my pheromones.”

What if Luo Ran had a fit or encountered trouble, and he wasn’t there?

“It’s only three or four days, there’s no need.” Luo Ran said with a smile: “I can deal with it myself.”

“Luo Ran.” Lucas got up, walked up to him, and said: “Even if we aren’t lovers, you can still rely on me.”

Luo Ran was taken aback.

“I need your help a lot, and I depend on you, so you can do the same.” Lucas scratched the back of his head and said: “If you have problems and difficulties, don’t always think about dealing with them alone. You can come and tell me, and I’ll handle it.”

“…….” Luo Ran stared blankly at Lucas.

“…….Okay.” For a moment, Luo Ran lowered his head and didn’t let Lucas see his expression.

“I, I’ll leave first.”

Luo Ran strode out, a little embarrassed. 

. . . . . .

That night, Luo Ran had a dream.

In the dream, he had gone back to when he graduated.

He used to dream about bad memories from school, and often dreamt about the time when he first became Lucas’s secretary, the turmoil between the two and Lucas’s fierce manner.

After all, those things had emotional ups and downs, and were easier to recall.

But during this time, he dreamt about them less and nearly forgot about them.

After graduating from high school, most of his classmates continued their studies in university, but he chose to work.

He was considered an adult, and work was not difficult to find.

It was only that the salary was naturally not high, and he worked three jobs at once, one during the day, one in the evening, and one all night. He could only sleep a little each day, so he was of course very tired.

It was a winter night.

There should be few people on the streets after midnight, but that night was different. Luo Ran could see that many people had come out, and the streets were crowded.

— Tonight, they were releasing sky lanterns for blessings.

Luo Ran could see volunteers pushing handcarts around and distributing paper sky lanterns to everyone.

Paper dissolved in water, and the candles inside were also artificial, so that they wouldn’t cause any pollution or fire.

“Hurry, hurry! Come get a sky lantern. They will be released later at three o’clock!”

Luo Ran was working at a bar, and the working hours were very tricky, from midnight to early morning.

Fortunately, this was a high-end bar. Not everyone could afford to drink there, and it was a place with standards, so there were few customers.

When there were few customers, Luo Ran was called to go out and solicit them.

A heavy winter snowfall was coming down, and it was quite cold outside, so Luo Ran stood there and rubbed his hands together, waiting for others to pass by.

His lips were chapped and his face was pale.

He felt so cold after standing for such a long time……

But now that there were so many people, he didn’t dare to go up and solicit them.

He felt……a little ashamed.

“Little brother over there, do you want to send up a sky lantern together, ah?” The volunteer said with a smile: “Come and pray for the admiral of the Empire.”

Luo Ran gazed at the lantern shining in the winter night, and said in a daze: “I want to……”

It looked so warm, ah.

Luo Ran took the sky lantern and immediately felt his frozen fingers and numb palms warm up.

It really was warm.

Luo Ran was very satisfied, and hugged the sky lantern to use it as a stove.

After fifteen minutes, everyone sent up their sky lanterns together.

Lucas was still on the battlefield at the moment. It was said that the battle was not going well, and Lucas was also slightly injured, so the people of the Empire wanted to pray for him.

The sky lit up as densely packed sky lanterns slowly ascended, filling it with brilliant sparks like tens of thousands of stars, lit by the people of the Empire for the dark night sky.

So beautiful……

Luo Ran was stunned.

But he was reluctant to let go of the sky lantern in his hands.

It was so warm.

He thought to himself that he would hold it for a while longer, and then let it go after the heavy snow stopped. Yes, that should be fine…..

It was said that today was also the first anniversary of the death of Admiral Alton, so the people chose today for that reason.

The admiral should also be very sad…..after all, Alton was his “father” in the true sense of the word.

Was the admiral the same as him? He also had no one to rely on.

But……it was fine, the admiral would surely win. If he worked harder and was more self-reliant, he would be able to overcome this hurdle with his family.

Luo Ran stood at the end of the alley and held the sky lantern, thinking wildly.

The heavy snow didn’t stop until early in the morning, and Luo Ran was about to finish work for the day.

He felt a little guilty for occupying the admiral’s sky lantern all night.

Luo Ran thought for a moment, then took a pen out of his pocket and carefully wrote on the sky lantern paper.

He thought to himself that although the sky lantern was released late, it should be enough to be sincere.

— I wish for the admiral to be safe and healthy during his trip.

— I wish for the admiral’s battle to go well, and for him to win as soon as possible.

— I wish for the admiral to be happy every day.

— I wish that all of the good luck will go to the admiral.

— I wish……

Luo Ran continued to search his mind, writing down all the blessings he could think of.

— I wish for the admiral to find a partner soon, someone to take care of him and make him happy!

Even this was written down, and the paper was full of densely packed words.

Then Luo Ran added another line with some embarrassment.

— Thank you for making me feel so warm last night.

Luo Ran’s legs were a little sore from standing, so he crouched down on the steps, paused, and then added a line at the bottom corner.

— I wish for the admiral and I to find happiness soon.

This line of words was so small that it was almost invisible.

Luo Ran thought, all of the luck went to the admiral of the Empire who was protecting them, but he could take a little bit for himself.

Then, as the sun came out, a sky lantern slowly lifted into the sky.

Rather unique and beautiful.

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Sixty-Two << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixty-Four

A-Ning’s persuasion was ineffective, so he had to leave the bedding newly sent by His Royal Highness Xiao Wang to the young master. He got out of the carriage with the original old quilt in his arms, wanting to see if anyone else needed it.

When Liang Shu went south this time, he only brought a dozen of his own soldiers with him, pretending to be a wealthy young master. Presently, everyone was cooking by the side of the road. When a troubled face appeared and wandered around while holding a quilt, they all looked at him and smiled. Gao Lin also noticed the movement over there, and strode over to ask: “Are you going to shake it out?”

“No.” A-Ning shifted the quilt to his other side and carried it on his shoulder. “My family’s young master wants to use the blanket from the prince, so I took out the old one to see if Uncle Yang would accept it.”

Uncle Yang was the cook, and was also responsible for managing some of the daily supplies, so he would definitely collect it, but how could Gao Lin allow the bedding used by Second Young Master Liu to fall into Lao Yang’s hands? He immediately said: “Give it to me, ba.”

“Ah?” A-Ning hesitated, wondering if this was appropriate. An old quilt, if used as bedding for ordinary soldiers, would be fine. But the dignified Lieutenant General, how could he use what the young master left behind? He wanted to refuse, but Gao Lin immediately added: “I’ll take it to my family’s prince.”

A-Ning was even more taken aback when he heard this: “No, no, this is too rude. Is the prince short of a quilt? Then I’d better return the new bedding, ba.”

Gao Lin froze in terror – don’t! But on the surface, he was quite proper: “How can there be so much fussiness in a military camp? The winter in the southwest is wet and cold, and the prince feared that Second Young Master Liu would freeze, so he sent his own quilt over there. Now that Second Young Master Liu is not short of one, there is no need to change it back and forth. That’s all, we can just cover up with whatever. Give it to me.” After speaking, he snatched the quilt from A-Ning like a bandit. Having won the prize, he turned around and fled without saying a word, walking briskly to present the treasure to his prince.

A-Ning was left where he was standing, extremely entangled. The young master really had covered up with that quilt for quite a while. It had been washed several times, and the fabric had changed from thick and smooth to thin, fluffy, and soft. Even if there was no fussiness in the military camp, how could it be used for the prince? He returned to the carriage, looked at the carefree young master who was wrapped in the new quilt and sleeping soundly, and had a terrible headache.

Liang Shu was reading military reports alone in his carriage, and was feeling pain in his temples when the carriage curtain suddenly moved. An old quilt was brought before him for some reason, with the familiar faint scent of medicine, and Gao Lin stuck his head halfway in to ask for credit: “Your Highness, A-Ning said that Second Young Master Liu wants to use the new quilt, and there is no place to put this old bedding. He wanted to dispose of it, so I took the opportunity to ask for it.”

A prince and a lieutenant, the two of them conspired to steal an old quilt used by another family’s young master. If this matter got out, the Emperor would probably faint on the spot. But since those men from the Imperial court were resting at the other end at this time, Liang Shu still hooked his fingers calmly and invited him into the carriage: “Tell me in detail.”

Gao Lin spoke of it again, and although no matter how detailed he was, there was no sign of tender affections in the story, Liang Shu still felt that this person looked more pleasing to the eyes than ever before. Gao Lin was encouraged, and slapped the carriage bench: “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will definitely keep a close eye on Second Young Master Liu’s carriage to see if I can pick up something else.”

This sentence sounded both moving and degenerate, full of an uncanny feeling that could not be studied carefully, so Liang Shu decided not to think about it anymore and waved him away. Leaning on the quilt, he closed his eyes and rested for a while. The fragrance of medicine was not too much, just enough to relax tense nerves, and the cotton was so fluffy and soft that it was like lying on a cloud.

Little lovers gave each other handkerchiefs, sachets, and jade pendants to hold in the hand or place in the sleeve with a shy and timid secret joy. Only His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was different. Before clarifying his intentions, he first exchanged the most intimate quilt, covering the whole person from head to toe with a kind of overbearing, arrogant romance that was like the northwest winds.

Unique. Extraordinarily intimate.

With the new quilt, the Sleeping Immortal slept even more and had long dreams, and Liang Shu’s long-standing symptoms of insomnia were even relieved a little by the lingering medicinal fragrance. Sometimes, when he was free during the day, he could even take a nap. Gao Lin caught sight of this, and there was joy on his face and emotion in his heart. Since a quilt could have such a miraculous effect, if they really got married in the future, how great would that be?

Liang Shu asked: “What are you giggling about?”

Gao Lin said: “I’m not. I was thinking about the prince’s marriage, and I’m happy.”

When he said this, his voice was a little louder, and it happened to be heard by Liu Xian’an, who had just gotten out of the carriage. He immediately turned around and asked A-Ning: “Is the prince going to get married?”

“What do you mean, does the prince want to get married?” A-Ning was confused. “He doesn’t, ah, who did you hear that from?”

He didn’t? Liu Xian’an looked over suspiciously, and Gao Lin was still smiling, smiling like a flower on horseback, as if drinking wedding wine. And Liang Shu, who was riding beside him, seemed to be in a good mood. His eyes were slightly narrowed and his figure was tall and straight, bathed in gold by a ray of winter sun, extraordinarily luxurious and romantic.

He also rode over to listen carefully.

As a result, when Gao Lin saw his prince’s sweetheart coming, he promptly turned his horse’s head and went in another direction. At the same time, he also took away the circle of guards around him, skillfully clearing the scene. Second Young Master Liu was unable to hear anything, and was very downtrodden. Liang Shu asked him: “What are you in a daze for again, didn’t you sleep?”

“Woke up. I’m dizzy.” Liu Xian’an took the reins. “What was the prince talking with Lieutenant General Gao about just now?”

“He was telling me something about the future when I return to Wangcheng.” Liang Shu glanced at the sun. “We’re about to arrive at Huaizhen City, shall I take you for a tour?”

Liu Xian’an actually wanted to ask more about what was going to happen when he returned to Wangcheng, but also felt that he couldn’t admit to eavesdropping, so he planned to find another opportunity to investigate next time. Huaizhen City. Liu Xian’an had read of this place in the local chronicles of Southwest China. It seemed that there was a kind of multi-colored flower cake that was not bad, so he nodded: “Okay.”

Liang Shu took his hand and gently brought him over to his own horse. The soldiers were no longer surprised by this. They turned sideways to give way, and Xuan Jiao galloped all the way like lightning. On the way, they passed a small village with smoke curling up from the kitchens, and it looked particularly harmonious and happy. In fact, once one left the Baihe River Basin, most places in Dayan were still wealthy and stable, including the southwest — even if the current foundation was unstable due to the cult, at least the common people had what they needed.

Just as Liu Xian’an was thinking so, Xuan Jiao stopped in its tracks. Not far away, a blue city wall had appeared. This was the first big city that they had arrived at after entering the southwest.

Second Young Master Liu’s stomach growled in a timely manner.

Liang Shu smiled and pressed his stomach: “Let’s go, I’ll take you to dinner.”

Xuan Jiao trotted briskly over. The guard at the city gate didn’t recognize His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, but it could be seen that the status of these two people was not low, and they should come from wealthy families. So he lowered his voice and warned: “The two young masters have come to watch the Many-Color Festival, right? It has been canceled now, and there is no excitement to join in. It’s better to go back instead of going into the city.”

The southwest bloomed with seas of flowers, and the people were proficient in song and dance, so some singing and dancing events were often held. When there were flowers, there were many colors, and when there were no flowers, they tied beautiful cloth ropes, which could also be called many-colored. There was no fixed time or location for a Many-Color Festival. As long as there were people singing and drinking, they could celebrate.

Liang Shu asked: “Why was it canceled?”

The guard sighed, waving his hands as he said: “It’s not a good thing, Young Master, don’t ask. It’s getting dark, go back quickly.”

Liang Shu took out an ingot of broken silver from his sleeve: “We’ve been riding all day and we’re very hungry. Even if there is no Many-Color Festival in the city, we can still have a meal.”

“No, no, no, that’s not what I meant. Young Master, quickly put away the money.” The guard hurriedly refused. Seeing that the two of them insisted on entering the city and couldn’t be dissuaded at all, he could only tell them the truth. “The city is haunted by ghosts recently, and it is extremely dangerous. This……ai.”

Liang Shu and Liu Xian’an exchanged glances. Haunted?

The two disregarded the guard’s dissuasion, and still entered Huaizhen City. The sun had already set, and the sky was half dark and half bright. There was not a single person on the long street. Only a few wild dogs were running around, whimpering and growling. The colorful ropes hanging from the eaves of every house had not yet been removed, blowing erratically in the wind. The festiveness was half-gone, but there was a great deal of strangeness.

Liu Xian’an couldn’t help shivering.

Liang Shu grasped his shoulders and took him into his arms: “Shall I take you out of town first?”

“No need.” Liu Xian’an said, “This place looks very strange, let’s go to the inn first.”

According to the guard’s words, they found the biggest establishment in the city. After knocking on the door for a long time, the sound of footsteps came from inside, and then a voice from the other side of the door asked, “Who is it?”

“Guests,” Liang Shu said. “Let me ask, are you still doing business?”

Squeak. The wooden door was opened a crack, and an attendant looked the two of them up and down: “Why are you coming to Huaizhen City now? Haven’t the two of you heard……the latest strangeness?”

“We didn’t hear about it until we reached the city gate, but it was too late to leave,” Liang Shu said. “Before entering the city, it was just an ordinary rumor, but after entering and seeing the spectacle, the matter does not seem to be small.”

“It’s more than not small.” The attendant opened the door and allowed the two of them to enter the establishment. “A woman who has been dead for seven years suddenly crawled out of the grave and walked around the city. Who is not afraid of this!”

Liu Xian’an asked: “Then where did she go in the end?”

“I don’t know, ah. Liu-daren^[1] is organizing people to look for her, but they haven’t found her yet,” the attendant said. “As soon as the news came out, all our customers fled the next day. We’ll give the two of you a cheap price for two rooms. This way, please.”

“I also brought some followers, who will enter the city in about half an hour.” Liang Shu tossed a silver coin over. “We’ll book this inn. Please go and prepare some food.”

The attendant was overjoyed. The first happy event was that they received a big guest, and the second happy event was that the empty inn would finally have popularity. It was good to be popular, ah, popular enough to suppress ghosts! He hurried down to prepare. Liang Shu took Liu Xian’an upstairs, picked a guest room facing the long street, and asked him: “Crawling out of the grave, is there such a Gu?”

“There certainly is, but it is more likely that a living person is pretending to be a ghost.” Liu Xian’an said, “A corpse controlled by Gu worms is already at its limit just being able to move around. If it still has the brains to avoid the government’s search, there is no need to be dead. Continuing to live is rather good.”

Liang Shu smiled and shook his head: “Haunted by ghosts, yet you can still analyze it calmly. Tell me, is there anything in the world that scares you?”

There should be. Liu Xian’an searched for one – there is my elder brother’s ruler. Although my dad’s big stick looks thicker, he doesn’t really beat me, but my elder brother’s beating is a real beating. When mentioning this, he stretched out his hands to complain: “Once they were all swollen.”

Liang Shu held his slender white fingertips and carefully spread those palms. “Did it hurt?”

This question was obviously superfluous, but for love talk, nine and a half out of ten sentences were superfluous. What was superfluous had meaning, and what wasn’t superfluous was called talking about business.

The effect was remarkable. The sentence, “Did it hurt?”, coupled with His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s frown and caring eyes at this time, really succeeded in evoking a little bit of childhood pain hidden in the heart of Second Young Master Liu, stretching out continuously. As if he had been greatly wronged, he complained loudly and with conviction: “It hurt, I couldn’t even hold chopsticks steadily, and my elder brother still drove me into the pharmacy to cut bark for work.”

Liang Shu clasped their hands together: “In the future, if anyone dares to beat you again, I will go to him to settle the score.”

The Village Master and First Young Master Liu, who were hundreds of li away, both sneezed a series of times.

Liu Xian’an’s nose was also a little itchy. He looked at at Liang Shu close at hand, his face and eyes so gentle, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed, so he shook his hands free and turned his head, saying nonchalantly: “Let’s analyze the matter of the haunting.”

---

[1] This person’s name uses the 刘 Liu, while Liu Xian’an uses the 柳 character. They both have different intonations in Mandarin. ⮐

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Fifty-One << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Three

When Pei Yi and Bo Yueming arrived home, Uncle Kai immediately greeted them, “Second Young Master, Little Sir, why did you come back so early?”

Technically speaking, the exchange meeting should take three or four hours.

Bo Yueming explained simply, “Something happened, and I didn’t want to waste time at that sort of place, so I brought Pei Yi back in advance.”

“Has Little Sir had enough to eat?”

Uncle Kai feared they would still be hungry, so he asked for instructions, “Second Young Master, shall I go to the kitchen and get some food?”

Bo Yueming gave a slight nod.

It didn’t matter to him, but he was afraid Pei Yi would be hungry later.

Pei Yi made a sullen sound, not in a high mood.

He was still thinking about Chen Shun and Pen Chenggong’s vicious deeds that disregarded human life, and on the way back, he felt more and more sympathy for Qiao Dong’s family’s misfortune.

Pei Yi looked around and said, “Qiao Dong?”

“Little Sir, he is still in the room.” Uncle Kai glanced at the closed door, and whispered to Bo Yueming, “I don’t know what is going on today. He’s all depressed and didn’t eat much for dinner.”

Uncle Kai always took care of children with the mentality of an elder.

In the past three months or so, he had managed to raise Pei Yi to a healthy state, and now he naturally wanted to let the helpless Qiao Dong eat more.

Hearing what Uncle Kai said, Pei Yi picked up the fruit plate on the coffee table, and after a moment’s thought, went straight to Qiao Dong’s room.

Uncle Kai was taken aback. “Ai, Little Sir?”

Bo Yueming saw Pei Yi’s actions and softly indicated, “Let him go.”

The door was pushed open gently.

Qiao Dong, who was sitting blankly at the head of the bed, slowly turned his head. When he saw that it was Pei Yi, he instinctively stood up to greet him, “Little Sir, you, what are you……”

Pei Yi put the plate of fruit on the bedside table and picked up a piece of peeled red pomelo. “Here.”

Qiao Dong took it in a daze, not understanding Pei Yi’s intentions for a moment.

Pei Yi said simply and clearly, “Sweet, not bitter.”

“……..”

Qiao Dong felt the comfort wrapped in Pei Yi’s few words. Under his gaze, he took a small bite of pomelo, and the moment the juice overflowed, it was indeed sweeter than the bitterness in his heart.

The rain outside the window grew louder.

Qiao Dong was full of negative energy that needed an outlet, and he subconsciously asked, “Little Sir, can I talk with you?”

Pei Yi nodded.

This was also one of his purposes for coming to the room.

Pei Yi hated Chen Shun and Pan Chenggong, who ruined other people’s families, but he knew it was not the best time to solve that matter, so he chose the route of comforting Qiao Dong.

Qiao Dong had learned about Pei Yi’s situation from Uncle Kai, but still regarded him as a silent partner to confide in. “Today is actually my brother’s birthday. If nothing had happened, he would be a father now. He would have been very happy.”

“Most of my school expenses were paid for by my brother, and my sister-in-law was also very kind to me.”

Even though Qiao Dong himself would study and work part-time, his elder brother and sister-in-law still feared that he would be too tired.

It was said that an elder brother was like a father, and compared with the dull and naive biological father, Qiao Dong preferred to get along with Zhao Hui.

“Although my brother and I were not born of the same mother, our relationship was better than that of ordinary brothers. When I was young, he took me to play with a simple bamboo spear to catch fish, and a self-made slingshot to shoot hares……”

Qiao Dong was immersed in his memories, a rare moment free from the pain of real life. “Little Sir, did you play with these when you were a child?”

“…….”

Pei Yi listened to Qiao Dong’s childhood memories and shook his head silently. It wasn’t only the original owner who hadn’t played with these things, as he hadn’t played with them in the real world either.

Qiao Dong’s confession reminded Pei Yi of his own childhood—

At first, there was a small yard with a small range of activities, limited and crude food every day, and unending crying and fighting anytime and anywhere. The top performer would be rewarded with a small piece of poor quality dessert.

Later, he changed to a beautiful residence, without quarreling and crying.

Someone baked the freshest desserts for him, and someone taught him how to distinguish the types of red wine. Shooting, swimming, equestrian…..he grew up being pampered by others, and could learn anything he wanted. Even his initial inspiration for video games originated there.

Pei Yi had thought that this kind of life could continue forever, but it only lasted until the age of fourteen.

Day after day of quarreling, and day after day of disgust. One person hysterical, and one person indifferent.

Only then did Pei Yi fully understand—

It turned out that delicious desserts depended on the mood of the maker, and delicious red wine could also make a person cause harm after getting dead drunk. And it turned out that two people who loved each other deeply could also hate each other enough to become enemies.

Pei Yi, who had seen through everything, fled the world that did not belong to him and tried to make a living while studying, then finally met a group of like-minded friends.

From a small game studio, they developed into one of the top game companies.

Pei Yi broke free from his memories, and Qiao Dong returned from his childhood to the present.

Qiao Dong didn’t know how much Pei Yi could understand, but he still spoke all of his thoughts. “I know that these matters have nothing to do with you or Mr. Bo. I shouldn’t ask you to spend your energy on solving them for me, and I shouldn’t cause trouble for you.”

“It’s me who wants to seek justice for my brother, but I hate myself for not being able to do so!”

Pei Yi took in Qiao Dong’s guiltiness and red eyes, and said firmly, “No.”

Qiao Dong was taken aback. “No?”

Pei Yi had a lot of things to say, but after some thought, he settled on a simple sentence, “Er-ge, he is very good, won’t lie to you.”

Qiao Dong could just barely catch Pei Yi’s brain circuit. “Little Sir, are you saying that Mr. Bo is a good person, and that he will help me as promised and not deceive me?”

“En!”

Having been together for such a long time, Pei Yi knew some things about Bo Yueming—

Because of his childhood experiences, Bo Yueming had learned to look at everything with an equal eye. Even if he later lived as a rich young master, he would never take the initiative to use his identity to bully others.

The “blackening” in the original text was because of too much contempt and ridicule during his time as a blind man.

Even before he was sure of what had happened to Qiao Dong, Bo Yueming was still willing to lend a helping hand, and after learning the specific situation, he also did not hide his intent to use Qiao Dong to deal with Chen Shun and win the bidding project.

In the end, if this matter couldn’t be resolved, Qiao Dong would live in pain and self-blame for the rest of his life.

Pei Yi realized this, and repeated, “Er-ge, very good.”

At least in his opinion, there was really nothing bad about Bo Yueming.

After hearing Pei Yi’s repeated assurances and seeing the joyful light in his eyes, Qiao Dong finally showed a curiosity unique to young people. “Little Sir, you really like the Second Young Master?”

“……..”

Ah?

L-like?

When Pei Yi first heard this sentence, he couldn’t wrap his mind around it.

Before he could figure out why, there was a knock on the door.

Lin Zhong, who had returned home one step later, opened the door and motioned calmly, “Little Sir, have you finished talking? Mr. Bo has asked me to take Qiao Dong to meet Director You.”

Meet You Qinian?

It was arranged so soon?

It seemed that the cooperation between Bo Yueming and You Qinian had officially begun.

In response, Pei Yi got up and looked at the fruit plate he had brought.

“…….”

He handed Qiao Dong a few more types of fruit and then ran away with a guilty conscience as he snatched his favorite, an undivided bunch of grapes.

Qiao Dong stared after Pei Yi’s suddenly fleeing back, and unconsciously grasped the fruit in his hand. “Little Sir is really kind.”

After talking to him, he felt that the gloom in his heart had been relieved at last.

Qiao Dong let out a breath and belatedly asked, “Brother Lin, who is Director You?”

Lin Zhong picked up the crutches beside him and handed them to Qiao Dong. “Let’s go, I’ll explain the situation to you on the way.”

. . . . . . 

The recording that was taken became one of the handles to target Chen Shun, and indirectly contributed to the final alliance between the Bo and You families.

Now, not only did Lin Zhong take Qiao Dong out, but Bo Yueming also contacted Song Yuanyuan, the leader of the project team, and restarted the audio conference.

Each had their own busy schedule.

After returning to the room, Pei Yi locked the door and opened the Youtu website as usual. He found something special just after logging in—

The group chat name that was originally The Last Fog had been changed to Core Research and Development of YWY Studio. Not only that, but the number of people in the group had changed from 3 to 4.

Pei Yi came to an immediate realization, and opened the members list to find out.

Sure enough, in addition to the familiar Pear Garden and Dehydration, there was also the new ID “Southern Mountain.”

Pei Yi raised his eyebrows and typed: “Southern Mountain, Director Xiang, welcome to YWY.”

As soon as this message came out, Li Yuan was the first to bubble up, “My eyes are sharp, ah. I feared that the great god Will was busy, and I wouldn’t be able to find him for ten days to half a month.”

Pei Yi teased back, “I really didn’t expect Little Boss Li to be so fast.”

It only took Li Yuan three days to recruit Xiang Nansheng into their new studio.

“……..”

Fast?

So fast?

Li Yuan on the other end saw this counterattack in the group and exhaled a puff of smoke rings. He muttered, unconvinced, “This guy, who are you looking down on?”

Lou Yang had long been accustomed to the occasional jokes between them. “Yuan and I have already expressed our welcome to you. Since Director Xiang has come, I finally have someone to cooperate with.”

After this line of text was sent out, Xiang Nansheng came in late and replied to Pei Yi, “Thank you, I will do my best.”

Pei Yi remembered the phone call between himself and Xiang Nansheng, and after a moment of thought, he confessed—

“Director Xiang, I have something to say on behalf of the studio.”

“I don’t care about the conflict between you and Ke Ming, but I hope you can make it clear that from the moment you accepted YWY’s invitation, that company is a thing of the past for you.”

Never respect the man you use, and never use the man you respect.

Pei Yi would not explore the reasons for the breakdown of the relationship between Xiang Nansheng and Ke Ming, but he hoped that the current Xiang Nansheng was sincere toward developing YWY.

“Of course, be at ease.”

Xiang Nansheng answered firmly. He was not a character who would continue to get involved with old people from the past.

Now that he was here, it was easy to think clearly.

Pei Yi received the other party’s answer and instantly entered a working state. “Good. If you have time now, please switch to the private chat, and I will clarify with you the concept of the “Last Fog” game and the requirements for the subsequent program architecture.”

Lou Yang sent an ‘eating melons’ emoji: “Director Xiang, I wish you luck.”

Li Yuan echoed: “+1”

Both of them had already witnessed Pei Yi’s might. Don’t just look at his apparent identity as a game architect – everything he wanted was very clear, specific, and detailed.

Xiang Nansheng came in late as the technical director, so they feared he was going to be very busy now.

“……..”

Xiang Nansheng was stunned for a moment.

He couldn’t help but glance at the lower right corner.

Was it possible to face overtime on the first day of work? En, it seemed like his hair was in jeopardy.

That said, Xiang Nansheng quickly added a private chat box with Pei Yi, and it wasn’t until the two of them started serious work that he fully realized how outstanding the other party’s abilities were—

Compared to ordinary game architects, Pei Yi seemed to be able to carry the entire planning team alone. In addition to the worldview shown during the bidding, the settings of “The Last Fog” in terms of system, levels, and magnitude were also excellent and interesting.

Most importantly, he also dabbled in technology.

There was a well-known joke in the game development circle: Architects and programmers are incompatible with each other. The former disliked the latter for always getting stuck when bugs occurred, and the latter disliked the former for bad writing.

When he was at his former studio, Xiang Nansheng, who was the most technically skilled, often felt extreme headaches and embarrassment for the planning group’s unconstrained ideas.

But when Pei Yi put forward his ideas, he attached procedural terminology so that Xiang Nansheng could understand what he meant.

The two talked from seven to eleven o’clock.

When Pei Yi took it upon himself to end the work meeting, Xiang Nansheng, who was “temporarily working overtime,” still felt unfulfilled. “Will, do you know what I feel right now?”

It was rare to see Xiang Nansheng bring up a topic other than work, and Pei Yi responded cooperatively, “You think I’m a workaholic?”

“I regret that I declined your invitation.”

He really felt that—

Compared to Li Yuan, who was in charge of overall operations, this game architect who had never shown his face was more like the core of the entire creative team.

Knowing that he and Ke Ming would fall apart in the end, and knowing that he could still find the joy of designing here, Xiang Nansheng felt that he should have directly accepted the olive branch the other party offered a month and a half ago.

Pei Yi pursed his lips. “It isn’t too late now. Happy cooperation.”

“Happy cooperation.”

After finishing the work conversation, Pei Yi didn’t turn his computer off immediately.

He clicked on the search page and immediately arranged another matter.

. . . . . .

A week later, Wencheng Soft Fragrance Bathing and Recreation Center.

A black car parked in a surveillance blind spot in the corner of an open-air parking lot.

Pei Yi, who was sitting in the back row of the car, pressed the peaked cap on his head. Tonight, he wore long sleeves and trousers, along with a mask. At this moment, he was staring at the colorful signboard of the clubhouse not far away.

He had pretended that he was tired and wanted to go to bed early tonight. After misleading Uncle Kai, he took the spare key and locked the door of his room from the outside before leaving the villa on light feet.

As for Bo Yueming and Lin Zhong, the project bidding had reached the final sprint stage, and they hadn’t seen each other for three or four days.

Pei Yi opened his phone and glanced at the time. It was almost past twelve o’clock. “Are you sure Pan Chenggong is here tonight?”

The private detective in the front row looked at the heavily armed Pei Yi through the rearview mirror, vowing, “I’m sure. Mr. Yi, don’t worry!”

Just seven days ago, Pei Yi learned that Pan Chenggong had killed another person due to inferior safety equipment. Add to that the experience of Qiao Dong’s family—

He really couldn’t tolerate such a person still relying on his power to be unrestrained, so he secretly found a reliable private investigator to help discover Pan Chenggong’s whereabouts.

Bo Yueming and You Qinian had ways to deal with Chen Shun, and Pei Yi also had ways to deal with animals like Pan Chenggong.

The private investigator in the front row suddenly said, “Mr. Yi, look, Pan Chenggong seems to have come out!”

Upon hearing this, Pei Yi immediately focused his attention.

At the entrance of the well-decorated clubhouse, the fat-eared, greasy-haired Pan Chenggong walked out with a drunken gait, surrounded by attractive women.

With such intimate body language, anyone with a discerning eye could tell at a glance what was going on.

“…….”

If he remembered correctly, Pan Chenggong’s wife, Chen Shun’s daughter, was about to give birth, right? Doing this kind of thing while his wife was pregnant? This man was really no good!

“Take pictures right away! I’ll go down for a while, and after you’re done filming, drive to the intersection at the northwest corner and wait for me.”

Pei Yi gave orders quickly, then opened the door and got out of the car.

After confirming that his outfit would not easily reveal who he was, he avoided surveillance and hastened toward the shadow of a huge parking sign.

On the other side, Pan Chenggong reluctantly said goodbye to his favorite “attendant” and walked drunkenly to the parking lot.

He took out his cell phone and intended to find a substitute driver. After seeing the time on the screen and a dozen missed calls, he immediately cursed, “Fuck, it’s annoying to death.”

His wife, Chen Xiu, had lost her shape and developed a bad temper after becoming pregnant, and Pan Gonggong’s inner disgust grew stronger day by day.

A few days ago, another accident happened at the construction site he was in charge of. He was caught and scolded by his father-in-law Chen Shun, causing his unhappiness to intensify.

He really couldn’t hold back tonight, so he wanted to find a “lady” in order to vent.

As a result?

His wife had yet to give birth, but the phone calls came one after another. It simply ruined his prestige and mood!

“This pregnant bitch is trouble! If she can’t give birth to a son, I…..”

—Zing!

Before Pan Chenggong could finish cursing, a stone shot out at high speed and slammed into his left eye. “Ah!”

Hiding behind the sign, Pei Yi heard the other party scream, and his eyes revealed a trace of success. He took out another sharp stone that had been prepared and shot it dexterously with the slingshot in his hand.

After hearing Qiao Dong’s childhood anecdote, Pei Yi played the fool the next day and asked him to make him a simple homemade slingshot.

Pei Yi had been shooting guns since elementary school, and his accuracy was not bad. He had mastered the range of skills he needed for the slingshot beforehand. This time, a stone shot out again and hit Pan Chenggong’s nose!

“Who’s there!”

Pan Chenggong cried out in pain with gritted teeth, belatedly realizing that someone was purposely messing with him. “Which motherfucker is it? Get out here!”

Pan Chenggong succeeded in confirming the direction from which the stone was thrown, and walked over agitatedly!

Pei Yi behind the sign had waited so long for this moment. He stretched out his leg to trip him when he saw the right moment — Pan Chenggong had long become drunk, so how could he see the situation in this dim environment? He immediately fell with his back to the sky and ate shit.

“…….”

With a calm expression, Pei Yi stepped on Pan Chenggong’s head. While putting away the slingshot, he did not forget to the grind his heel on the thing under his foot—

The two stones he shot with the slingshot were just a prank and an opportunity to reclaim his childhood fun, but now it was time for an adult lesson.

The ground in the parking lot was covered in rough gravel and sand, and the pain when his face was ground into it was severe. Pan Gonggong could only wheeze out, “It hurts, it hurts……”

Pei Yi took half a step back and crouched down to grab his collar. “You can’t bear this little pain?”

Pan Chenggong struggled to turn his face sideways and look, but he still couldn’t clearly see Pei Yi’s appearance under the double cover of hat and mask. “W-who are you, ah?”

“Do you know how many lives you’ve indirectly taken? Huh?” Pei Yi’s casual voice, and the look in his eyes full of hostility, were just like the King of Hell coming to ask for someone’s life.

Pan Chenggong, who had the deaths of others on his hands, had a guilty conscience and was suddenly frightened into a cold sweat. “You, who are you? Police! I’m going to call the police!”

Postering and repulsive.

Pei Yi gradually tightened the collar around his neck, warning in a dark voice, “Good, ah, if you dare to call the police, I will dare to send the photos of you seeking out prostitutes to the phones of your wife and your father-in-law.”

“Your old man just wiped your ass for you, right? Isn’t your wife about to give birth?”

The reasons why Chen Shun had successfully covered up the truth for Pan Gonggong time and time again was that firstly, he didn’t take workers’ lives seriously, secondly, out of care for his pregnant daughter, and thirdly, because Pan Chenggong was loyal to his daughter and did not engage in affairs.

But if Pan Chenggong’s sordid behavior was exposed, what father would be willing to watch his daughter be betrayed by her marriage partner?

“……..”

The identity of the person in front of him was completely unknown, but he revealed the most detailed information.

Pan Chenggong instinctively felt an irresistible fear, as if he was actually being strangled by the god of death. Breathing became difficult, and his eyes almost rolled back due to the alcohol.

Pei Yi stopped before he went too far, loosened Pan Chenggong’s collar, and got up.

Just when Pan Gonggong thought his suffering was over, Pei Yi kicked him in the stomach several times to vent his anger, and then turned around to leave gracefully.

. . . . . .

Northwest Street.

Pei Yi once again climbed into a familiar car.

The private investigator in the front row handed over the camera. “Mr. Yi, what should be done with these photos?”

Pei Yi thought for a while, but still decided against giving them to Pan Chenggong’s wife, who was about to give birth. “For the time being, only send them to Chairman Chen of Shuntian Group. I will transfer the balance to your account.”

“Okay.”

Pei Yi didn’t directly return in the private investigator’s car. In order to avoid revealing his identity, he changed to an ordinary taxi.

It was almost two o’clock in the morning when he returned to the villa neighborhood.

Pei unhurriedly swung around the side of the villa and first looked up to check on the lighting conditions of the master bedroom on the second floor—

It was pitch black.

He was either asleep or not there.

Feeling relieved, Pei Yi removed his stuffy mask and peaked cap, then briskly approached the outermost iron gate of the villa.

He fumbled for the keys in his pocket, but suddenly froze—

In front of the main villa security door stood two shockingly familiar figures. As if he had heard movement, Bo Yueming, who was standing in the rear, turned his body slightly.

“……”

Shit!

Why did Bo Yueming and Lin Zhong come back now? This shouldn’t be happening, ah!

Pei Yi felt his heart go into sudden arrest, and hid by the outer wall at his fastest reaction speed—

His body was stiff, his breathing was fixed, and his eyes were closed tightly. He was as anxious and timid as if a guillotine was about to fall on his head.

The arrogance with which he taught Pan Chenggong a lesson not long ago had disappeared without a trace.

On the other side.

Lin Zhong, who had opened the security door of the villa, had just turned around to help his boss when he saw a black shadow flash past.

“…….”

Lin Zhong thought he was hallucinating, and asked uncertainly, “Mr. Bo, just, just now, did you see someone standing there?”

Because of his busy project workload, Bo Yueming had only revealed his healed eyes to his assistant Lin Zhong in the past two days. 

Faced with the assistant’s question, Bo Yueming, who had been staring at the white concrete wall beside the fence for a long time, categorically denied it. “Don’t know, I can’t see.”

Lin Zhong was taken aback. “Ah?”

Why couldn’t he see again? 

“Okay, let’s go inside.”

Bo Yueming withdrew his gaze, but there was both helplessness and fondness in his eyes. “It must be some little wild cat, running out to catch mice in the middle of the night.”

What else could he do?

His own family’s disobedient kitten snuck out in the middle of the night and didn’t hide it well. He could only help cover it up.

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Forty-Six <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Forty-Eight

T/N: Thanks so much to VC3 for the donation! Your bonus chapter is up after this one!

Not long ago, Bo Yueming had received a message from Lin Zhong, saying that Pei Yi had gone to the “toilet” in a hurry, and then Zhong Yi, who hadn’t seen him for a long time, took the chance to greet him.

What Bo Yueming didn’t expect was—

That chat between him and Zhong Yi hadn’t lasted more than five minutes when Pei Yi hastily returned, and the word “husband” that he uttered sounded sour and jealous.

This unexpected harvest made Bo Yueming happy on both a physical and mental level. He looked at Pei Yi, who was about to become a shrunken kitten, and patted the empty seat beside him.

“Come here and sit down.”

In just five words, an uncontrollable smile still slipped out.

“…….”

Feeling mocked, Pei Yi ignored him and sat in another seat. He lowered his head and took a vicious bite, turning embarrassment into appetite.

Lin Zhong remembered an important matter and approached Bo Yueming, explaining in a low voice, “Mr. Bo, Little Sir and I went up to the second floor just now. Chen Shun and his son-in-law are in the room at the end of the corridor!”

Bo Yueming’s attention was drawn back by the assistant’s words, and his brow furrowed slightly—

When Chen Shun left with a bad expression just now, Pei Yi hurriedly “went to the bathroom.” He guessed that this person had gone to investigate for him.

Bo Yueming asked, “Did you hear anything?”

Lin Zhong replied, “I don’t know for now. Because it was a one-way exit, I was afraid of creating trouble, and also feared that Little Sir would be implicated, so I tossed a recording pen into the decorative plant by the door.”

Hearing Lin Zhong’s explanation, Bo Yueming asked more rigorously, “Is there any content of your past work on the recorder? Be careful not to be spotted by that old fox.”

“No, it’s clean.”

Lin Zhong would transfer the content of meetings to his computer every evening, then delete it on the recorder so that it didn’t take up memory. Even if they checked the brand of the recording pen, it would not be easy to spot him.

If the recording didn’t capture key information, they could just go on as if it hadn’t happened; and if some key information was recorded, they could prevent problems before they arose.

“…….”

Bo Yueming’s intuition told him that there would be something strange on it. “Well done. Keep an eye on it.”

“Yes.”

Seeing the interaction between Lin Zhong and Bo Yueming, Pei Yi didn’t have to think too much to understand what they were talking about. He finished eating a small cupcake, and finally managed to suppress the heat all over his body a little bit.

Suddenly, Pei Yi noticed a gentleman in a black suit whose gait was a little off when he stepped with his left foot.

Less than thirty seconds later, the gentleman walked up to Bo Yueming’s side. “Mr. Bo, Little Mister Pei, hello.”

Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Bo Yueming quickly brought a trace of coldness to his expression.

As the assistant, Lin Zhong asked in his stead, “May I ask who you are?”

“I am Zhang Shunzhi, Chief Assistant of the You Group.” The gentleman introduced himself, looking around vigilantly. “Mr. Bo, I wonder if you are free now? Our Director You would like to treat you to a drink.”

Director You?

The name of this person instantly popped up in Pei Yi’s mind. He was the newly appointed Executive Director of the You Group who “broke through the siege” at the beginning of the year—

“You Qinian?”

The name Pei Yi had thought of was simultaneously spoken by Bo Yueming.

“Yes.”

Zhang Shunzi was appropriately direct.

A dark glow flickered deep in Bo Yueming’s eyes, once more hidden beneath the lenses. “I must bring these people with me.”

Although Zhang Shunzi was taken aback, he responded, “Of course.”

Lin Zhong, who was on important business, got the location and stayed put temporarily.

Bo Yueming, Pei Yi, and the others left the exchange hall and took the elevator to the twelfth floor. When the elevator door opened, Pei Yi realized that there was something strange about this floor—

After passing through the anti-theft door, a private restaurant with extremely stylish decorations appeared unexpectedly. The walls on two consecutive sides were made into wine walls with the same decorative theme, extravagant and rich, even more extravagant than Bo Yueming’s collection in the Imperial Capital villa!

Pei Yi stared straight at the dazzling array of alcoholic beverages, almost unable to move.

God!

How could there be such a beautiful place in this world?

Bo Yueming noticed that his kitten was about to make a move. Just as he was about to raise a hand and pinch the back of his neck as punishment, there was the sound of footsteps on the steel stairway nearby. 

“Mr. Bo, I have admired you for a long time.”

A slightly hoarse voice met his ears.

Pei Yi looked at the person coming down the stairs—

He had a tall, straight figure at first glance, and his hair was also meticulously groomed.

It was only that there was an obvious scar on the right side of his face that extended from his temple to the bridge of his nose, leaving the most unusual mark on an otherwise handsome face.

Perhaps due to the scar, You Qinian’s aura was particularly frightening.

“…….”

Pei Yi’s focus on the wine immediately shifted to the person who had arrived, and Bo Yueming, who was feigning blindness, was also also inwardly surprised by the acquired scar.

The other party stood before Bo Yueming, looked at him openly, and also didn’t forget to greet, “Hello, I’m You Qinian.”

After You Qinian spoke, Pei Yi covertly compared heights again, and the corners of his mouth slightly curved—

En.

Bo Yueming was still slightly better!

Feeling the aura of the person in front of him, Bo Yueming returned calmly, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Director.”

You Qinian withdrew his appreciative gaze, and there was a trace of invitation in his hoarse voice, “If Mr. Bo has time, can we sit and chat slowly? Want some wine? The brands on the wall can be chosen at will.”

They could be casually picked?

So generous?

Pei Yi exclaimed in his heart, and at the same time, heard Bo Yueming decline, “Director You, I don’t drink well, and dare not drink alcohol casually.”

You Qinian noticed Bo Yueming’s vigilance, and said calmly, “I thought Mr. Bo and Little Mister Pei were wine lovers. After all, they picked up a lot of good wine in Linshui Pavilion some time ago.”

He paused, then seemed to praise, “Few people in Wencheng can take advantage of Chen Shun.”

“…….”

Bo Yueming’s eyes shifted slightly when he spoke of this, and Pei Yi, who was accompanying him silently, also found it strange—

In a private restaurant like Linshui Pavilion, it was impossible for anything to leak, not to mention that from the beginning to the end of that night, they were sure that they did not see You Qinian.

Otherwise, if it was someone as impressive as You Qinian, it was impossible for him not to make an impression.

After some thought, Pei Yi realized one possibility, and Bo Yueming also grasped the answer. “It seems that the boss behind Linshui Pavilion is Director You?”

You Qinian generously admitted, “Mr. Bo can laugh at the small restaurant I started before taking charge of You Group.”

Small business?

That could be regarded as a small business?

Hearing this simple answer, Pei Yi said internally that You Qinian was not a simple person—

The other party had built Linshui Pavilion into the most famous private restaurant in Wencheng, and the customers who could afford to eat there were all rich and powerful people.

On the surface, this restaurant was a super high-end consumer venue, but it was also the easiest place to view the private relationships between the major families and enterprises in Wencheng. It was simply the modern version of a secret society, ah!

Pei Yi thought without speaking, while Bo Yueming was as steady as Mount Tai.

Seeing that Bo Yueming remained motionless, You Qinian could only show his own cards first. “Mr. Bo, I came to you today to discuss a partnership.”

Bo Yueming pretended to be puzzled. “Partnership?”

You Qinian pointed out, “You and I are intelligent people, and we know how to maximize the benefits of the Wencheng Sports Center project.”

Bo Yueming finally received the answer he wanted, and raised his eyebrows slightly. “Director You, how do you want to cooperate?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere of a stalemate dissolved quite a lot.

You Qinian slowly relaxed. “By the way, didn’t you bake an apple pie? Why not let Little Mister Pei and the others try it?”

Hearing this, Pei Yi subconsciously grabbed the corner of Bu Yueming’s clothes. “Er-ge.”

He was still not one hundred percent assured of the “partnership” You Qinian spoke of. Lin Zhong hadn’t come yet, and if the bodyguard left, what if the fierce-faced You Qinian tried to attack Bo Yueming?

Sensing Pei Yi’s concern for him, Bo Yueming gently squeezed the hand holding the corner of his clothes. “It’s fine, go, ba.”

You Qinian saw the relationship between the two, and subconsciously turned his gaze to Zhang Shunzhi.

Zhang Shunzi met his eyes and pushed his glasses up with a smile, inviting, “Little Mister Pei, please follow me.”

“……..”

Pei Yi naturally trusted Bo Yueming.

He hadn’t participated in the bidding process all this time. If he forcibly stayed put at the other’s side at this moment, firstly, it would not be easy for him to understand, and secondly, it would be easy to cause trouble during their partnership conversation.

Thinking of this, Pei Yi could only slowly follow Zhang Shunzi up to the second floor.

Bodyguard Sun Wei stood by the second floor railing.

Although he couldn’t hear the conversation on the first floor, Bo Yueming’s figure could be seen below. Once the situation changed, he could rush down in a timely manner.

On the left side of the stairs was a room specially made into a baking kitchen. The contrasting color layout of beige and orange made the whole space look particularly warm and charming.

Zhang Shunzhi was busy retrieving the apple pie from the oven.

Pei Yi looked at Zhang Shunzhi’s back, and his gaze unconsciously fell to his legs—

Up until now, he still felt that the other party’s right foot was a little strange. Especially when stepping on the stairs, the weight and movement of the two feet were inconsistent.

Having finished taking out the apple pie, Zhang Shunzhi turned around suddenly. Pei Yi had no time to look away, and was caught by the other party.

“……”

Pei Yi was uncomfortable for a moment, and simply stopped hiding it. “Foot?”

Zhang Shunzhi was taken aback, and then smiled helplessly. “I thought it was well-disguised, but I didn’t expect that I couldn’t even hide it from Little Mister Pei.”

He slowly approached Pei Yi, tugged on his slightly loose pant leg, and generously showed the condition of his right foot.

It was a prosthetic.

Pei Yi’s breathing cut off. He realized that he might have touched Zhang Shunzhi’s inner scar, so he quickly responded with his most sincere apology, “I’m sorry.”

Zhang Shunzhi’s understanding of Pei Yi was limited to the investigation data. But now that he had formal contact with him, he felt that Pei Yi had a pure, bright heart under the “foolishness” that others ridiculed him for. 

“Little Mister Pei, you don’t need to apologize to me.” Zhang Shunzhi was very open about his disability.

He didn’t know how much Pei Yi could understand, but after thinking about it, he explained it at conventional thinking and speaking speed, “This prosthesis is newly ordered, and I haven’t fully gotten used to it yet.”

Pei Yi nodded silently, and didn’t intend to pry into his deeper privacy. He felt like Zhang Shunzhi’s temperament and style of conversation did not seem like he was only an “assistant.”

Zhang Shunzhi thought that Pei Yi was still worried about Bo Yueming, so he put a small slice of apple pie on a plate and handed it over. “Little Mister Pei, give it a try?”

“You don’t have to worry, the scar on Director You’s face is an acquired injury. It looks fierce, but it is actually very easy for him to talk about.”

“…….”

Very easy for him to talk about?

Pei Yi felt that these words were spoken through a personal filter, but didn’t refute them.

He took a light bite of the apple pie, and the warm, sweet taste immediately hit his taste buds.

Zhang Shunzhi saw Pei Yi’s eyes brighten. “How does it taste?”

“Hm!”

The desserts at the exchange meeting were so-so, but this piece of apple pie tasted much better. Pei Yi was not stingy with his love, and took another bite.

. . . . . .

In the restaurant on the first floor.

You Qinian set the whiskey on the table in front of Bo Yueming and invited, “Mr. Bo, have some?”

Bo Yueming nodded slightly, but didn’t rush to raise his glass and drink.

You Qinian sat down opposite him and took a sip of liquor. “Mr. Bo, I won’t speak too politely. How about Bo and You form a bidding consortium, 50-50.”

He had checked the specific regulations in advance, and as long as the two companies reached a consortium before submitting the bidding documents, it would be in compliance.

Bo Yueming didn’t answer immediately. “Director You, since you want to win this project, why didn’t you cooperate with Shuntian Group?”

You Qinian saw that there was an element of deliberate questioning in Bo Yueming’s words. “Mr. Bo, I’m not sure how much you know about the situation in Wencheng? Compared with the Bo family’s absolute status in the Imperial Capital, the most competitive enterprises in Wencheng in the past ten years have always been Shuntian and You.”

The two families had deep grievances.

Unless Chen Shun fell and the executive director of Shuntian Group was replaced, then there was practically no possibility of cooperation.

Bo Yueming had a heart like a steelyard, and easily answered, “That being the case, why doesn’t Director You continue to compete with Shuntian Group, win or lose? Instead, you want to drag me, an outsider, into it.”

You Qinian understood Bo Yueming’s roundabout speaking skills—

That is, he was waiting for him to tell the whole story before he was willing to discuss the cooperation further.

A trace of determination flickered in You Qinian’s long, narrow eyes, and he said bluntly, “Mr. Bo, you are a person who was raised in a wealthy family, so you should know how ruthless the power struggles can be.”

You Qinian touched the long, thick scar on his face, his tone gradually sinking, “Although I have become the Executive Director of You Group, there are countless pairs of eyes watching my every move.”

“Only absolute strength can shut people up.”

Bo Yueming agreed with his second sentence. “So, Director You wants to win all competitions with Shuntian Group during his time in power. Even if he is giving up profits and finding someone to partner with, he must ensure that he wins?”

You Qinian paused, then bluntly stated his goal, “Yes, I want to suppress Chen Shun and his group all together.”

Bo Yueming was noncommittal. “Director You, it is good to be ambitious, but why do you think it is necessary for me to cooperate with you? You should have investigated me before, so you should know—”

“I’m just an abandoned son of the Bo family. I don’t have to take this Wencheng project.”

You Qinian set down his glass, and there was a hint of clarity in his hoarse voice. “Is that so? I thought Mr. Bo wanted to take advantage of the success of this project to return to Bo headquarters.”

“You would rather endure the ridicule of others and pretend that your eyesight isn’t perfect. Mr. Bo said that I’m ambitious, so what about you?”

“…….”

Bo Yueming’s jaw tensed for a moment, and his fierce aura instantly spread out.

You Qinian grasped the initiative, “Mr. Bo’s camouflage techniques are very good, but my mother suffered from an eye disease before she died, so I just have more experience in discerning such things than outsiders do.”

“Moreover, Mr. Bo wanted to raise his hand to touch his lover when he first entered the door, right? Although you quickly restrained yourself, you were unfortunately caught by me while I was standing on the stairs.”

“…….”

Lover?

Hearing this term of address, Bo Yueming finally took off the glasses blocking his eyes. His dark blue irises were no longer lifeless, and there was a rare evenly-matched appreciation in them.

“Director You, good to meet you.”

The same words, but with a different meaning.

You Qinian understood what he meant, and became more frank, “To be honest, this project is really too large. You can actually afford it, but I can’t take the risk of investing all my capital into it.”

It was good to be able to win the entire thing, but in case there were unavoidable misfortunes during the construction process—

The others in the You family who were eyeing him would take the opportunity to attack and try to drag him down from his high position.

Participating in the bidding in the form of a consortium could increase the chances of winning for both parties.

You Qinian, who had just taken office, could have some leeway, and Bo Yueming could also rely on the success of this project to return to a core position in the group headquarters.

Bo Yueming picked up the whiskey on the table. “Director You, cooperation is fine, but I request that the consortium be led by Bo and the interests be divided 4-6 in the end.”

“…….”

You Qinian’s eyes shifted slightly. “Mr. Bo, you have a big appetite, ah.”

In his envisioning, You should be the leading enterprise, and a 50-50 split was the greatest sincerity he could give.

Bo Yueming took a sip of whiskey, not denying it. “Director You, if I didn’t have much of an appetite, why would I sit here and discuss cooperation with you?”

“This will bring down Shuntian Group step by step and make You the leader in Wencheng and even the coastal areas. As for other projects in the future, Bo will never compete with you for the top spot.”

Bo Yueming put the whiskey back on the table and made a final ultimatum. “4-6, it isn’t too much.”

You Qinian’s jaw tensed imperceptibly, and it took him a long time to reply. “There are still three days. Let me think about it.”

. . . . . .

Footsteps sounded upstairs.

Bo Yueming quickly donned his guide glasses, and the cold indifference of “not being able to see” suffused his body again.

Pei Yi descended the stairs first. He saw Bo Yueming get up slowly and fumble around, and trotted to his side. “Er-ge.”

Bo Yueming grasped his wrist habitually, his gaze off-center. “Director You, if there is nothing else, then we will leave first.”

Seeing him pretend to be decent in front of Pei Yi, You Qinian suddenly felt speechless, but he quickly adjusted. “Mr. Bo, walk slowly.”

As an assistant, Zhang Sunzhi sent them out and then returned. “Qinian, is the deal settled?”

You Qinian dropped his defenses, cupping his temples that were about to explode. “Somewhat. Bo Yueming has the intention to cooperate, but the conditions he raised are harsher than I had imagined.”

Since he was stabbed last year, this injured temple would always hurt sharply in rainy weather.

Distressed, Zhang Shunzhi pulled him down to sit, “It’s fine if you can’t talk about it. Don’t hurt yourself, why bother to be obsessed with this project?”

“If I don’t snatch this project from Chen Shun’s hands and stop the mouths of those people with ulterior motives, I won’t be able to secure my position completely.”

If his seat was unstable, he would be at their mercy.

You Qinian hesitated to speak, “Such pain…..I don’t want to go through it again.”

Last year, when the You Clan’s fighting was at its worst, not only You Qinian’s face suffered an accident, but Zhang Shunzhi’s leg also suffered at that time.

You Qinian asked Zhang Shunzhi to sit down, and glanced at his legs. “It might be about to rain, does your leg hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

Zhang Shunzhi masked it with one sentence, and changed the subject. “I just got to know Little Mister Pei, and I think he’s quite interesting, as well as a very nice person. What do you think of Mr. Bo?”

“Younger than me by four or five years—” You Qinian shook his head. “Ambitious and able to control the overall situation. I wonder what the current patriarch of the Bo family is thinking.”

To actually regard a sharp blade like Bo Yueming as an outcast? How ridiculous.

You Qinian stopped there and gently said, “Sit down for a while, I’ll go get some hot water and apply it to your foot.”

Zhang Shunzhi teased with a smile, “Then I will trouble Director You.”

. . . . . . .

Bo Yueming and Pei Yi walked into the elevator hall, followed by Sun Wei, who was in charge of security. Sun Wei said, “Boss Bo, do you want to go back to the exchange meeting or to the parking lot?”

“Let’s go back to the parking lot, you can contact Lin Zhong.”

In fact, one of the main purposes of Bo Yueming’s decision to come to this exchange meeting was to try to meet You Qinian, who was also the director of a Wencheng enterprise.

He didn’t originally see the other party at the exchange meeting, so Bo Yueming thought that his plan had failed.

Unexpectedly, there was another way out.

As a landmark enterprise in Wencheng, Shuntian Group did have an advantage in this bidding. No matter how confident Bo Yueming was in his bidding plan, he was also worried about this.

Bo Yueming had been considering the feasibility of consortium bidding when unexpectedly, You Qinian actually approached him of his own initiative and incidentally “gave” the initiative to him.

Now that the initial negotiation with You Qinian had been completed, there was no need for him to stay at this Hongmen Banquet.

Pei Yi was unclear about the outcome of the negotiation between Bo Yueming and You Qinian. “Er-ge?”

“It’s fine.”

Bo Yueming held his hand firmly. “Let’s go home.”

“……..”

Pei Yi lowered his eyes to look at their clasped hands, and felt a warmth in his heart.

He thought back to the beginning and how Bo Yueming “disliked” this marriage, and he was not allowed to have physical contact or call out to him jokingly. But now everything seemed to have changed, and this could indirectly prove one point—

Hadn’t his own existence played a role? Hadn’t Bo Yueming not become withdrawn, twisted, and blackened like in the original text?

When Pei Yi thought of this possibility, he unconsciously tightened his grip. “Er-ge!”

The elevator doors swung open.

Aware of his hard grip, Bo Yueming replied, “What is it?”

Pei Yi was a little proud, and said inexplicably, “I’m amazing.”

Bo Yueming heard this nonsensical sentence and teased, “En, knowing to call me ‘husband’ is amazing.”

“……..”

Couldn’t this matter pass? 

Why did this person like to laugh at him recently?

Pei Yi took a deep breath and tried to shake his hand off, but failed.

. . . . . . .

The elevator quickly arrived at the underground floor.

Lin Zhong, who had already completed the task and come down first, was waiting at the door. He reported immediately after seeing Bo Yueming, “Mr. Bo, I have already brought back the recording pen. Chen Shun and the others didn’t find it.”

“When I left the exchange hall, I met Ms. Zhong Yi again. She took the initiative to leave her contact information and said that she would like to meet up with you again sometime and ask about the Old Lady’s situation.”

Bo Yueming nodded, without much to say.

It wasn’t until they drew closer to Lao Zhang’s car that he intentionally urged Sun Wei away. “Stay outside the car for a while longer.”

A trace of approval flickered in Pei Yi’s eyes as he understood what Bo Yueming was doing.

They had to confirm the news on the recorder as soon as possible, but Sun Wei had only been working with them for a day, so they couldn’t fully trust him.

Sun Wei fulfilled his duty and completely obeyed Bo Yueming’s arrangements. “Okay, Boss Bo.”

The door closed again.

After cutting off all possibility of prying eyes from outside, Bo Yueming cut to the point at once. “Did it record anything?”

“It did!”

Lin Zhong’s expression was indescribably complicated as he simply clicked the playback button of the recording pen. “Mr. Bo, I think you should just listen!”

The recording was a bit staticky, but it didn’t affect the clarity of Chen Shun and Pan Chenggong’s conversation—

Chen Shun’s anger remained undiminished. “I told you to change the batch of safety equipment last time, did you hear my words with deaf ears? How long has it been, and another life has been lost! Do you still want to live!”

“Dad, you, listen to my explanation, I really changed them out! Just, there are so many different batch numbers, and I didn’t know that there would be a fish that slipped through the net and caused something to go wrong!”

“You didn’t know? I think you know better than anyone else that you have the guts to deceive those below and above you! Get the hell out of the company today! Find a way to deal with it yourself!”

Pan Chenggong raised his voice pleadingly, “Dad! I really know I’m wrong! Xiuxiu is pregnant and about to go into labor, if I’m taken away by the police, she will be worried! Just help me one more time!”

“You……”

The furious Chen Shun remained silent for a long while.

During the pause in the recording, Lin Zhong told of the news he had found out. “Chen Shun’s daughter, Chen Xiu, met Pan Chenggong in university. They have been married for many years, and she only became pregnant this year.”

Chen Shun’s voice sounded, but this time it was nearly inaudible. Fortunately, Lin Zhong adjusted the volume to its highest point—

“If you pay the damages privately, you can directly pay double what the other party wants, and I will take care of the other things. You can’t let Xiuxiu know about this. If something goes wrong between her and the child in her belly, I’ll peel your skin off!”

There was the sound of a door opening and closing again.

Following this conversation, Pei Yi’s heart overflowed with disgust—

For the sake of your pregnant daughter, you want to do a favor for this money-loving son-in-law who disregards human life?

What about Qiao Dong’s brother? What about Qiao Dong’s pregnant sister-in-law and nephew? Qiao Dong’s father had to send his own son away! The lives of the rich were important, but the lives of the workers on the bottom could be ignored and trampled upon!

Coldness also condensed in Bo Yueming’s eyes. He decided after a little thought, “Lin Zhong, go to the twelfth floor again and tell You Qinian about the recorder and Qiao Dong.”

Since he intended to form a bidding alliance, some things should be handed over to more suitable people!

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Forty-Five <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Forty-Seven

Liu Xian’an got up early and hadn’t eaten anything. On the way, he met a cook delivering food and asked for a steamed bun. The solid and slightly bitter yellow rice flour took a lot of teeth to bite, and he ate slowly while asking: “Is there still a shortage of food in the army?”

“If we can quickly attack Qianqu City, there will be no shortage, and there is just enough for the time being.” Liang Shu stretched out his arm to be used as a handrail, and the two climbed up to a high hill together. “I was discussing with Gao Lin this morning about sending you back to Baihe Mountain Village.”

When he heard this, Liu Xian’an was slightly taken aback, and after a long silence, he said doubtfully: “How long will it take to fight Qianqu City?”

“Not long.” Liang Shu said, “I plan to hand over Qianqu City to Hong Feng for him to fight.”

Lu Xiang had been dismissed for dereliction of duty, but the position of commander could not remain vacant forever. There must be someone to take it over temporarily, and Hong Feng was the best candidate selected by Liang Shu and Gao Lin from the army after so many days of observation. Liu Xian’an also felt that Qianqu City would not be difficult to attack, because Huang Wangxiang’s banner had already fallen and the rebel army had lost its backbone. And the two cities Qingyang and Sanshui had been captured by the Yan army with the force of lightning, which should have an enormous psychological deterrent effect on the rebels in Qianqu City.

He asked: “Since the battle can be resolved quickly, why are you rushing to send me and A-Ning back?”

Liang Shu was helpless: “Because the plan has changed. Emperor Brother sent a long-distance urgent decree last night so that I don’t have to go back to Wangcheng, and after the rebel army is wiped out, I will go directly to the Southwest to investigate the Baifu Sect.”

Investigate the Baifu Sect. These few words sounded simple, but they were a venomous constrictor that had been entrenched in the Southwest mountains for many years, and if they were not careful, they might be swallowed by it. The Imperial court had sent troops many times in recent years, but they were only knocks on the partition wall intended to deter them from being too arrogant. Liu Xian’an asked: “This is a provisional decision made by the Emperor?”

“It doesn’t count as such,” Liang Shu said. “Emperor Brother has been making arrangements in secret since he ascended the throne, the timeline has just moved up a little. To eradicate the cult and to divert the Bai River, these two events are his greatest wish. The Bai River may take many generations of working together, but that is not so for the cult. The Baifu Sect’s reach is getting longer and longer. If these ghastly claws are not cut clean, sooner or later the entire territory of Dayan will wither.”

Taking advantage of the security of the border at this time, he could free up his hands to take care of it.

When Liu Xian’an was lying in the waterside pavilion, watching the sky and sleeping, he just felt that his parents, brothers, and sisters were very busy every day. And now that he had met Liang Shu, he realized that ‘being busy’ could reach the height of a mountain.

Marching and fighting without sleep, now that the war was finally coming to an end, he was sent to the Southwest again before he could breathe a sigh of relief.

Whether the Emperor was a wise ruler, Liu Xian’an couldn’t discern for the time being, but he truly could see that the Emperor was very short of people around him.

Liang Shu asked: “Why are you in a daze again?”

Liu Xian’an swallowed the yellow rice bread in his mouth: “Then I’ll go to the Southwest too.”

Liang Shu gazed at him. Go to the Southwest together. This idea had also ignited in him for a short time, but in the end, he extinguished the flames. When carrying him back to camp under the moonlight last night, that body was light in his arms. Wrapped in a loose robe, he was slender and weak, very much like a weightless cat. So he would send him back to Baihe Mountain Village, ba, to that stable and wealthy town. Let him continue to eat and sleep, and watch the sky and clouds, and when he was tired of lying down, he could play chess and talk with those annoying white-bearded old men.

Liu Xian’an asked: “Why does the prince keep looking at me?”

Liang Shu said: “The forests in the Southwest lands are dense, with miasma everywhere. In the deep mountains where the Baifu Sect are located, there are even more snakes, insects, and rats crawling around.”

“Then I must go. The prince must have a doctor by his side, right?” Of course, there must be an army in the Southwest, as well as local military doctors. But Liu Xian’an thought, I’m different from them, I have to go.

Liang Shu frowned: “You cannot.”

Liu Xian’an turned his back to him and muttered, that’s your call, I have my own legs.

The sound was like a hum, but Liang Shu heard it clearly and grabbed his hairband: “Turn around, how can there be a person who brings suffering upon himself?”

Liu Xian’an said: “It cannot be considered suffering.” In ancient times, there were sages who sought the true, good, pure, and beautiful dao of heaven, traveling thousands of miles and walking barefoot all over the mountains and rivers. He himself would go to the Southwest to seek the same sort of pure new world. Wasn’t this very reasonable? Then he continued, “And the prince has promised to help me rearrange the worlds in my mind.”

Liang Shu knocked on his forehead: “I think you can come in and out freely now.”

“Not so, not so.” Liu Xian’an put on an act. “I still have a bit of a headache.”

Liang Shu didn’t expose his clumsy acting skills. Sliding his fingers down, he took advantage of the opportunity to pinch the other’s cheek: “You just want to go. What about those white-bearded old men who told you to do nothing and ignore the world? When it’s time to implement it, you throw it clean away.”

Liu Xian’an’s voice was pulled out by him – but the sages also say that if you go to rule the country and then leave it, there will be chaos.

In any case, I am going.

Liang Shu asked: “Just to save the country?”

Liu Xian’an tried to bluff his way out, answering: “Something like that.”

“Where is the point of difference?”

“Don’t know.”

“Then you are not allowed to go.”

“…….”

In the end, Liu Xian’an had no choice but to acknowledge that the point of difference was the prince. But admitting it was not enough, and His Royal Highness Xiao Wang continued to interrogate him about how many points that “point of difference” was. Liu Xian’an gestured that a cun was not enough, nor a chi or a zhang, and in the end, he could only point to the east, west, north, and south, taking in the entire world as far as he could see. Liang Shu was, with difficulty, satisfied with his own measure.

Liu Xian’an asked: “Then can I go to the Southwest now?”

Liang Shu nodded: “All right.”

After returning to camp, he told Gao Lin about the incident. Lieutenant General Gao sighed repeatedly, pulled the prince to a deserted corner, and persuaded him earnestly, didn’t we agree to send Second Young Master Liu back to Baihe City? Why did you suddenly change your mind? Asking for a wife is all about romantic surroundings, what the hell is a cult lair? There are dangers and miasma, who has the brains to take his sweetheart there? Is the prince menacing someone again?

Liang Shu was dizzy from his nattering: “Stay away from me.”

And A-Ning, as always, was very supportive of this decision. He said: “I think the young master should be with the prince.”

Liu Xian’an, half lying down: “En, I think so too.”

After lying down for a while, he wrote a letter to his parents at home, telling them that he must go to the Southwest. A-Ning was at his side grinding ink for him, and also leaned over to look at the two lines, reminding him: “Young Master, write a little more, ba. This time it’s all about the war and the cult again, the Village Master and his wife must be very worried. You must let them rest assured. En……just say that the prince has taken good care of us, and it is safe here.”

Liu Xian’an wrote as he said. The family letter reached the level of a family tree, and could be said to be thick. The letter described in detail how brave and invincible His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was, commanding troops like a god, and how caring and considerate he was to himself personally, voluminous and flowing, eloquent in every detail. A-Ning finally dozed off. Rubbing his eyes, he reminded, don’t just write about His Royal Highness Xiao Wang, also write about yourself, ah. Didn’t the young master also do many capable things in the war?

But Liu Xian’an had already dropped the brush. He was tired from writing and his arm was sore, so he went to the bed and lay down: “That’s all, ba. I don’t want to move.”

A-Ning was very regretful, and carefully sorted out the letter. Halfway through, Liang Shu’s voice suddenly came from outside, and he just watched as the lazy young master who claimed that he was “very tired, his arms were sore, and he didn’t even have the energy to write an extra word” immediately got up and ran out energetically.

“……”

After a short rest, the army struck out again and moved forward.

Although Miao Changqing was a rebel, due to his meritorious service in protecting the common people, along with his illness and old age, Liang Shu sent him to Kunzhou to work as a tomb guard there. 

Although it sounded bitter, Kunzhou had a warm climate and was a place where there was no shortage of food. There was also a Baihe Medical Center nearby, which could see him at any time, and there was no need for heavy work when guarding the tombs. Just living in the village amounted to a peaceful retirement.

As expected by Liang Shu, the battle for Qianqu City was fought without much effort. Taking advantage of the terrain, Hong Feng ordered the army to slow down its marching speed in order to confuse the rebels’ spies, and personally led three thousand vanguard troops to march rapidly from another direction and raid the city overnight. The leader of the rebel army was beheaded while still in a dream, and blood splattered three feet high.

This rebellion caused by floods and famine ended at the edge of this sword.

In a dark prison, Lu Xiang looked at the bowl of rice with a piece of fat before him. He raised his head and said: “You’re trying to kill me!”

Liang Shu said: “You are corrupted and took bribes, and were lax in governing, neglected your duties, and disregarded human life. Should you not be killed?”

“Only the Emperor—”

“It is the Emperor who wants your head,” Liang Shu interrupted him coldly. “Kneel down and receive the Imperial edict.”

Lu Xiang’s face was ashen, and he slumped to the ground: “Impossible, my uncle…..it’s you, you and my uncle have always been at odds, so you’re getting in the way. I want to face the Emperor for vindication!”

Gao Lin was amazed by his thick skin. You have the injustice of a fart. He ordered the jailer to go in and force the puddle of melting snow into a kneeling position, then opened the Imperial edict with a snap, and read it quickly. “Okay, take him out.”

“Liang Shu!” Lu Xiang shouted loudly, “You’re too arrogant! My uncle will not let you get away with this!”

Gao Lin kicked him until he was breathless: “You had better let your uncle off first, ba. This time, your beheading was personally requested by Lu-daren. He’s old enough to mop the floor with his beard, and he still has to take care of your mess. If you really have a conscience, your soul will drift far away after death and not frighten that hapless old man.”

Lu Xiang was dragged the whole way out, along with a continuous pattering of liquid. Gao Lin covered his nose and followed Liang Shu out to supervise the beheading. The people of Qianqu City were all there. The executioner went down and beheaded Lu Xiang, which also slew the corruption and dereliction of duty in the hearts of officials in the Baihe area.

Food for disaster relief had been shipped from all over the nation. The Imperial envoys were about to arrive, and refugees were being accepted in an orderly manner by local governments, so they could at least live through a winter that was no longer hungry or cold.

Liu Xian’an was sitting in a southbound carriage, holding a heater in his hands, his nose still red from the cold.

“I heard from Lieutenant General Gao that it’s already snowing in the north.” A-Ning also squeezed in beside him. “It would be great if we were in Wangcheng.”

Liu Xian’an also felt a little regretful, because it never snowed in Baihe City. He had never seen snow before, and his nose itched at the thought.

“Achoo!”

A-Ning picked up a cloak to the side and wrapped him up completely. The black fur was embellished with golden lace, very luxurious and exquisite. It was not of the same tailoring style as Second Young Master Liu’s usual robes, so one could tell it was something from the palace at a glance. And besides the cloak, the blankets, cushions, and pillows were all sent by His Royal Highness Xiao Wang.

A-Ning was baffled, waving his hands again and again: “We have them, we have them already.”

Gao Lin was resolute: “It doesn’t matter if you already have them, you have to keep them.”

The journey is long and the country is remote, and my prince really has nothing else to give. But this is his first awakening of love, the time where there are butterflies in his stomach and a little spark can cause a wildfire. He truly wishes that he could hold out all the good things in the world to his sweetheart, and after searching and searching, he could only find these. Although they look shabby and disgraceful, and your family’s young master may not need them, they must still be accepted.

A-Ning held a huge quilt in his arms. Feeling very dazed, he got into the carriage with great difficulty and said: “I tried to refuse. We have blankets, but Lieutenant General Gao ran after stuffing it into my arms, and I couldn’t catch up at all.”

Liu Xian’an spread his hands on the bed: “Give it to me.”

A-Ning crawled over and tidied up for a long time, saying with a troubled look: “I really can’t put any more down, our original quilt is not small. We should still return this to the prince.”

Liu Xian’an hugged his big quilt tightly.

Won’t return it.

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Fifty << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-Two

It was soon time for dinner.

As a full-time housekeeper, Uncle Kai had always been a proficient cook, and could whip up a table of food alone even if he was busy.

At the long dinner table, Pei Yi deliberately chose the farthest place from the main seat.

Uncle Kai was a little surprised when he brought the soup over. “Little Sir, why are you sitting at the corner?”

He usually sat next to the main seat when he ate.

“Hmm.”

Pei Yi responded half-heartedly, pretending to be immersed in the food.

Not long ago, he was so stimulated from Bo Yueming’s words that he fled the sofa in a hurry, and his mood had not completely calmed down yet.

He didn’t know what was going on, but Pei Yi always felt that Bo Yueming was flirting with him intentionally or unintentionally. After thinking about it, he felt that his facial expression wasn’t right—

After all, when Bo Yueming spoke with such a face, eight out of ten sentences were enough to “kill” people!

Seeing that Pei Yi was sitting in the wrong seat, Lin Zhong and the others did not dare to sit indiscriminately. Driver Lao Zhong beckoned softly, “Little Sir, why don’t you go sit down?”

“…….”

Pei Yi played the fool and pretended not to hear. He buried his head in another bite of white rice.

Sitting at the main seat, Bo Yueming saw through him but kept silent. “It’s fine, everyone can sit down as you like.”

The head of the family had opened his mouth, so Uncle Kai and the others casually found places to sit.

Having just arrived, Qiao Dong didn’t dare to be too casual, and sat in a relatively farther back seat. Because it was far away from other dishes, he only dared to take a few bites of stir-fried vegetables with white rice.

Pei Yi, who was sitting on the side with no intention of eating, noticed Qiao Dong’s restrained expression after a while.

Getting up, he picked up serving chopsticks and a small bowl, and seemed to pick up dishes at random on the table. He plopped it in front of Qiao Dong, and didn’t forget to move over the untouched spare rib soup that Uncle Kai had given him.

“Eat!”

The resounding sentence attracted the attention of everyone at the table.

Qiao Dong, who had originally wanted to reduce his sense of existence, was startled. He imitated Uncle Kai, Lin Zhong, and the others, “L-little Sir, n-no need, you eat.”

In just a few seconds, his entire face had flushed red, and that appearance of “trying to be strong” from that day in the underground parking lot was nowhere to be seen.

Pei Yi was unmoved. “Eat, you’re skinny.”

“……”

He seemed to be picking randomly, but in fact, he paid attention to every dish, obviously because he feared Qiao Dong would not be full if he restrained himself.

However, after living together for so long, why didn’t Bo Yueming see the kitten getting things for him, the one with “inconvenient eyesight?”

Heartless little thing.

Bo Yueming endured the incongruous sourness, and gave Uncle Kai a look when nobody was paying attention.

Uncle Kai understood, and said with a smile, “Qiao Dong, you don’t need to be too restrained in this family. Your leg injury isn’t healed yet, so you should eat more.”

Qiao Dong relaxed slightly and looked at Pei Yi. “Thank you, Little Sir.”

Pei Yi saw that Qiao Dong was as old as himself, and was thinking about how to ask, when Lin Zhong smiled and said, “By the way, when I handled Qiao Dong’s hospitalization before, I found that he and Little Sir were born in the same year.”

“They’re the same age? Twenty-three?” Uncle Kai was surprised. “Which month?”

Qiao Dong nodded. “December 16th, I went to school later than most people.”

Uncle Kai said with a smile, “That’s half a year later than Little Sir. No wonder Little Sir takes care of you so closely. He probably treats you as a little brother.”

Pei Yi took a sip of water, thinking to himself proudly—

Without the “probably,” that was about right.

Pei Yi was twenty-five years old in the real world, and after transmigrating, he automatically lost two years of age, which made him the youngest everywhere he went. Even Bo Wang and Bo Jiao were a year older than him.

Now that he managed to catch someone younger than him, he suddenly felt that his status had risen!

“This is good, now that Qiao Dong is with the family and he is familiar with Little Sir, he should be able to chat with him for a while.” Uncle Kai continued to chatter away, “Otherwise Little Sir shuts himself up in his room watching cartoons all day.”

“…….”

Those final words came out.

Pei Yi’s pleasant mood suddenly collapsed, and he paused for a few seconds before burying himself in his food.

Bo Yueming smiled covertly. “All right, let’s eat.”

Qiao Dong looked at the small bowl of food in front of him and unknowingly felt a little more affection for Pei Yi. He let go of his restraint and began to eat.

Bo Yueming ate quietly, and the others didn’t talk much.

At the end of dinner, Lin Zhong got up to answer a call from Song Yuanyuan, and walked back not long after with a trace of uncertainty in his eyes. “Mr. Bo.”

Bo Yueming noticed his unusual tone. “What’s wrong?”

“Team Leader Song called. Chen Shun’s secretary contacted him ten minutes ago, saying that there is an exchange reception for enterprises in Wencheng this weekend. He wants to invite you to attend.”

The reason given by the other party was very good-sounding—

Although it was a foreign company, the current Bo Corporation had a branch in Wencheng, after all, so it was also a company from Wencheng.

“Since Chen Shun could get someone to make threatening phone calls to Qiao Dong, perhaps he is secretly monitoring his whereabouts.” Lin Zhong expressed his own analysis, and the expression of concern on his face remained undiminished. “We just now took Qiao Dong home, and then received a party invitation.”

Lin Zhong hesitated to speak, and changed to a more suitable phrasing, “It is said that as the head of enterprise in Wencheng, the annual exchange meeting is organized by Shuntian Group.”

“…….”

Both Bo Yueming and Pei Yi sensed something unusual, and their expressions changed slightly.

Qiao Dong, whose heartstrings had just loosened, instantly became nervous again. “Mr. Bo, m-me living here, will it cause trouble for you? How about I leave?”

Bo Yueming asked in a low voice, “Where can you go in your current situation? Will you leave Wencheng due to the threat?”

Qiao Dong was speechless.

If that was the case, where else could he seek justice for his brother?

Bo Yueming didn’t like to beat around the bush when speaking. “Chen Shun manages the Shuntian Group and has been in power for so many years. This isn’t about a small person like you.”

Pei Yi nodded imperceptibly—

Lin Zhong’s analysis was correct. Chen Shun must know where Qiao Dong was now, and feared that Bo Yueming would help him.

If there was a disturbance at this juncture of the upcoming bidding, it would definitely affect the Shuntian Group’s harvest of the “Wencheng Sports Center” project.

Thus, for Bo Yueming, this exchange banquet was likely to be a “Hongmen banquet,”^[1] 

Bo Yueming inwardly considered the pros and cons, and finally decided, “Ask Song Yuanyuan to tell Chen Shun’s secretary that I will arrive on time in two days.”

Lin Zhong frowned. “Mr. Bo, are you sure you want to go?”

After all, Wencheng was not the Imperial Capital. No matter how powerful the Bo family was, it would not be able to extend to here. Bo Yueming’s wealth and background in this city was probably insufficient.

What should he do if something went wrong?

Bo Yueming understood Lin Zhong’s implication, but the proudness of his features remained the same. “What are you afraid of? Even in the Imperial Capital, how reliable can my family background be?”

Lin Zhong took a deep breath. “Alright, then. I will reply to him now.”

Pei Yi looked at Lin Zhong’s gradually retreating back, and immediately said, “Er-ge.”

Bo Yueming understood tacitly, and said at once, “No.”

“…….”

Before he could say a word, he was stopped by the other party.

Pei Yi was stuck for a few seconds before giving a hum, “I, I go out to play too!”

Bo Yueming resolutely rebuffed him, “The reception is not a fun place. Are the troubles you caused in the Imperial Capital before not enough for you to learn a lesson?”

Pei Yi was speechless, but completely dissatisfied.

What troubles he caused in the past? It was clearly the short-sighted people who took the initiative to seek him out who were troublesome!

And every time trouble arrived, which person with ulterior motives hadn’t been given a lesson by him, ah? If it weren’t for “playing the fool” limiting the use of his mouth, he would be able to take down several of them alone!

Of course, it was more convenient to “play the fool” and hit back directly!

Pei Yi remembered his impulsive thoughts when he decided to come to Wencheng. Wasn’t it because he was afraid that Bo Yueming, who couldn’t see, would be ridiculed, targeted, or even secretly bullied by other people?

It was obvious that something might be wrong with this reception, so he naturally wanted to follow along to have a look.

When he realized this, Pei Yi simply ran to Bo Yueming’s side. “Er-ge!”

Bo Yueming frowned. “I said n—”

“I want to accompany you.”

“……..”

Bo Yueming swallowed his unspoken words. He knew these words were emphasized to “please him and be good,” and that the kitten wanted to go to the reception more out of curiosity and excitement, but he still couldn’t refuse.

He unobtrusively changed his half-spoken refusal and said, “Follow me the entire time and don’t run around. You have to…..”

Pei Yi hurriedly nodded and answered quickly, “Super obedient!”

Bo Yueming was blocked by his confident tone.

Uncle Kai and Lao Zhang to the side exchanged teasing glances, smiling. “Our Little Sir, ah, he’s the most clever at such a time!”

Qiao Dong also found it interesting and snickered, then heard Bo Yueming say as if changing the subject, “Qiao Dong, you stay here. Don’t worry too much, I do things my own way.”

Pei Yi agreed, giving a rare “En.”

Temporarily suppressing the uneasiness in his heart, Qiao Dong said, “I-I know. Thank you, Mr. Bo and Little Sir.”

. . . . . . .

Soon, it was Sunday.

Wencheng’s annual corporate exchange meeting was organized by Shuntian Group, and the venue was set at the Wencheng World Trade Center. In recent years, each one was higher than the other one.

Those invited to participate were all enterprises in Wencheng and nearby cities. As for the exchanges, they were nothing more than those topics involved in the business field.

Guided by a courteous attendant, Bo Yueming and Pei Yi smoothly entered the hall. In addition, they were followed by Lin Zhong and a hired security guard.

The group had just entered the exchange hall.

Chen Shun, who had heard the news in advance, approached. “Mr. Bo, welcome. I haven’t seen you in a while.”

Bo Yueming had narrowed his eyes before Chen Shun approached, and stretched out his hand as if recognizing his voice, “Chairman Chen? It was your invitation, so of course I wanted to come.”

Chen Shun reached a hand out and shook.

He took the opportunity to look at everyone around Bo Yueming, seemingly casual. “Unexpectedly, Little Mister Pei came along. There is also the short-haired brother in the back, who looks unfamiliar, ah.”

Bo Yueming knew that there were more words between the lines. “Chairman Chen, my eyesight is not convenient, and our family’s Pei Yi likes to follow me around childishly. If another bodyguard follows, he will be safer. Please excuse me.”

“…….”

Familiar excuses came to his ears, causing Chen Shun’s smile to freeze.

He immediately thought of the “It’s my treat” remark he had made on a whim that night, and knew immediately afterwards—

The other party unceremoniously spent almost 300,000 of his account for that meal, and took more than a dozen bottles of good wine alone, truly capable of doing dirty tricks!

Chen Shun repressed the grievance of his loss, asking with a smile, “Mr. Bo, I wonder if it is convenient to talk alone? There are seats in the dessert and drink area over there, Little Mister Pei and the others should like it.”

Bo Yueming wouldn’t even give him this little bit of face, and ordered the people around him, “You take Pei Yi over there first, and Sun Wei stays.”

“Yes!”

“Okay, Boss.”

The bodyguard Sun Wei and Lin Zhong responded one after another.

Pei Yi was not dissatisfied with Bo Yueming’s arrangements, and obediently followed.

Chen Shun looked at Sun Wei, who was still on guard behind Bo Yueming, and paused for a few seconds before calling a waiter over for wine. “Mr. Bo, what do you think about my prior proposal?”

“Proposal?”

Bo Yueming shook his wine glass slightly, as if he had to think for a few seconds before he remembered. “Apologies, Chairman Chen, the bidding this time was assigned by headquarters. Even if I wanted to start with a small project, the leaders above wouldn’t let me.”

This meant: they would not withdraw from the bidding.

Chen Shun thought of Bo Yueming’s position in the Bo family, and he really didn’t appear to be a person with the right to have a say. There was less than half a month now before the bidding, so it seemed he was destined to be a competitor.

Chen Shun expressed his understanding. “Mr. Bo, I know of your difficulties, but the two families will inevitably have a falling-out during this project, and no matter what the result is, I fear that it will hurt the peace in the end, ah.”

Bo Yueming took a sip of champagne, responding with ease, “Chairman Chen, fair bidding depends on ability. If one loses, who would take it amiss?”

“……..”

Seeing that Bo Yueming was invulnerable, Chen Shun could only pause for a few seconds and then get to the point. “Mr. Bo, the matter of the bidding is a fair competition, but I have another matter I would like to discuss with you.”

Bo Yueming already knew. “Chairman Chen, you might as well speak bluntly.”

Chen Shun glanced at the bodyguard behind him, and approached unhesitatingly. “Mr. Bo, listen to my advice, don’t bother with that Qiao Dong.”

He had sent someone to investigate in private, and Qiao Dong had never left Wencheng.

Because Zhao Hui’s death was not handled well, Chen Shun didn’t have the gangsters come to his door this time, but had them call and make threats. But he didn’t expect—

After Qiao Dong left the hospital, he was picked up by a black car. Upon investigation, the owner of the car was Bo Yueming’s current driver.

There was less than a month left before the final bidding, and Chen Shun feared that Bo Yueming would take advantage of Qiao Dong to fight back disproportionately. After all, things like a “human life” would definitely have adverse effects if things got serious.

Bo Yueming took half a step back. “Why can’t I understand Chairman Chen’s words?”

Chen Shun took the initiative to touch their wine glasses lightly, speaking with more weight, “I have led the Shuntian Group for more than thirty years, and have long been tied to Wencheng. What kind of bedbugs in the gutter have I not encountered these years?”

“Filthy things will find no benefits here, but I didn’t expect to turn around and meet Mr. Bo.” Chen Shun drank the champagne in one gulp, playing hard and soft, “I warn Mr. Bo, one should be careful not to put in the investment and not get anything back. Don’t you agree?”

Bo Yueming gestured with his raised glass and replied in a moderate tone, “I’ve been taught.”

Chen Shun saw his attitude, and there was a hint of anger in his expression. He still wanted to say something more, but a man with greasy hair and fat ears leaned over, “Dad! I need you urgently!”

He seemed to fear that outsiders would overhear, so he leaned over to Chen Shun’s ear and whispered.

“…….”

In less than five seconds, Chen Shun’s expression underwent a sudden change.

He faced Bo Yueming again, deliberately feigning calmness. “Mr. Bo, I have some personal matters to attend to, so excuse me.”

Bo Yueming sensed that something was wrong, but he couldn’t be bothered to stick around and go in circles with Chen Shun here. “Chairman Chen can do as he pleases.”

Chen Shun and the fat man left quickly into the distance.

Pei Yi stopped eating pudding, and pointed while asking Lin Zhong, “Him. Who?”

Lin Zhong was also keeping an eye on Bo Yueming’s situation. After seeing the direction Pei Yi’s finger was pointing, he revealed, “That, ah, it seems to be Chairman Chen’s son-in-law, named Pan Chenggong.”

He feared that the foolish Pei Yi would not understand, so he added concisely, “Little Sir, he is a bad person!”

Managing such a large construction site project, but still greedy for money, his first reaction after destroying a life was not dealing with the aftermath, but to be perfunctory and keep silent, then make threats. He was simply scum!

Coming from the heart, this sentence was true.

Lin Zhong thought of this, and his nausea could only surge.

Pei Yi gazed at Chen Shun and Pan Chenggong’s panic as they left, and felt that there was a reason for this incident. He used that little excuse of “going to the toilet” that didn’t have bad results, and got up, rushing in the direction the other party had left.

Seeing this, Lin Zhong hurriedly followed. “Little Sir! Wait for me!”

The banquet hall used for the exchange meeting was a duplex with two floors. Pei Yi went upstairs carefully using the circular staircase in the corridor. He remembered Bo Yueming’s explanation and did not stop Lin Zhong from following.

Lin Zhong followed behind while using his phone to update Bo Yueming. When he looked up and saw that Pei Yi had randomly gone in the wrong direction, he stopped him immediately. “Little Sir, the bathroom is not upstairs. You……”

“Shh!”

Pei Yi put his finger to his lips, and said in a very low and exaggerated voice, “Bad guy!”

Lin Zhong couldn’t keep up with Pei Yi’s brainwaves for a moment. “W-what?”

As soon as he spoke, there was the sound of violent fury from a room at the end of the second floor corridor. “You pig brain! Haven’t you learned enough lessons yet? How the hell do you dare to make trouble for me!”

Lin Zhong recognized Chen Shun’s voice, and his eyes shifted suddenly. “Little Sir, shh! Don’t move!”

Pei Yi silently nodded.

Due to the meeting in Linshui Pavilion, Pei Yi had the most basic judgment of Chen Shun’s character—

A smiling old fox.

After Pan Chenggong succeeded in getting close just now, Chen Shun’s expression and hurried steps to leave clearly indicated an accident!

Pei Yi knew that due to Bo Yuemings impaired eyesight, he would be unable to see this subtle change, so he quickly chased after in his stead.

The reason why Lin Zhong acquiesced to following was purely to assure Bo Yueming, but he was far better than Pei Yi imagined—

After having followed Bo Yueming for a long time, Lin Zhong’s instinctive reactions were better than anyone else’s.

The moment he heard the dispute, he fumbled the recording pen he used for work out of his pocket, approached quietly, and placed it in the nearest decorative potted plant.

Having done all this, Lin Zhong walked back quickly and coaxed in a low voice, “Little Sir, let’s go first, shall we? There is a lot of delicious food downstairs!”

There was only one corridor and stairs that led to the banquet hall here. Even if they hid in the lounge closeby, there was a certain possibility of being discovered, and it was very easy to alert the enemy.

Pei Yi understood Lin Zhong’s inner concerns.

Now that there was a better solution, there was no reason to risk himself.

The two quickly descended the stairs.

Fortunately, all the guests downstairs gathered in the banquet hall were busy dealing with each other, so they really didn’t have time to pay attention to this minor scene.

The two returned to the rest area along the edge of the banquet hall.

Before he could get close, Pei Yi unconsciously paused his steps. Following back and to the side, Lin Zhong felt it was strange and took a closer look before realizing—

Bo Yueming was sitting on a sofa at the end of the rest area, the bodyguard standing upright at his post behind him. Most importantly, there was a sexy young woman sitting next to Bo Yueming!

The other party was sitting slightly sideways, looking at Bo Yueming with a smile on her face. The straps of her dress were slightly revealing, and curly hair swung fragrantly over her shoulders. The hand holding the wine glass was also extraordinarily slender and beautiful.

Her demeanor was very outstanding, sexy but not tacky.

There was no telling what they were talking about at the moment. The woman seemed to be having a good time, and touched her glass to Bo Yueming’s.

Lin Zhong turned to Pei Yi and asked in a low voice, “Little Sir, are we going over?”

Pei Yi watched Bo Yueming drain the glass of champagne in coordination with her, without a hint of disgust at all, and he held his breath with narrowed eyes—

Sure enough, he was the villain comparable to the main male protagonist in the original text, capable of attracting bees and butterflies anywhere he went!

How was a “blind man” still so charming?

Pei Yi turned around and planned to leave. “Won’t go.”

Lin Zhong was afraid that Pei Yi would get lost and cause trouble, so he quickly coaxed him on behalf of his boss, “Little Sir, don’t you want to eat dessert? You still haven’t eaten very much yet.”

“……..”

Yes, ah.

That should be his place.

Pei Yi regained his confidence and walked over quickly, picking up a small cake in front of Bo Yueming and the woman.

Bo Yueming’s eyes hidden under the lenses noticed Pei Yi in the first moment. He was about to introduce both parties, but then he heard the soft voice of the person beside him ask, “Yueming, who is this?”

“…….”

Yueming?

When did they become so close?

They could address each other so intimately?

Hearing this voice as soft as water, Pei Yi tightened his grip on the cake and played the fool on impulse, humming, “Husband.”

“………”

The woman sitting on the sofa was taken aback for a moment, and even Lin Zhong, who was used to being around the other party, was surprised.

When Bo Yueming heard Pei Yi’s long-lost address, a smile flashed in his eyes. “Sister Zhong Yi, let me introduce you. This is Pei Yi.”

Lin Zhong to the side reacted at last. “Zhong Yi? Yes, you are the special assistant who followed the Old Lady?”

Bo Yueming nodded slightly, explaining to Lin Zhong, and more so to Pei Yi, “En, since she graduated, Sister Zhong Yi has been working with Grandma for twelve years.”

Zhong Yi had an extremely strong ability to handle affairs, and there was a saying that once spread around: “Bo Peizhi has cultivated to her youthful self again.”

Five years ago, thirty-four-year-old Zhong Yi met her current husband. After weighing matters, she resigned from the Bo family and went to Haishi to start a family and a business with her husband.

They didn’t expect to go full circle and run into each other again in Wencheng. The other party was on a business trip with her husband at this time.

Zhong Yi had always been self-disciplined. Near forty years old, she had a well-maintained figure and skin, and it was easy for her to be regarded as a young girl just from her back view and profile.

“…….”

When Pei Yi met Zhong Yi’s gentle gaze, he was so embarrassed that he couldn’t breathe.

What was he doing just now?

Didn’t he think Bo Yueming was hooked in by a young girl?

But how could he explain the sudden intimate address?

Although Pei Yi wanted to hide his shame, he was betrayed by his ears, which were so red that they looked like they could bleed.

Bo Yueming saw his kitten’s rare embarrassment and shyness, so no matter how hard he had to endure, he didn’t reveal his secret. “Sister Zhong Yi, Pei Yi’s character is rather introverted and shy. Please forgive him.”

Zhong Yi turned her gaze back and teased, “It’s rare to see you protecting someone like this.”

Pei Yi felt that “playing the fool” for so long had affected his basic judgment. His entire face was on fire, and his initial jealousy was completely disregarded.

Fortunately, a phone rang and broke the silence.

Zhong Yi rummaged through her small purse and found her cell phone, saying with a smile, “It’s my husband’s number. I’ll go find him, please excuse me.”

“All right.” 

Zhong Yi stood up and stepped away gracefully in her high heels.

Bo Yueming glanced at Pei Yi, who was torturing a little cake with his head bowed, and recalled the vinegar implied by that “husband” just now. The more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t restrain his smile.

“Pei Yi, what are you doing?”

“…….”

Pei Yi clammed up in embarrassment.

Don’t address me, I’m still ashamed.

---

[1] A Hongmen banquet (鸿门宴) is set up with the aim of murdering the guest. The first thing I think of is the GOT “Red Wedding.” ⮐

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Forty-Four <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Forty-Six

Luo Ran asked for leave a few days later, and he and Lucas, who was already on vacation, went to the biggest restaurant in the Empire.

It was rare for Lucas to be dressed more neatly than usual today. At least, they weren’t his usual casual clothes. If it were not for Luo Ran taking care of his clothing, perhaps Lucas would even be wearing clothes that were worn, wrinkled, or poorly matched.

Luo Ran didn’t deliberately dress up. He looked good as long as he was neatly dressed, with a natural elegant temperament.

The two went to the designated box together.

A counter was set up at the door with a heat-detecting machine, which prompted them to sign and register on a signature pad.

After finishing all this, Luo Ran pushed the door open and entered, and most of the eyes in the venue turned toward him.

Luo Ran smiled and nodded, looking at ease.

Lucas stood behind him, with an expressionless face that, when looked at from time to time, had its own baleful look and unapproachable ferocity.

The atmosphere was a bit delicate, and when the rest of the people looked at Luo Ran, their expressions stiffened for a moment.

“Welcome, ah, it’s Luo Ran…….” The class leader was a lively female Beta. She immediately stepped forward to say hello, and after a pause, she smiled awkwardly and said: “Ah, it’s Secretary Luo now.”

“This is Secretary Luo’s……boyfriend?” The class leader frowned slightly. Why did this person look so familiar……

Besides the fact that the Secretary-General was famous all over the empire for his CP with the Admiral, she had never heard of him having a boyfriend……

It was no wonder she couldn’t recognize him. Lucas’s appearances in front of the media were always in a dark military uniform.

Luo Ran paused, and Lucas behind him gave an “En.”

Luo Ran didn’t refute.

Lucas had told him before coming that he would pretend to be his boyfriend.

The two sat down.

Students of the same grade from the two branch schools came, some of whom Luo Ran didn’t know, some who had avoided him back then, and some who had bullied him.

It could not be conveyed how awkward the atmosphere was.

However, it was the others who were awkward. Luo Ran ate on his own.

He looked refined and leisurely while eating, with exquisite facial features and his long silver hair tied into a ponytail.

At a glance, he could be distinguished from the people around him. Like an aristocrat who had strayed into a slum, there was a heavy sense of dissonance.

People from his old class didn’t dare to look at Luo Ran, and in the end, it was the class leader of the new class who said with a smile: “How is Secretary Luo recently?”

“Pretty good.” Luo Ran nodded.

Many people at the dining tables had already recognized Lucas and were too frightened to speak, only feeling like they were in a dream.

Actually eating with the Admiral of the Empire……

“Secretary Luo has become so different, ah, he was so quiet before.” At this moment, a brown-haired girl with two pigtails spoke with a smile.

She was the Viscount’s daughter who had harassed him back then, Emily Little.

Since Lucas found out about this, not only did Lucas beat up her brother Effie, but he retaliated fiercely.

At that time, Effie was taking a geology exam. The family had originally planned to give Effie money to stay in the capital to study and work, so that he could be upgraded from a bastard with academic credits to a bastard with a solid job.

However, at Lucas’s orders, Effie was ordered to join an expedition team and go to a cold and remote desolate star to study its geology.

A life with no worries about food or clothing turned into “exile,” and the family naturally resented this.

This went on for several years, and Effie was not allowed to return until the barren planet had been developed recently.

After returning, the person had changed from how he was before. His skin was bad and he was very haggard, no longer bearing the arrogant playboy look he had before.

“Secretary Luo has a boyfriend?” Emily held her chin and said: “It seems Secretary Luo succeeded in getting another job. After all, the whole Empire thinks you’re with the Admiral. It must be nice to look so good……I’m a little envious.”

Inside and out, these words implied that Luo Ran used the boss’s unspoken rules to reach his position.

“Emily, stop talking!” The boy sitting next to her recognized the person beside Luo Ran, and……Emily’s insinuation was against the Imperial hero! This was not right in any way.

“I’m too envious, I just couldn’t help but say so.” Emily gave a limpid smile and said, “I also want to have such an easy job. And Secretary Luo is a Beta, so it’s even more convenient.”

Betas were not like Omegas, whom after intercourse must use contraceptives and inhibitors to avoid trouble.

“Emily!” The class leader glared furiously. “Stop talking……!”

“Haven’t you recognized him yet?” The boy pulled at Emily and said, “The one next to him is his boss.”

“What……?”

Luo Ran raised his eyes slightly, and was about to say something, but only heard a pa! as Lucas dropped his chopsticks expressionlessly.

“It turns out that the Little family has such views and misunderstandings about the Empire and the military department.” Lucas crossed his arms in front of his chest with a smile: “Then would you like me to clarify?”

Lucas took out his terminal on the spot, clicked on the address book, and dialed.

“Admiral, may I ask what the matter is……?” After connecting, a middle-aged man’s voice came from the other end, very respectful.

Emily’s face paled, and she was speechless.

That was her father……!

Lucas raised his eyebrows and smiled: “I heard from your daughter that you think I apply unspoken rules to my subordinate, and that Luo Ran’s work is so easy that he only needs to serve me. I’m here to clarify with you both.”

Lucas said it very lightly, as if the purpose was just to “clarify.”

But the Viscount’s breathing grew obviously heavier with nervousness.

“A-Admiral……” The Viscount paused and said: “Admiral, are you with my daughter? My disgraceful daughter doesn’t know how to speak, that’s not what she meant……!”

Not listening to his explanation, Lucas cut off the call. Then he looked at Emily and said: “He said you didn’t mean it, so did you or not?”

Lucas’s voice bore neither anger nor displeasure, but Emily was shaking all over.

“I…..I’m sorry, I didn’t mean……” Emily spoke with reddened eyes. “Forgive me……”

Seeing Lucas eating with his head down, Emily came to a realization and quickly turned to Luo Ran: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

“It’s not a big deal.” Luo Ran said with a smile: “Everyone eat, ba. Don’t pay attention to me.”

The atmosphere was tense for a moment, until, driven by a few lively and talkative people, everyone gradually resumed eating and chatting.

Emily couldn’t stay any longer and left early. She also received a call from her father, and the thought of going home was another disaster.

Afterwards, Luo Ran was obviously flattered and fawned over.

He could sense that those who were unwilling to get close to him in the past, or those who had participated in the bullying, were cautiously currying favor with him, while some cast him envious glances.

Luo Ran suddenly understood what Lucas meant.

Once he came here, he would put them out of his mind.

It wasn’t because of the others’ flattery, he just thought that if he still felt bothered and sad because of these people, it would be quite……stupid.

He used to think the world was so small, but now it was the past that couldn’t be tinier.

You couldn’t see the puddles if you possessed the sea.

“Secretary Luo is so beautiful, ah. Every time I look at photos on the internet, they are so beautiful. I didn’t expect the real person to look even better.”

“When will Secretary Luo make an official announcement with the Admiral, ah?”

“Secretary Luo, this is delicious.”

Someone handed a fruit platter to Luo Ran.

Luo Ran took it with a smile: “Thank you.”

Seeing that Luo Ran was about to peel the coconut meat, Lucas frowned and patted his hand, saying: “You can’t eat this, you have a bad stomach.”

Luo Ran paused and said: “I just want to give it to you. Don’t you like coconut?”

Lucas was silent for a moment. He actually didn’t like it.

It was only that Luo Ran couldn’t eat it, so he kept grabbing it and helping him eat it.

“En, thanks,” Lucas said.

There was an intimacy between the two that prevented anyone else from intervening, an atmosphere that no one else could break.

It was only that the two were used to such intimacy, and took it for granted.

Anyone with eyes could tell if there were unspoken rules or not, and how far their relationship reached.

“I’m going to the restroom.” Luo Ran left midway.

Lucas opened his mouth, and initially wanted to say he would accompany him, but thought it would be strange and ended up saying nothing.

. . . . . .

The restroom was just around the corner at the end of the corridor. Luo Ran passed another box and could vaguely see the situation inside through a gap in the screen.

There were quite a lot of people.

It wasn’t anything worth noticing at first, but Luo Ran had always been keen, and he could sense the high-strength fighters standing outside the screen. Although they were dressed as Capital guards, Luo Ran quickly noticed that these were outsiders due to their posture, demeanor, and temperament.

Luo Ran frowned slightly.

A waiter came out pushing an empty wine cart, and Luo Ran quickly stopped him, asking: “May I ask who is in there?”

“Ah, people from the Lion Hunter Chamber of Commerce.” The waiter smiled and said: “They’ve become popular in the capital recently. The medicine they sell is super cheap and very effective!”

“So that’s it.” Luo Ran nodded.

Hearing that it was a Chamber of Commerce, he was not surprised.

The Empire was strong and safe. Not only were there many chambers of commerce in the capital, but other countries and planets were willing to come here to do business, and there were countless businessmen and powerful people from all over who gathered here.

Just then, a tall, curly-haired man stepped out.

Luo Ran then hurried into the restroom, not wanting others to find out that he was asking around. After all, it was too impolite.

. . . . . .

Gurgle. 

In the restroom, Luo Ran turned on the tap to wash his hands, and his face by the way.

He had been in a bad state of mind, taking medicine and injections every day, and still hadn’t recovered.

Shen Xiluo and Xia Zhi said he was injured too badly due to the superposition of UNK and the mecha. If Lucas hadn’t given him a temporary mark and stayed with him all day, he might not even be able to function by himself, tormented by hallucinations and agonizing seizures.

“Huh?”

A voice came from behind, and when Luo Ran looked up into the mirror, he saw that it was the curly-haired man who had just come out of the chamber of commerce.

The man had curly hair, his skin and face were pale like most people, and there were deep, dark circles under his drooping eyes. Although he looked a little sick, he was still handsome.

“Where have I seen you before?” The curly-haired man smiled and said, “Your pheromones are very familiar.”

“Hello.”

Luo Ran nodded politely, thinking that surely he had never seen this man before, right? After all, he was so unique that he would never forget him after seeing him.

“An SSS Omega……” The man took a few steps forward, narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “Truly superb.”

Luo Ran: “…….”

He remembered.

……No way.

Luo Ran’s heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened.

This was…….!

If it was really Huntsman, then how did he get in?

“The fate between me and Secretary Luo seems to be inseparable from the bathroom.” Huntsman shook his head. “I’m always meeting you in the bathroom.”

“…….” Luo Ran took a few calm steps back, pressed his terminal with his hand, and sent his location to Lucas with one key.

“It’s so pitiful, ah,” Huntsman said with a smile. “You’ve suffered such a serious spiritual injury.”

Huntsman saw it at a glance.

Luo Ran said coldly: “How dare you appear here.”

Huntsman crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows: “Why should I dare not? I can appear here because I don’t fear being discovered. You can’t catch me.”

“On the contrary……Secretary Luo, you should worry about yourself.” 

Luo Ran could feel a wave of pheromones attack him, invisible and impossible to evade.

It was……the scent of rust.

The scent of rusted metal.

Huntsman was now unscrupulously releasing his own pheromones. Using this method would not cause any great commotion.

This was different from Lucas’s previous teasing. This was attack and suppression, an Alpha’s absolute means over an Omega, which could forcibly deprive an Omega of their power and force them into heat.

Luo Ran felt like he was being held down by a pair of big, invisible hands. It was untenable. He was so uncomfortable that it was like every cell in his body was scurrying around uneasily.

Luo Ran supported himself on the sink with both hands, dripping cold sweat.

He felt sick, extremely sick.

Huntsman was an SS Alpha, and due to Luo Ran’s injury, he could completely gain the upper hand at the moment.

Luo Ran gasped for breath and bent his knees, kneeling down weakly.

Huntsman smiled, stepped forward, and knelt down in front of him.

Bam—!

At this exact moment, Luo Ran promptly picked up the bucket next to him and viciously threw it at Huntsman.

Huntsman was too close to dodge, and was caught off guard.

………!

Got him!

Huntsman’s head was directly smashed by the wooden barrel, and blood flowed out along with the dirty water that splashed his face. The two liquids mixed together and dripped from the scattered hair on his forehead and down his chin.

Huntsman: “…….”

The water was not only dirty, but also smelly.

This may be the most humiliating moment of his life.

And it was done to him by an Omega.

Of course…….the other party was obviously not an ordinary Omega.

Huntsman really didn’t expect that with Luo Ran’s potholed spiritual strength, he could grit his teeth and resist his spiritual attack after being so badly injured, which even many Alphas couldn’t do. Let alone have the strength to hit him with a wooden barrel.

Luo Ran had already run away.

Huntsman took a deep breath. He couldn’t catch up with him. If Lucas was outside, the losses would outweigh the gains.

Huntsman took out a communication device with a blank expression.

“I’ve been found, prepare for evacuation.”

Then Huntsman jumped out the restroom window.

. . . . . .

“Luo Ran!”

Lucas strode into the restroom and saw Luo Ran running out with a pale face.

Lucas immediately embraced him. “What’s wrong?!”

Wrapped in the familiar tobacco scent, Luo Ran immediately stopped holding on, and leaned a bit exhaustedly against Lucas, gasping.

He held Lucas’s shoulders tightly, shaking uncontrollably.

Luo Ran was already so seriously injured when he was violently attacked, so he naturally had an episode.

Lucas’s face sank immediately, and he said, “Who was it.”

“Hunt……” Luo Ran tried to speak, but was stunned by the pain in his head and couldn’t get the words out. He took a gasp of cold air.

“Luo Ran, don’t be afraid.” Lucas immediately pressed Luo Ran into his arms, saying in a low voice, “The pain will be gone right away.”

Lucas pressed the back of Luo Ran’s head, and Luo Ran felt his head tilt against Lucas’s chest. His entire body was wrapped in tobacco-scented pheromones.

The pheromones calmed him like a gentle tide, slowly entering his sea of consciousness.

But Luo Ran was so badly injured that he was still shaking all over.

Lucas held him and walked to the corner with Luo Ran, hiding together behind the curtains and potted plants.

“Luo Ran, the temporary mark has faded and has little effect.” Lucas said hoarsely, “I’ll give you another one.”

Lucas gently stroke the bump on the back of Luo Ran’s neck, his voice low and rough.

“Can I?”

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Sixty-One << Table of Contents >> Chapter Sixty-Three

Liu Xian’an had not yet removed his disguise at this time. With such a simple and resolute face, no matter what he did, he had a sense of integrity and naturally would not cause people to have any undue associations. Moreover, after hearing the words, “Your Highness,” the common people were shocked, as if they had seen a ghost. They all knelt on the ground, trembling and not daring to speak, let alone watch the two embrace each other.

So Gao Lin was the only one whose eyes hurt.

Liang Shu gently supported Liu Xian’an. Seeing that he was not injured, he turned around and looked under the trees. The guards had already smashed the military advisor to pieces. He was gasping for breath, and his head was like a pig’s. Liu Xian’an said: “Before the prince broke through the city, this man was eager to kill the common people. He didn’t join the battle or run away, but led troops to search the mountains overnight, and still tried to kill people. His behavior was truly abnormal.”

Liang Shu understood the meaning of his words and ordered two guards to step forward. They slashed open the military advisor’s shirt and took a look, and there was indeed a Baifu Sect tattoo. The cult took advantage of natural disasters, used dirty officials, and then coerced the refugees to stir up the entire Bai River Basin into a miasma. This sort of thing was not uncommon. Liang Shu said: “Take him away, and question him thoroughly.”

“Yes!” Gao Lin motioned for the guards to accompany him. Liu Xian’an also asked A-Ning to follow and stop the cultist’s bleeding first, lest he die in the middle of interrogation.

The people at the scene still did not dare to raise their heads, and until they were pulled up by the Yan army, they felt that their lives were not destined to be long. Liu Xian’an said loudly: “The war is over. Everyone, don’t continue to stand here in the wind, go home and rest!”

It was over. Hearing these words, everyone felt like they were in a dream, because before that, they had anxiously awaited the battle for many days, and all of them were slightly delirious. The torches formed a sea of fire as the Yan army led them home, and until then, only the boldest dared to secretly raise their heads and take a look at His Legendary Royal Highness Xiao Wang.

He was not vicious, and didn’t have a blue face and fangs. On the contrary, he was young and handsome. His eyes were like stars, and he wore silver battle armor, holding a long sword dripping with blood. His eyes were very gentle, and seemed to be smiling as he looked at the little doctor in front of him.

Liu Xian’an’s face was uncomfortable under the mask, and he kept reaching up to fiddle with it. Liang Shu groped behind his ears for a long time before carefully peeling off the whole sheet, and rubbed the flushed skin with the backs of his fingers: “Go back and get some medicine for yourself.”

“All right.” Liu Xian’an turned back and looked at the common people again. Most of them had left, and only Miao Changqing was still standing there with his remaining subordinates. And Lao Miao was obviously startled by the little doctor who had removed his mask, staring hard at him. Liang Shu noticed this and asked, “ Who is this person?”

“……Miao Changqing is also Huang Wangxiang’s subordinate,” Liu Xian’an said, “But he has always been protecting the common people, and he is not the same as Yuan Zong.”

“The Imperial court must also take this person away first, and cannot just let him go,” Liang Shu said. “After the truth comes to light, if he is truly meritorious, he will be punished lightly.”

“All right.” Liu Xian’an was a little anxious, and whispered, “But Uncle Miao’s legs and feet are inconvenient, and he can’t bear the humidity, so can he not be locked up in prison?”

Liang Shu ordered his soldiers to find an empty house in the city to temporarily detain Miao Changqing and his subordinates. Liu Xian’an also entered the city and first comforted Miao Changqing with a few words, and then found a place to take a nap. After waking up, he ran to the camp outside the city to help bandage the wounded soldiers, and went on like this for three days without even seeing Liang Shu’s face.

Until the evening of the fourth day, after changing the medicine for the last wounded soldier, he was dizzy from exhaustion and didn’t even want to go back to his residence. He walked softly to a quiet place and washed hastily with spring water before sitting down on the ground and falling asleep in an instant. He didn’t even have the strength to dream a little dream. The gates of the three thousand worlds were tightly locked, and there was a plaque saying visitors were not being accepted, but there were still people who insisted on squeezing in.

There was a familiar scent of sandalwood in the air. Liu Xian’an felt that this person was really bothersome, ah, so he told him loudly: “I’m closed today too!”

Liang Shu took off his cloak and wrapped it around his cool body. Putting his hands around his shoulders, he half-knelt and asked with his head tilted to the side: “Your words are vague, what are you mumbling about?”

Lui Xian’an slept soundly, and when he didn’t want to wake up, he wouldn’t wake up even if the sky collapsed. Liang Shu didn’t ask any more questions. He just picked him up and brought him to the camp, and put him on his bed, trying to let him lie down more comfortably. The army was practical when it marched and fought, but that meant there was no big mahogany bed. There was only a hard, narrow plank bed without several layers of cushioning, so it was not very comfortable. In his dreams, Second Young Master Liu felt that he was lying on a pile of rubble. He frowned and thought, why did I find such a terrible place? So he forced himself to get up, and without opening his eyes, he walked elsewhere.

Liang Shu was ready to leave, and when he heard the movement, he turned around just in time to catch the warm, charming person who rushed towards him. Caught off guard, he couldn’t laugh nor cry. He made a sound of annoyance and didn’t know if this person was awake or asleep: “Why do you still have a sleepwalking problem?”

Liu Xian’an couldn’t hear him at all. He stepped on the ground softly with his bare feet and hung his arms around Liang Shu’s shoulders, pressing his entire weight over in a sleepy, drunken posture. It was the kind of drunk after drinking poor quality wine.

Liang Shu had no choice but to pick him up and go back to the bed, but Liu Xian’an refused to let go. In the dream, he found the most comfortable position and curled up like a kitten in its nest. Liang Shu half leaned against the head of the bed, stretching out his hand to reach the blanket on one side and cover him. His beloved’s breathing was so close to his ear. Liang Shu caressed his black hair with his palm and played with his earlobe with his fingers. He gathered that messy hair to reveal a smooth, pale cheek, leaned in slightly, and planted a kiss there.

Taking advantage of people’s sleep, the ethics of a martial artist could not be spoken of.

But in fact, Second Young Master Liu was also taking advantage of sleep as he focused on watching a person bathe in his dream. It may be because the sandalwood aroma in the air was so obvious, so His Royal Highness Xiao Wang snuck into the closed Three Thousand Worlds. He soaked in hot spring filled with white mist, his upper body as strong and firm as ever, but there were many old and new scars.

Liu Xian’an said: “Let me give the prince some medicine.”

Liang Shu stretched out his hand: “Then you come down.”

Liu Xian’an stood up and walked into the hot spring, but his foot missed, and he fell forward. He struggled and panicked in his dream, but Liang Shu in reality hugged him tight and patted him comfortingly: “Having a nightmare?”

And His Royal Highness Xiao Wang in the Three Thousand Worlds also reached out to catch him. Slightly hot water splashed everywhere. Liu Xian’an’s face was a little red from the heat, thinking in his heart, this isn’t a nightmare, it’s actually quite good. And the scene was also very romantic, with pink and white petals floating in the sky like snow.

They fluttered all night and filled up the entire hot spring, but the Sleeping Immortal was still unwilling to wake up. In the end, A-Ning shouted and the dream was shattered. Liu Xian’an opened his eyes amongst the shadows of butterflies fluttering around, and responded perfunctorily. Stretching again, he turned around and wrapped himself in the blanket to continue sleeping.

“Young Master, Young Master!” A-Ning refused to comply, and grabbed the blanket, shaking it back and forth. “This is the prince’s big tent, let’s go back to the city and sleep.”

As a result, Liu Xian’an sat up with a whoosh.

A-Ning was taken aback: “Young Master, you……why did you wake up so soon this time? I’m not ready yet.”

Liu Xian’an turned his head to look around, asking in surprise: “Why am I sleeping here?”

A-Ning was not surprised. Perhaps the young master fell asleep on the grass again, and was simply brought back by the prince.

“Where is the prince?”

“Just outside. I ran into him just now, and he was talking with Lieutenant General Gao. They’re probably talking about the military situation, the young master can come wash up first.”

Liu Xian’an hurriedly wiped his face and rinsed his mouth, then stuck his head out of the big tent.

Gao Lin was analyzing straightforwardly at this time: “Second Young Master Liu fell asleep in the wild, but was stumbled upon by the prince. It’s not the same as sharing the same bed. Anyway, I didn’t see anything half ambiguous, so you can’t be too happy about this matter so early.”

Liang Shu glanced at him from the corner of his eye with a dignified expression: “Shut up! Go do your work!”

He kicked the man away and adjusted his expression again. It wasn’t until a “Your Highness” sounded behind him that he turned around calmly and gracefully.

It was contrived, but useful, because even A-Ning whispered “wow,” feeling that His Royal Highness Xiao Wang looked extraordinarily luxurious under the rising sun, his entire body gleaming. Liu Xian’an stepped forward, and Liang Shu asked: “You’re awake?”

Liu Xian’an looked at him doubtfully: “What is wrong with the prince’s neck?”

Liang Shu said: “It’s stiff.”

Liu Xian’an immediately felt guilty: “Oh.”

“Oh?” Liang Shu leaned over slightly with a half-smile. “You took my bed, why don’t you say thank you?”

Liu Xian’an thought, because I also applied medicine for you all night in my dreams, and my arms were so sore that I couldn’t lift them up. As for why he continued to persist when they were sore, it might be because it was the vocation of a doctor to save lives and heal the wounded. In any case, it must have nothing to do with the feel of His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s chest muscles.

It’s fine, it’s okay.

He said: “Then I’ll massage it for the prince.”

Liang Shu turned his head to the side: “Come.”

Liu Xian’an found his tense tendons and pressed them hard. Liang Shu’s smile froze on his face. He just felt his brain make a buzzing sound and his qi instantly stagnated. His breath cut off for a moment, and after a long time, he choked out a word in a shaking voice: “You……”

Liu Xian’an quickly withdrew his hands: “Done.”

Done was done, so done that it was not even half tender, and let the soldiers next to them witness the classic handed-down scene of their prince being pressed to tears while still alive. Liang Shu grabbed his face: “Why are you doctors so barbaric?”

Liu Xian’an defended: “In any case, it’s cured.”

“Can’t you be a little gentler?”

“……That is also possible.”

In the dream, he was very gentle, so gentle that even Liu Xian’an felt that it was a bit too much. There seemed to be no doctor like this in the world, but on the other hand, he felt that he was already dreaming, so what was the point of the dream? Since in this world, immortals could pluck the sun and moon, sages could ride the waves, and even white cranes could lift three thousand pavilions and fly through the sky, couldn’t he create a new method of treatment?

Of course he could.

As a result, the distance between the two became closer and closer. Wrapped in the hot, humid mist of the hot spring, their hearts pattered in a tangle.

Liang Shu asked: “What are you thinking about?”

Liu Xian’an returned to his senses: “Nothing, it’s nothing. I just woke up and I’m a little dizzy.”

Liang Shu led him around the camp again. The soldier at his side was puzzled, so he whispered to the brother next to him: “Why did our prince change into such grand, beautiful clothes today? Is something important going to happen, or is the Emperor coming?”

“The Emperor is in the capital, how could he come to Sanshui City?” The other person was also puzzled.

A group of recruits discussed together for a long time, but couldn’t come up with a reason to explain this sudden luxury.

They were just very, very bemused.

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Forty-Nine << Table of Contents >> Chapter Fifty-One

There was the sound of the iron gate opening and shutting outside the window.

Pei Yi’s mind couldn’t help but shift from the group chat interface. He got up and peered out — a familiar black car drove to the inner courtyard of the villa, then toward the garage.

Pei Yi checked the time in the lower right corner of the computer and raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Back before five o’clock?

Why did Bo Yueming get off work so early today?

Pei Yi hurriedly ended the work chat with Li Yuan and crew, and turned off the computer before leaving the room to go downstairs.

Uncle Kai, who was residing on the first floor, opened the door in a timely manner. Bo Yueming and Lin Zhong walked inside first, followed by two people behind them—

It was the driver Lao Zhang, and a young man on crutches who was being helped along by him.

Although there was still a distance between them, Pei Yi on the stairs recognized the other party right away. It was Qiao Dong, who they accidentally met in the parking lot that night.

Pei Yi had originally thought the two of them wouldn’t have a chance to meet again, but now the other party had been brought home by Bo Yueming? He approached curiously, staring right at Qiao Dong.

When meeting again after more than a month, Qiao Dong’s cheeks were still thin, but there was obviously a little more color to them. His long bangs had been cut short, revealing a pair of good-looking eyes.

Other than the broken left leg, the other bruises and abrasions on his exposed hands and feet had pretty much healed.

“…….”

Qiao Dong looked at Pei Yi, lacking the proudness and stubbornness of when they first met, and ducked his head unconsciously.

Uncle Kai noticed Pei Yi following behind, and was curious. “Little Sir, why did you come down?”

Pei Yi looked at Bo Yueming, who had suddenly brought someone home, and called out, “Er-ge.”

He didn’t mean to accuse him of anything, he just didn’t understand.

Hearing this soft and delicate address, Bo Yueming seemed to fear that Pei Yi would misunderstand him, so he gave a rare muffled cough. 

Lin Zhong immediately understood. “Little Sir, Uncle Kai, Qiao Dong received a threatening phone call today. He has no place to go for the time being, so we brought him back first to ask about the situation.”

Bo Yueming knew that Pei Yi would understand, so he said with seeming casualness, “Let’s talk about it in the living room, I’m also uncertain.”

If Pei Yi didn’t answer, that meant he acquiesced.

In fact, he was quite curious about Qiao Dong’s secrets and grievances, and it would be nice to hear his story.

. . . . . .

The group of people sat down in the living room.

Uncle Kai thoughtfully delivered corresponding drinks to everyone, and rushed to the kitchen without pause to work on dinner. There were many people eating tonight, so more needed to be prepared.

Pei Yi stared intently at Qiao Dong who was sitting alone, and became even more curious.

Bo Yueming snuck a peek at the curious kitten beside him while he drank his coffee, and after seeing the cute little mole on the back of his neck—

He was inexplicably itchy, but restrained himself.

Bo Yueming shifted his gaze hidden under the lenses, and said softly, “Qiao Dong, if you still refuse to tell the truth at this point, then no one can help you.”

“…….”

Qiao Dong unconsciously clenched the glass of water in his hands.

Even though Bo Yueming didn’t specifically look at him when speaking, he still felt the other person’s powerful aura.

Qiao Dong knew that only Bo Yueming had the ability to seek justice for him.

As soon as he received the threatening phone call today, he contacted the other party’s assistant, Lin Zhong. After weighing the pros and cons, he wanted to confess everything and ask the other party for help.

Taking advantage of the silence, Bo Yueming cut straight to the point. “What is the relationship between Song Dazhi and Zhao Hui?”

“You!”

Qiao Dong exclaimed in astonishment, but then restrained himself. “How do you know about them?”

Pei Yi thought to himself, isn’t it simple?

There was no impenetrable wall in this world. Let alone a company as big as the Shuntian Group, it was easy to pick up clues if one investigated deeply.

Sure enough, Lin Zhong gave an explanation of the investigation following Bo Yueming, “We learned that your brother Zhao Hui passed away more than three months ago, and five months ago, Song Dazhi accidentally fell to his death on the construction site.”

Two people died in succession?

Were they both related to the Shuntian Group?

Pei Yi became more and more curious about the twists and turns. Qiao Dong, who was sitting diagonally opposite, finally sorted out his emotions and said frankly, “Zhao Hui was my half-brother, eight years older than me. He used to be a construction contractor, and led seventy or eighty construction workers.”

Song Dazhi was one of the workers Zhao Hui led.

For a large enterprise such as Shuntian Group, once a real estate project was launched, in addition to their own core construction team, a large number of basic chores and rough work would be outsourced to the contract team.

Qiao Dong’s older brother, Zhao Hui, was one of the contract teams who heard the news and came to work.

Qiao Dong choked up and swallowed, continuing, “My brother and the others used to work on a construction site in Shencheng.”

“At the beginning of this year, he found out that the big company in Wencheng had a longer construction period and paid more, so he asked to be hired as one of the outsourced teams of Shuntian Group.”

Half a year ago, Zhao Hui led his workers to participate in the construction and development of “Jiu Metro,” which was the largest real estate project of Shuntian Group in the past two years.

But after a month and a half, an accident happened in the team.

The steel parts on the high-altitude scaffolding suddenly loosened. As a result, Song Dazhi accidentally fell, and the safety rope tied to him did not play its role of stopping him, but broke directly in response.

If a person fell from a ten story building, they would soon die, and it would not help if he was sent to the hospital for treatment.

“As the contractor, my brother naturally took responsibility. He secretly took the safety equipment on the construction site to inspect it, and it was found that the group cut corners with the material. The parts, helmets, and aerial work ropes used were all mixed with inferior products.”

“He took Song Dazhi’s family members to the general manager of the construction site to confront him. The other party played nice at the beginning and spoke very sincerely, but in the end only offered 200,000 yuan in compensation as a hush-up fee.”

That was a human life, ah! Just this little money and they were sent away?

The family members naturally refused, but the general manager avoided contact with them, so they could only go tearfully to Zhao Hui.

“Song Dazhi was the person who had traveled far and wide with my brother for the longest time. My brother has always been loyal and obstinate, so there were many workers who followed him. He promised that the Song family would definitely seek justice and real compensation.”

Later, Zhao Hui learned—

The chief person in charge of Jiu Metro real estate was Chen Shun’s son-in-law, and the other party had indeed privately reported high prices for safety equipment and masqueraded shoddy ones as new.

“The son-in-law is not kind, and is greedy for the group’s money. My brother thought about it, and had no choice but to wait at the gate of Shuntian Group with the evidence he had found, and stopped Chen Shun to tell him everything.”

“Chen Shun was angry at first, and said that he would take care of everything within three days.”

Zhao Hui thought that the boss of such a huge business would not renege on his debts, but three days later, not only did he not receive answers from the other party, he was arrested by the police for the unwarranted charges of “stealing construction site materials” and “extortion.”

Lin Zhong frowned. “What?!”

The eyes of Bo Yueming and Pei Yi flickered, and they simultaneously felt extreme disgust—

In many cases, the confrontation between those at the top and those at the bottom was tantamount to an ant meeting an elephant!

What’s more, one was his own relative and the other was a construction site employee, so who would Chen Shun help? In fact, it was obvious, but this way of handling it was too inappropriate!

“My brother had originally cited evidence to the police and asked Song Dazhi’s family to testify, but!”

Qiao Dong took a deep breath, and the corners of his eyes once again became red with unwillingness. “But on the other hand, they said that the compensation from Shuntian Group was in place from the beginning, and it was my brother who wanted to use this incident to extort another sum of money!”

“……..”

Driver Lao Zhang and Lin Zhong looked at each other, not having expected this sort of result. It was obvious that the Song family was dissatisfied with the compensation at the beginning, so why did they become the accused in the end?

Bo Yueming saw it clearly. “The Song family was settled by Chen Shun and the others?”

Pei Yi agreed with this guess.

In the end, compared to Zhao Hui, who had earnest motives, Song Dazhi’s family members should be easier to handle.

People could not be resurrected after death, but the reality of suffering was right in front of them. How many people were willing to give up money and fight meaninglessly against the powerful?

People’s hearts were complicated and unpredictable.

The Song family were not in the wrong to keep things quiet, but they helped the Shuntian Group pour dirty water on Zhao Hui, which really violated the moral bottom line.

“I came here to help after hearing my pregnant sister-in-law cry and say these things.”

Although they were half-brothers, the relationship between the two had always been very good. Zhao Hui had the responsibility of the eldest brother and son. He knew that his younger brother did well in school, so he took over his father’s responsibilities since he was a child and made money for his younger brother’s education.

Qiao Dong respected and admired his older brother from the bottom of his heart.

“My brother was detained for fourteen days and fined a lot of money before he was released. My sister-in-law and I originally wanted to set up a table of delicious food and wine to help him get rid of his bad luck, but when we came back from the market, we found my brother unconscious in a pool of blood.”

Later, after investigation, it was found that—

Two gangsters who claimed to be workmates broke into the rental house and had an argument with Zhao Hui. The back of his head was hit at a fatal point after a struggle, and he lost so much blood that he couldn’t be saved in the end.

Due to her husband’s death, Qiao Dong’s sister-in-law became so emotional that she had a miscarriage. Not only did she fail to keep the child, but she also lost the ability to become a mother again.

Father Qiao had married into the Zhao family when he was young, so Zhao Hui took the surname of his deceased mother. Father Qiao raised Zhao Hui until he was seven years old before marrying Qiao Dong’s mother and having a child.

The eldest son was getting married and starting a business, and the younger son was about to graduate and earn money. Just when everything was looking better, this sort of bad news happened. Qiao Dong’s father had a heart attack and collapsed to the ground, dying two days later.

“I had just graduated from university, and my eldest brother was the pillar of the family. Without that pillar, the sky collapsed.” Qiao Dong quickly wiped away his tears, his hatred undiminished.

Although the two gangsters were caught by the police, due to the lack of evidence and their lawyers, they were only sentenced to three years for “manslaughter,” and the case was closed some time ago.

Qiao Dong was no fool. He knew that even if it was manslaughter, they were sent by Chen Shun to threaten Zhao Hui!

Bo Yueming connected everything together. “So, you secretly followed Chen Shun? You blocked him in the underground parking lot on impulse?”

“…….”

Qiao Dong silently acquiesced.

After taking care of his brother and father’s funerals, he handed over all the family money to his sister-in-law, then returned to Wencheng alone to seek justice.

“Chen Shun acted guilty. As soon as he heard that I was Zhao Hui’s younger brother, he immediately called the security guards! The threatening phone call this morning must have been made by him! He knows I haven’t left Wencheng yet, and is afraid that I’ll cause trouble again!”

Pei Yi frowned for a moment, and thought to himself—

Chen Shun was like a local snake in Wencheng, and after the beating in the parking lot, he made a threatening phone call. So what would happen next?

Qiao Dong disregarded his left leg, which was still recovering, and got up to kneel down. “Mr. Bo! I know your identity is not simple! Please help me! I beg you!”

Lao Zhang next to him saw this and quickly stopped him. “Hey, your leg injury still isn’t healed!”

Bo Yueming pretended not to see their tugging, and took a steady sip of coffee. “I asked Lin Zhong and Lao Zhang to bring you back today because it is relatively safe here, so Chen Shun won’t dare to do anything for a while.”

“From today onwards, you will stay here to continue to recuperate. Before I make up my mind to deal with Chen Shun, you are not allowed to act rashly.” Bo Yueming set the cup back on the cup holder. “Of course, if you don’t trust me, you can leave at any time.”

Qiao Dong hastily nodded. “I, I trust you! I’ll listen to Mr. Bo!”

When he was in the parking lot, he suspected that Bo Yueming and his group were friends with Chen Shun, and was extra vigilant because of the “stress reaction” after getting injured.

After a month of observation and thought, he had already decided—

Even if Bo Yueming and the others took care of him with “ulterior motives,” he was also willing to be used as long as Chen Shun could get his retribution in the end and Shuntian Group could collapse!

After hearing what happened to Qiao Dong, Lao Zhang felt sorry for the family. “Mr. Bo, which room should Qiao Dong stay in? His small bag of luggage is still in the trunk of the car.”

The one master bedroom and three other bedrooms in this villa were fully occupied. As for Lao Zhang, because he was a native of Wencheng, he lived at his own home every day.

Where would he stay?

Bo Yueming glanced at Pei Yi beside him from the corner of his eye.

At the same time, the silent Pei Yi felt something subtle. Before Bo Yueming could speak, he played the fool and raised his hand. “Me!”

Thinking about it carefully, Qiao Dong didn’t know the four of them very well, so it would be more comfortable for him to stay in a room alone.

But Uncle Kai and Lin Zhong who resided downstairs were too different in age, and had many things to do every day, so it was impossible to share a room with them.

As for the “head of the family,” Bo Yueming? That was even more impossible.

In Pei Yi’s case, he could either share with Qiao Dong, or give up the bedroom on the second floor and then use their “marriage” relationship to live in the master bedroom with Bo Yueming again. Anyway, it would not be the first time they slept together.

But when Pei Yi thought of his dishonest sleeping habits, and thought that he would hold Bo Yueming tightly in his arms while asleep, the heat went to his head again and his heartstrings tensed.

He swallowed and looked at Bo Yueming, adding, “I, I live with him!”

Anyway, the two were about the same age. One wanted to play the fool at home and one wanted to rest at home.

“…….”

Bo Yueming had originally planned to take this opportunity to let Pei Yi move back into the master bedroom, but didn’t expect the other party to think and react faster than him.

He would rather stay with the unfamiliar Qiao Dong than sleep with him?

Bo Yueming looked at Pei Yi playing the fool, and there was a trace of panic in his eyes as he thought of the other party wrapping his arms and legs around Qiao Dong in his sleep—

He ground his molars unnoticeably and refused. “That won’t work.”

Pei Yi sucked in a light breath. “W-why?”

Bo Yueming made sure to kill with one blow, “You sleep dishonestly. What if you pester Qiao Dong in the middle of the night and press on his leg wound?”

“…….”

This was reasonable and could not be refuted.

Pei Yi closed up like a gourd on the spot, his cheeks flushed.

Qiao Dong was unsure of the relationship between Bo Yueming and Pei Yi, but he was accustomed to paying attention to words and feelings—

Just now when Pei Yi said that he would bring him to stay in his room, Bo Yueming’s jaw tensed instantly, and a trace of sourness flashed across his face. Something was very wrong!

Qiao Dong had just arrived, so how could he dare ask for so much, ah? He hastened to say, “M-Mr. Bo, you don’t need to make room for me, I’ll just sleep on the sofa!”

He paused for a moment, then took another step back. “It’s fine to sleep on the floor too!”

Lin Zhong, who was also paying attention, quickly said, “Mr. Bo, Qiao Dong and I can sleep in the same room, right? Recently, I’ve been following you out early and returning late due to the bidding. I don’t stay at home much, so it won’t delay Qiao Dong’s rest during the day.”

“And staying on the first floor, it will be more convenient to call Uncle Kai for help.”

Bo Yueming nodded his head.

To be honest, even if Pei Yi agreed to move back to the master bedroom, he would not want Qiao Dong to stay in Pei Yi’s room.

Seeing as Bo Yueming had agreed, Qiao Dong quickly cast a grateful look at Lin Zhong for being willing to take him in. “Thank you, Brother Lin.”

“You’re welcome. Come on, I’ll help you back to the room,” Lin Zhong said, and gave the driver Lao Zhang another look. “Lao Zhang, go and bring Qiao Dong’s luggage.”

Lao Zhang was also a sensible person, so he got up quickly and left.

Less than half a minute later.

Only Bo Yueming and Pei Yi were left in the living room.

Pei Yi hadn’t been alone with Bo Yueming for a long time, and before he knew it, he felt a little uncomfortable. He put the milk he was drinking back on the coffee table, and tried to escape when he saw the right moment.

In the next second, Bo Yueming “felt around” and grasped his wrist. “Where are you going?”

“…….”

Was this the ability of a villain?

Why was his instinct to catch people so strong when his eyes hadn’t even healed yet?

Pei Yi complained from the bottom of his heart, and grumbled on the surface, “I’m sleepy.”

He spent the whole afternoon clacking away at his keyboard, and listened to Qiao Dong’s story for so long, so he was indeed a little tired.

Bo Yueming relaxed his tone and requested, “It’s time to eat. Eat before resting.”

The tension on his wrist did not relax.

Bo Yueming continued, “Pei Yi, I have something to ask you.”

Uncomprehending, Pei Yi made an airy sound to express his doubt.

Bo Yueming moved closer. “You don’t want to sleep with me?”

“…….”

Pei Yi got stuck.

What kind of problem was this, ah?

Besides, when the word “sleep” came out of Bo Yueming’s mouth, why did it feel strangely astringent?

Pei Yi pretended to be confused. “Er-ge?”

Bo Yueming chose to be more specific. “It’s not just now. That morning, you sneaked back to your room without saying a word.”

“…….”

The scene of that morning once again flashed through Pei Yi’s mind. The tips of their noses rubbing lightly, their breaths intertwined, lips just about to kiss. The memory made his palms sweat.

Pei Yi tried to get those pictures out of his mind, and didn’t know if he was playing the fool or really stuttering. “N-no, I sleep, don’t behave, not good.”

Right after saying this, Pei Yi wanted to bite his own tongue—

It was strange. He was clearly able to deal with everyone calmly, but everything changed when he encountered Bo Yueming. It was an indescribable feeling.

Perhaps he really was dazzled by the face in front of him.

Bo Yueming pretended not to see, and instead followed the sound of Pei Yi’s breathing to say, “Who says you don’t behave?”

His breathing became unbalanced again, and Pei Yi swallowed unconsciously.

Bo Yueming sensed his nervousness, but the desire to tease the kitten remained undiminished. “You sleep in my arms every night, and there is never a time when you are not well-behaved.”

Never…..a time…..he was not well-behaved?

Pei Yi’s breath shook, and he inwardly pondered the meaning of the second half of the sentence.

His heart was wreathed in tension, beating faster and harder, making him unable to think at all.

Pei Yi suddenly stood up from the sofa and stared at Bo Yueming sitting there. Then he blinked unnaturally and ran away, playing the fool.

“…….”

Looking at his back as he fled in a hurry, Bo Yueming allowed himself to laugh a couple of times.

What could he do?

There was a kitten who was looking cuter and cuter.

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

Chapter Forty-Three <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Forty-Five