111. Name List

YiHan blushed hard as he shimmied on the spot. “It’s not that bad,” he murmured. “Mom went out with Madam Chen and the others to the spa, the mall or something.”

An “oh” escaped Yan Pei’s mouth. Her eyes beamed at YiHan like two bright lightbulbs as she asked, “Say, why are you all alone today? Why didn’t you leave the house with Mr Mu?”

“H-He has to attend a business meeting today,” YiHan said after clearing his throat. A red flush tinted his ears. “He’s not going to be at the office. Even if I go, there’d be nothing for me to do. So I didn’t.”

Her eyes scanned him up and down. At the sight of his unnatural sitting position and the hand sneakily massaging his waist, she let out a sly grin.

“I understand,” she drawled. “You’re not feeling well. Of course he couldn’t bear to let you run around after him. I see, I see.”

“I’m perfectly fine!” YiHan yelped, frazzled. He immediately snatched his hand away from his waist as if he were just burned. “That’s nonsense!”

“Don’t try to hide it from me,” she shuffled closer and whispered into his ear. “You can’t cheat my eyes. I could tell early on what’s going on between you and Mr Mu.”

“You…” YiHan’s body froze as blood seeped from his face.

“Don’t worry,” she hurriedly added. “Let me tell you a secret. I’m a fujoshi. I really really support you guys. Really. Look into my eyes. They’re so sincere.” She blinked her two wide, lively eyes. They shimmered and shined.

“What’s a fujoshi?” YiHan asked, confusion plastered all over his face.

“You don’t know?” Yan Pei gasped in shock. She grabbed YiHan by the hand, looked up with a wide grin, and continued, “Sisters, I have been blessed. I’ve caught a pure and innocent…ahem…boy.”

She looked back down at YiHan and opened her mouth to explain, then paused. She didn’t think she could properly explain what it truly meant to be a “fujoshi”. Thus, she took out her phone and, with a few swipes, she opened up her precious stash.

“Come, come,” she said. “Look at this, YiHan. You’ll know just what kind of group I hand out with.”

YiHan leaned over to look at her phone. It was a comic, a rather dirty one.

“I see,” YiHan said after briefly clearing his throat. “I know a lot of girls like this but I didn’t know what the name was.”

“That’s it,” she said with a gleeful slap to his shoulder. “There are so many gay couples nowadays and fujoshis are everywhere. We’re bigger than you could’ve ever imagined. How could you not know? Say, why are you afraid of coming out of the closet? Are your parents against it?”

“I don’t know if they’ll agree to it,” YiHan replied with downcast eyes. “I don’t want to hurt them. I’ll bring it up to them sometime later.”

“True,” she agreed, nodding. “There are still a lot of people who can’t accept it, especially the older generation. Just like my uncle and grandfather. They’re still against my brother’s relationship. There was even a big fight. My brother stayed strong though. It’s why they got married. They don’t come to the family mansion much anymore. You should go slow with something like this.”

“Your brother is an independent and decisive man,” YiHan moaned. “Unlike me. I still don’t know how I’ll tell them.”

“My brother definitely is a decisive one,” she pouted. “He’s also a schemer. He came out of the closet, got beaten up by my uncle and dragged his injured body over to his lover’s bookshop. Zhang-ge fell for his ruse. That’s the only reason my brother nabbed himself a lover.”

YiHan recalled the brief glimpses he had of Yan Hui. No matter what, he couldn’t imagine the ever stern and refined Yan Hui he knew acting pitiful.

“How did you know all this?” YiHan couldn’t hold back from chuckling.

“Don’t underestimate the gay-dar of a fujoshi,” she proudly proclaimed. “I knew he felt something for Zhang-ge early on. Thus, I became close friends with Zhang-ge. Also, I just so happened to be there that day. I watched Yan Hui get beaten up and run into his car. I was afraid he might do something due to his bad mood, so I followed him all the way to Zhang-ge’s bookshop. I saw him run straight into Zhang-ge’s embrace. He acted so weak and feeble that he nearly crashed into a pole! The next day, I went to the bookshop and Zhang-ge was acting exactly how you’re acting now. No matter how he sat, he’d be uncomfortable. Every once in a while, he’d massage his back and waist.”

YiHan: Pfft!

“But my brother is just so mean,” she pouted. “When he found out Zhang-ge kept talking with me, he hid Zhang-ge away. He treats me like a thief! I’m an adorable and lovable little girl. As if I could eat Zhang-ge?”

YiHan: Ahem…

She glanced at him and continued, “So you just plan on staying home all day long? Don’t you find that boring? Why don’t we go out and play?”

“There’s nothing I can do,” YiHan helplessly responded. “The matter from before hasn’t completely settled yet. JingYuan said it’s not safe for me to go out alone. You might even get dragged into it because of me.”

“Just who did it?” Pei furiously spat out. “Who’d be so evil as to do something like that to a cute young boy like you? If I find them, I’d beat them up until all of their teeth are on the floor!”

“I know you’re worried about me, but can you not describe me as a ‘cute young boy’? I’m getting goosebumps,”  YiHan sighed.

“But you are one. I’m telling the truth,” Pei said, confused. “Ah, right. I heard this case was already closed?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Isn’t the mastermind still in hiding?” she glumly asked. “Why did they close it?”

“There’s no helping it. This case caused too big of a ruckus. It won’t be good for anyone for the case to drag on longer. They’re now secretly looking into it. You must keep it a secret too.”

“Of course,” she solemnly said. “I wouldn’t say anything even if threatened with death! I’ll say nothing even to my parents and grandfather!”

“Grandpa Yan knows of this,” YiHan laughed. “If not for him, the application to continue the investigation in secret wouldn’t have been approved so quickly.”

“Oh, I see. Then again, my grandfather really likes you. When I was visiting him yesterday, he kept going on about you.”

“Grandpa Yan treats me very well,” YiHan said with a little smile.

By this point, Yan Pei couldn’t hold back from reaching out to poke YiHan’s dimples.

“So you can’t leave the house for the time being?” she asked. “Won’t you be bored to death?”

“Not really,” YiHan replied. “JingYuan’s worried about me and he’s always by my side. How could I be bored? And just last week, I went to have grilled skewers with JingYuan, Fang Yi and all. Oh. Fang Yi is the officer in charge of my case. He’s a good, passionate man.”

Her eyes shone bright at the mention of food. “Grilled skewers? Where? Was it nice?”

“It’s quite nice,” YiHan said without hesitating. “It’s on HuaXi road. What was the name again? I forgot.”

“How could you forget about something so important?” she asked in disappointment.

“I-Is it very important?” YiHan blinked back at her.

“Of course! Food is a human necessity! It’s vital!” Yan Pei glared at him.

“It’s fine,” YiHan said after a pause to think. “Fang Yi often go there. He should know. I can call and ask.”

“Then, ask him,” she urged. “I’ll go ask a few friends out to try it out later.”

YiHan had no choice but to call Fang Yi right then and there.

“YiHan? Are you asking about the case’s progress?” Fang Yi asked upon picking up.

“No,” YiHan replied. “I just wanted to ask you about the name of the shop we ate at last time. What was it? I forgot.”

“Huh?” Fang Yi was taken aback. “The shop?”

“Yeah,” YiHan said. “A friend of mine wants to go try it out.”

“I see.” Fang Yi’s smile could be heard through the phone. “The shop’s called ‘Grill Some Skewers’. It’s a bit uncreative but it’s easy to find a table there and it’s quite popular in the area.”

“It’s called ‘Grill Some Skewers’,” YiHan said to Yan Pei after hanging up.

“Okay,” she happily replied, her hands clapping in joy. “I’ll go ask my friends out now. Bye!”

By the time the last word reached YiHan’s ears, she had already left the house, as fast as if a hurricane had swept her away.

The word “hey” was still unfurling from YiHan’s throat when the front door closed. He didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. Just then, his phone rang. He looked down. It was Jiang Hua. His hands rushed to accept the call.

“Jiang-ge,” he greeted.

“YiHan,” said the gentle voice that was Jiang Hua’s. “I’ve sent the name list you wanted to your inbox. It should be everyone. Please look it over first.”

“Okay. Thank you, Jiang-ge! I’ll treat you to a meal sometime later!”

“Hehe,” Jiang Hua chuckled. “What does Lil YiHan plan on treating me to?”

YiHan nearly said “Grill Some Skewers” but, thankfully, he stopped that in time.

“It’s my treat,” he said. “Of course it’d be whatever you like. How about…western?”

“You know I wouldn’t have western unless I needed to,” Jiang Hua replied in exasperation. “What do you want? Just tell me.”

“Well…” YiHan twisted the pillow in his arms as he smiled. “I’ve gotten to know of a place that makes really good ‘Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’. Why don’t we go try it?”

“Okay,” Jiang Hua said.

“When are you free?” YiHan’s eyes were squinting from how big his smile had grown.

“Hm,” Jiang Hua hummed as he looked through his calendar. “I can’t do the next few days. How about I call you back two days later?”

“Alright.”

As soon as YiHan ended the call, he eagerly took up his tablet and looked at his email inbox. As expected, there was a new document from Jiang Hua. He downloaded the file and looked through every single line in it.

It was a very long list. YiHan could tell Jiang Hua had put in a lot of effort. The information listed were also extremely detailed and properly organised. YiHan read through everything and again for another few more times. Finally, he locked onto three men.

One was named Li Mao. This was an employee of their company. His mother abandoned him and his father soon after giving birth to him. Raised by a drunkard, he didn’t have a happy childhood. His mentality was also rather extreme at times. The man had a mild grudge against all women, especially beautiful women. He paid a little too much attention to XueQing but he hadn’t done anything over the line yet.

Another name on the list was Tang JianPing. He’s a delivery boy for a dessert shop and a hardworking university student. His family was somewhat poor. As a person, his hatred and jealousy for the world was quite well-known. Once, a female employee at the office ordered some dessert from the shop he was working at. As he delivered the order, he just so happened to have seen XueQing. From then on, he’d try and break into XueQing’s office using the excuse of being there on a delivery. He’d been caught a few times already and he would always be thrown out by security guards. Young men these days were all rather oversensitive. This person was also quite radical in his mindset. It was hard to be sure he wouldn’t resent XueQing for being thrown out of the office. He might do something on impulse without thinking of the consequences.

The last name that caught YiHan’s attention was Wei Quan. He was once a security guard at the office.  He stopped XueQing in the middle of her path to publicly confess. Of course, he didn’t succeed. XueQing probably didn’t even know who he was. Later on, he was fired because he broke one of the company’s rules and he was found to have hidden his mental illness from the company.

Translator’s Notes:

Ge: Suffix for brother. Has the same uses as oppa (Korean) and nii-san (Japanese) aka for any and all older males who one is close to.

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall: Also known as Buddha’s Temptation and Buldojang (Korean). It’s a famous dish that was said to be quite hard to cook. It’s also a dish famous for its nutrition value that’s due to the different ingredients used – shark fin, abalone, quail eggs, mushrooms, pork knuckle, fish and more, cooked in rich wine (old rice wine). There are plenty of origin stories for this dish but the one I was told places its name as “smelling so heavenly that Buddha himself would jump over the wall for it”. Wikipedia’s entry is a little off though as no monks were involved. Merely scholars theorising and romanticising the scent.

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110. Everything’s Not Right!

“What did you say?” Tao Qi screeched. Her eyes were wide in disbelief.

“Can’t you understand human?” Li Sun scoffed impatiently. “How many times do I have to fucking tell you? Pack your things and get the fuck out!”

She couldn’t believe her ears. “Li Sun, you were the one who insisted I be with you in the first place. I’ve been by your side, slept with you, for so long. And now you want to kick me out?” Her brows knitted tightly together. She then put on a face as if she were holding back a well of tears and said, “Last night, you were still calling me your baby, your precious one! All of a sudden, you’d turn the other way just because! You must at least give me a reason why you’re kicking me out, right?”

Unwittingly, his heart sank and softened at the look on her face. However, the memory of Mu JingYuan’s dark fact coldly glaring at him made chills run down his spine. The gooey feeling that had just started growing vanished without a trace.

“Don’t try and act all pitiful,” he said, determination strong in his voice. “Even if you beg me on your knees, I wouldn’t ever take you back. Also, how dare you ask me why. You’re so talented at causing trouble that I can’t afford to want you! I’m warning you. It’s hard for me to protect myself already. It’s good enough that the fire hasn’t burned me. And you want me to keep you?”

She closed her eyes and suppressed the urge to claw his face off. “Just what happened?” she asked, doe eyed as she wiped her tears away. “Please tell me clearly who. I’m just a girl. Just who could I have angered?”

“How could you still ask?” he roared. The mere thought of what happened made fury burn through his veins. “You act so pure and innocent all the time but you’re just a gold digger! You won’t even budge an inch once you’ve got some money to set your eyes on. Take a look at yourself in the mirror first. Who are you? Who is he? You think you can curry favour with Little Master Bai? At the police station today, were you sneaking glances at him? Who in this whole city doesn’t know Little Master Bai is the apple of Mr Mu’s eye, his precious pearl? You actually dared to think of flirting with him under Mr Mu’s nose! You’re quite a bold one. It doesn’t matter if you’ve turned into a slut from how much I’ve played with you or if you’re a fricking angel. I wouldn’t dare to keep you after that! Hurry up and pack your things! Scram! Stop bothering me!”

He was already worried whether or not Mu JingYuan would let him go after how he offended Little Master Bai today. Then this woman happened. She just wouldn’t behave! That’s essentially adding fuel to the fire!

Tao Qi was stunned. “It was Mu JingYuan…” she murmured.

Li Sun had only taken her in not long ago. She still felt fresh to him. She also had a pretty face. Generally, playboys like him only care about looks. Her dazed look tugged at his heart. So what if he couldn’t bear to part with her? He didn’t dare let her stay.

“Yes,” he said with his mouth twitched to a side. “He personally said so. Don’t you feel honoured? Go, now. Don’t go causing any more trouble for me.”

“How can it be?” She was confused. “I am the protagonist. How could he do this to me? Is he jealous?”

Li Sun’s anger blazed brighter at how the woman still dared to keep blabbering nonsense. The tiny speck of hesitance and sympathy crumbled into dust. He raised a hand and slapped Tao Qi hard across the face.

“You can eat trash if you want to but you can’t go spouting rubbish,” he spat out. “Mr Mu’s matters are not something you can gossip about. If you dare go out and tell anyone about it and make them think you learned such nonsense from me, I’d get some men to gang rape you and kill you!”

Everyone might suspect there was something going on between Mu JingYuan and Bai YiHan (alright, those two had always been on a different channel), but no one was brave enough to say it. This woman really had no brains. If she ran out and blabbered all this nonsense for everyone to hear, they’d think she heard the ridiculous talk from hm. Mu JingYuan wouldn’t be the only going berserk then. Just the Bai family was enough to make him die in an unmarked grave in a snap. If this woman can’t control her mouth, then he can’t let her leave here alive and healthy.

Tao Qi stared at Li Sun, petrified at the dark cloud that loomed over him. She realised that he seriously meant what he’d just said. Once more, she was struck by how realistic life here was. The Li Sun before her wasn’t just the name of a flat character in a book. He’s real, a salivating rabid dog who could kill her with one bite.

From her two brief meetings with the male lead, Mu JingYuan wasn’t the scheming and gloomy yet passionate and fragile character he was in the novel. He was so strong and huge. He was so terrifying. With one simple whisper, he could easily decide how she’d die.

Just from Li Sun’s expression, she could tell the man was genuinely thinking of killing her. This useless bully only knew to kowtow to the strong and exploit the weak. He only knew to torment women. But she didn’t dare to make an enemy of him.

The tears in her eyes rolled down her cheeks and rained down like wilting pear blossoms. “I know where I went wrong,” she sobbed. “I wouldn’t dare to gossip about Mr Mu’s private matters and I really wasn’t sneaking glances at Little Master Bai. I was behind you the whole time. Little Master Bai spoke so I looked up at him. I know who he is. I wouldn’t dare to stare at him. I just took one glance. Is that a crime worthy of death?  I’m only a girl. I meant nothing by it. Isn’t it normal to look at someone when they’re talking?”

Li Sun sized up  Tao Qi and scoffed. “It’s your fault. Who asked you to look at him the wrong way? No one else dares to stare at Little Master Bai when Mr Mu is in the same room! You can also cut the act. Get out as soon as possible. You can take my gifts with you as well. Any longer and I’ll throw you out!”

Bai YiHan! Someone who wouldn’t live more than a few days did this to her! She could see the malice in Li Sun’s eyes. It was as clear as day. She knew that she can’t stay no matter what. She didn’t dare delay her departure any longer. She hurried upstairs to collect her things and, after a moment of contemplation, snuck one of Li Sun’s precious gem cufflinks, and walked down and out of the house. At the door, she paused. She wasn’t willing to admit defeat yet. She composed herself and turned around to look at Li Sun.

“Feng Qun,” she meekly asked. “The eldest son of the Feng family. What’s happened to him?” Just when will this man kill off Bai YiHan?

Li Sun gave her the side-eye. “Scram already,” he said. “Why are you asking about all this for?”

“Li Sun,” she cried out. “I don’t care if you believe me or not but I truly do like you. I only came looking for you at the police station today because of Feng Qun. I was only concerned for you.”

“Like me?” Li Sun snorted. “You really can lie without batting an eyelid. Weren’t you listening at the police station? Oh, right. It’s not been officially announced yet but telling you would change nothing anyway. They’d soon declare it anyway. Feng Qun is dead. He died in the hospital. He died before a trial. He died yet he fricking dragged me down with him. If he hadn’t been so foolish as to kidnap Little Master Bai, I wouldn’t have been summoned to the police station! I wouldn’t have made an enemy of Mr Mu!

“If that’s all, stop being so nosy and get out now!”

Tao Qi stumbled out of Li Sun’s mansion. She could feel a thick haze clouding up her mind. How could it be? Bai YiHan was still alive and well. How could Feng Qun be dead? Just what went wrong? Everything’s not right! Even the original protagonist, that idiot, stayed by Li sun’s side two years more. When they split, he even gave her a break-up fee! Now that it’s her, an affectionate social butterfly, she only stayed by his side for a few measly months!

Oh, no. That’s not it. It’s not that she’s not charming enough. It’s obvious that horn dog adored her body. He kicked her out all because of Mu JingYuan’s order. He even let her take away his gifts. Most of those gifts were extremely valuable. So, it’s clear he still likes her.

She thought the transmigration was her chance to shine. Why is everything different to what she expected? No “counterattacks”. No face-slapping. All she got was frustrating schoolwork! Being a sugar baby! While she’d inherited the female lead’s identity and memories, she didn’t actually inherit her brains. In the novel, the main character was a star pupil. She’s one of the top students in the entire university. After joining the Mu Group, she’s also an outstanding employee. Tao Qi herself however got into an unpopular university. She also never paid much attention to schoolwork. That meant her results were always below average. After her transmigration, her grades hit rock bottom. It made everyone’s jaw drop. It just so happened when everything began blowing up with her family so they thought it was due to the extreme stress. But as time went on, someone will eventually find it suspicious. She still hadn’t thought of a proper plan for that incident when Li Sun threw her out!

 She can’t head back home. Once she does, her bloodsucking family would likely take away all her money away! Finally, at this very moment, she thought of her own parents. She couldn’t understand it. Shouldn’t all parents be like them? They’d say yes to anything she wanted. They’d give her the best of whatever they could get. The money they earned would all be given to her, outside of what’s needed for survival. Why were the female lead’s parents asking her for money instead? And that evil cheap younger brother! Why won’t he just die?

The more she thought about it, the more infuriated she was. She still had to go through nearly two more years of schooling and her results might not even get her into the Mu Group. If she really got in because of her plot armour, did the universe really want her to be an honest employee and work for two years as a normal clerk?

With how the story was going, even if she got through those two years, would she really be faced with the start of the story?

It’s been a long time since she’d been back at the university dorms. In a few months, she’d gotten used to staying in a mansion. The thought of going back to the dorm room that could only be best described as simple made her heart cry out in refusal. Aaargh! Bai YiHan, why wouldn’t you die? Why does he insist on making things hard for her?

Feng Qun’s dead so who would kill Bai YiHan? If he didn’t die, how could she be the female lead? No way. If Feng Qun won’t do it, she’d get someone else. Either way, Bai YiHan must die! Don’t blame me for being cruel, Bai YiHan! It’s all because you just had to block my path forward!

However, how could she kill Bai YiHan as she was now? She pondered on the plot as she walked on. That’s right! The Chen family! In the story, the Chen family played a significant role in taking down the Bai family. The reason…it’s Chen TianYang’s death! That man!

Once Bai YiHan lost the Bai family’s protection, it’d be easy as pie to kill him off. In the original story, that’s what happened. If she wanted to kill him, she had to take his shields away first. Only then can his neck be bared beneath the guillotine!

The story’s already gone off the rails and she’d been dumped early by Li Sun. Why not just make everything happen early then? Chen TianYang, Bai YiHan, are you ready to welcome death?

***

When Yan Pei arrived at the Bai family home, Bai YiHan was playing a video game all alone and slouched across the living room sofa. Yan Pei changed her shoes for a pair of guest slippers and politely smiled at Aunt Yang who’d opened the door for her.

“Thank you, Aunty,” she said.

“No need to thank me,” Aunt Yang replied, waving her hand before her. Then, she returned to the kitchen with a bright smile on her face.

“You’re here,” YiHan said, sitting up straight. “That was quick.”

Yan Pei sat down beside YiHan. “I finally have you at home and all alone,” she giggled. “Of course I’ve got to rush over. Otherwise, you’d be taken away by Mr Mu again.” There wasn’t an ounce of awkwardness at all from how they’d just gotten to know each other. “Hm? Your mother’s not home too?”

◄Previous • Index• Next►

109. Street Thug

“Ever since then,” JingYuan continued. “Qin HaiTian had been on his guard against Qin Feng. After all, the man had just strangled his mother in front of the boy. Back then, Qin Feng had been into quite a crazy young man. But a few years passed and Qin Feng behaved himself the whole time. Qin HaiTian let his guard down too. Perhaps he thought that the boy was his son. They’re connected by blood. He didn’t think Qin Feng’s silence wasn’t due to an absence of hate but because he was suppressing it. He used seven years to slowly get to know the ins and outs of the Hidden Dragon. Then, he whipped Qin HaiTian to death with just one belt.

“Under Qin HaiTian’s leadership, the gang would do anything and everything. They’d overreached and offended someone up top. Qin Feng acted before the officials could do anything. After Qin Feng took over the Hidden Dragon, he began a great revolution. The gang refused to have anything to do with drugs from then on. It was all so well-organised that the higher ups decided they liked him and they wouldn’t interfere with him. Currently, they’re in a rather precarious balance.”

“I understand.” YiHan nodded. “Light and dark exist together. The world cannot be absolutely good. If the river’s too clear, there’ll be no fish.”

“That’s right,” JingYuan praised. “That is why the Hidden Dragons and the five great families all stay out of each other’s business. They’ll keep to themselves. They won’t make enemies with each other nor would they really befriend each other. We all know of each other’s existence and general motives. As long as we don’t disturb each other, everyone will be fine.”

YiHan nodded along as JingYuan explained. No matter how ambitious the five families got, the Hidden Dragon wouldn’t care about what happened at all as long as the gang wasn’t involved. They’re on opposite banks of the river. All they’d do was watch as the fire burned. They wouldn’t put it out. It was why he never knew of the Hidden Dragon in his last life.

“Qin Feng is quite pitiful,” YiHan sighed. “He has a father but he might as well not have one. His mother’s dead and he still had to live such a bloody life. But since he’d reached the top, he’d become the Dragon’s head, why did he get so hurt and how was he saved by Fang Yi?”

“It happened a while ago,” JingYuan replied. “Qin HaiTian is like a centipede. Cut off one head and the other brains will keep moving on. Qin HaiTian’s loyal protectors seized the chance to assassinate Qin Feng when he was all alone, as revenge. Actually, that opportunity was just a trap. Qin Feng baited them out to kill them all off. He was hurt during the process and went missing for a time. He was probably recovering with Fang Yi then.”

“It feels like a story from another world,” YiHan said.

“That’s technically the truth,” JingYuan softly said, smoothing back YiHan’s hair with a gentle hand. “You’re born in the light and you grew up in the light. He was born to the dark and he was raised in the dark. It’s not wrong to say it’s another world. However, you don’t need to understand his world. You don’t have anything in common. You’re not going to be close friends. Just like tonight. We recognised each other but we said nothing. Not just because Fang Yi still doesn’t know who he is, it’s also because it’s the silent agreement those in the light and in the dark have with each other.”

“Then, Fang Yi…” YiHan worriedly said.

“You must understand, HanHan,” JingYuan said. “Everyone has their own path. You can’t make decisions on Fang Yi’s behalf. He’s a virtuous, passionate and bold man, but he’s not socially adept. It’d be very easy for him to attract the ire of someone petty. While Qin Feng is dangerous, he is someone who understands gratitude. He definitely doesn’t have any bad intentions for Fang Yi. Instead, he’d protect the man. Perhaps this is Fang Yi’s fate. With someone protecting him from the dark, he’s free to be the passionate and righteous policeman he wants to be.

“This is his path. We can’t meddle too much or it’d be extremely easy for our good intentions to have the opposite effect.”

YiHan recalled his past life. When he met with Fang Yi back then, the man already had quite some power. It was also clear he was as hotblooded and empathetic as he was now. Fang Yi had no one backing him up. With how dazed and green the man was, if he didn’t transform into a social butterfly, it would be awfully hard for him to be successful. Instead, he’d be battered up by how cruel reality was. However, if someone were to be his secret protector, everything made sense.

YiHan looked at JingYuan with admiration. This man was so smart and wise that he could see through the ways of the world. It’s a skill YiHan would never be able to learn.

JingYuan savoured being bathed in his lover’s worshipful gaze. Amazing! In one fell swoop, he curried favour with the little one and took care of a potential love rival. He couldn’t have done it any better. The answer he gave was spectacular!

When they arrived at the restaurant, it was rather busy as they were there in time for dinner rush hour. Barbeque tasted the best when paired with beer and there were plenty who were smoking. The main eating hall stank of haze and smog as loud chattering echoed and bounced off the walls.

Usually, Fang Yi wouldn’t think anything about it. All barbeque restaurants were like this. But when he walked through the door with YiHan and JingYuan behind him, he felt extremely uneasy. The couple behind him so did not fit in with the crowd here.

Fang Yi turned back in embarrassment to find YiHan looking as natural as can be in a room like this. This young man should be the most sheltered of them all yet when he saw an empty table across the room, he walked straight over without an ounce of contempt in his face.

The policeman let out a sigh of relief. With a small smile, he quickly followed.

The four men sat down. It was a square table. YiHan and JingYuan sat together on one side while Fang Yi and Qin Feng sat opposite them.

“I did say I’d treat you to dinner,” YiHan said with a bright smile. “Be it here or Yan Hao, it’s dinner. But you simply had to choose this place. Are you trying to save me some money, you silly man? I’d be secretly laughing if so.”

“I’m someone destined to be a stingy poor man,” Fang Yi responded with an equally bright smile. “If I picked somewhere so expensive, I wouldn’t be full.”

“This place is good too,” YiHan said. “The food smells great. Come. It’s my treat today and you’re the star. Order us some food. You can take the bill next time.”

“I can’t afford to treat you to food at Yan Hao,” Fang Yi gasped in shock.

YiHan blinked and whispered, “Actually, I don’t like going there too. No matter how pretty the decorations and cutlery are, it’s useless. We’re not there to eat the plate. And they’re so fussy with having different plates and all that. I’d rather go have some noodles!”

Fang Yi laughed so hard at the admission that his shoulders were jerking up and down.

“I sincerely agree with what you said,” Qin Feng concurred.

Eventually, Fang Yi calmed down.

“You speak as if you’d been to Yan Hao,” Fang Yi said, rolling his eyes at the younger man.

Qin An froze. “So what if I hadn’t been there before?” he said after letting out an awkward cough. “You can’t look down on me for that.”

“I’m not looking down on you,” Fang Yi solemnly said. “I only want to warn you. Don’t ever go to that place. Not only must you be dressed up in a pressed suit, but you must also have a refined air about you. If a street thug like you rocked up, they might not even let you in. It’d be humiliating.”

Qin An: …well done. In the future, I must bring you there with me. You’ll be scared stiff.

YiHan and JingYuan: …well done. You’re probably the only one alive who’d dare say that of this powerful leader of the underground world.

The barbeque restaurant Fang Yi chose was a place where the staff would provide pre-marinated food. The customers would grill the food themselves. The food didn’t look bad, and the cutlery, plates and bowls looked clean. JingYuan rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Whatever YiHan pointed to, JingYuan would cook. The man would look after the fire’s size and carefully turned the food over to the other side as they cooked. He treated the food on the grill with an even more serious attitude than when handling business deals worth billions.

YiHan stared at the sizzling skewers of meat, eager anticipation glimmering in his eyes. He pointed to the skewer that was the first to be placed on the grill.

“This one should be done, right?” asked YiHan.

JingYuan picked up the skewer and thoroughly inspected each inch of meat that could be seen.

“It still needs to cook for a while longer,” JingYuan said. “It’s not cooked through yet.”

With an obedient little “oh”, YiHan leaned back. He took a sniff of the scents wafting up from the food as he continued to watch his meal cook. Food was only given to him after passing JingYuan’s three rounds of inspections and verbal approval. When one finally passed the tests, YiHan eagerly picked up the skewer from his plate, huffed twice at it and bit into it.

“Mmh,” he hummed in happiness. “It’s delicious. Officer Fang, you really picked a good spot.”

JingYuan placed another skewer on YiHan’s plate. This time, it consisted of vegetables.

“Blow on it a little more,” JingYuan murmured to YiHan. “It’s very hot.”

Fang Yi and Qin Feng were astonished. They thought YiHan only agreed to come to such a place because he didn’t want to be rude to Fang Yi. They didn’t expect him to really eat anything. To their surprise, YiHan actually ate a full skewer. He looked so happy and satisfied with his food.

“I often come here,” Fang Yi proudly stated around a mouthful of meat. “Their prices are reasonable and they’ve got big portions. Most importantly, their food tastes good. They’re one of the best when it comes to their marinate. I hear it’s a secret recipe from the boss. No one else knows of it.”

“A restaurant’s food quality cannot be judged by the size of the shop,” YiHan said, nodding along. “A lot of places are hidden gems. This place is quite nice. We can come here more often.”

“Very nice, Little Master Bai! You’re a great man to get along with!” Qin Feng roared in laughter.

“Call me my name,” YiHan said with a wave of his hand. “It’s so weird to hear someone call me Little Master Bai on such a happy and casual dinner outing.”

“Yet you keep calling me Officer Fang,” chuckled Fang Yi.

“My bad,” YiHan said, raising his hands up in surrender. “Come, come, Fang Yi. Pour me a cup of juice. This is rather spicy.”

Fang Yi hurriedly poured some orange juice into YiHan’s cup. After a few sips, YiHan began chowing down on the vegetable skewer JingYuan had given him.

JingYuan brows furrowed slightly. He didn’t think YiHan would really like the food here. He thought YiHan only wanted to come because it’d be something new and exciting. If YiHan kept eating like this, his digestive system might not be able to handle the food. However, JingYuan couldn’t bring himself to stop YiHan from enjoying himself.

As JingYuan debated with himself on the issue, he heard YiHan say, “This beef is nice. It’s tender and juice. It’s very appetising.”

Before JingYuan’s brain could react to what he heard, his hands had already reached out and placed a few more beef skewers on the grill. Regret began to grow when he realised what he’d done, but then he turned to find YiHan’s eyes shining bright at his actions. Those chubby cheeks bopped up and down. There was a dab of sauce staining the edges of YiHan’s mouth. JingYuan pursed his lips and silently committed himself to cooking the skewers thoroughly.

YiHan could tell JingYuan was conflicted about something, but he thought it was because the other man wanted to try some yet was too proud to do so. YiHan raised one of his beef skewers to JingYuan’s mouth.

“It’s super nice,” YiHan coaxed, smile beaming up at JingYuan. “Try it?”

JingYuan shot a glance at YiHan and down at the skewer. He reached up, grabbed the skewer and took a bite.

“Well?” YiHan anxiously asked.

JingYuan looked back at YiHan. Finally, a snort of laughter burst out of him and he wiped YiHan’s mouth with a paper towel.

“It’s not bad,” JingYuan said with a smile.

“Right? Right?” YiHan joyfully crowed. “I’m telling you; barbeque is a food that can’t be eaten with dignity and refinement. Put table manners, etiquette and all that aside. Food will taste much nicer that. It’s such a relaxing thing to do.”

JingYuan nodded and continued nibbling on the skewer in his hand.

Fang Yi and Qin Feng looked at each other in the eye. They were holding back so much laughter that they could feel their bodies aching at the strain. Who knew that there’d be shocking revelations waiting for them once they properly got to know Bai YiHan? This man was actually teaching the big boss of Mu Group how to eat grilled skewers with a straight face. Would anyone believe them if they said it out loud?

But then again, no one would even believe them if they said they’d had grilled skewers together. Right? They would definitely be mocked as delusional mad men.

The four cheerfully ate and spent the evening away. Meanwhile, a hurricane was brewing elsewhere.

Translator’s Notes:

Qin Feng, Qin An: The changes between using Qin An and using Qin Feng are kept from the original text.

Great man to get along with: This line should technically go, “Little Master Bai, you sure are a carefree (easily satisfied) man! That’s the way to live/I like you!”. It doesn’t really roll off the tongue as easily though.

◄Previous • Index• Next►

108. The Hidden Dragon

YiHan glanced at Qin An and back at JingYuan. Then, he smiled and interrupted Fang Yi before the man could say anymore, “It’s fine. He’s right. The more the merrier when it comes to barbeque. Or are you afraid you’d burn a hole through my wallet?”

Fang Yi chuckled in embarrassment as Qin An began poking the ground with the tip of a shoe.

“Officer Fang,” YiHan asked. “Since you like grilled skewers, you know where the best is. Why don’t you lead us?”

After a moment of serious consideration, the policeman said, “There’s a shop on West Hua Road that’s really nice and affordable, but it doesn’t have any private rooms.”

“Then, let’s go,” YiHan replied with a smile. “We’re eating barbeque, not private rooms.”

That response made Fang Yi burst out laughing. The awkwardness from before dissipated.

Qin An glanced at YiHan and chuckled, “I know the shop Lil Fang speaks of. I’ll lead the way. Get in my car, Lil Fang.”

“Then we’ll go get our car,” JingYuan said.

After the two men left, Qin An turned to Fang Yi and languidly asked, “Was that the third son of the Bai Family? He’s different to what the rumours say.”

“How very smart of you.” Yi could feel a headache coming on. “And how did you know he’s Little Master Bai?”

“How could you ask me that?” An smiled. “Everyone in the city knows of Mr Mu’s precious one, the Little Master Bai. The only one who could make the man worry would be him, right? Also, you called him Mr Bai. If I couldn’t make a guess from that, I’d be an idiot. Say, Mr Mu went off to get their car. Can’t Little Master Bai just wait here with us? Why must they go together? Did he think we’d gobble up his precious young man?”

“Haven’t you heard?” Yi sighed. “He was kidnapped a while ago. Little Master Bai nearly died. It’s natural for Mr Mu to be on his guard. Ever since the kidnapping, he’d never left the young man’s side. He even brings Little Master Bai along with him to the office. He’s just terrified the man would disappear once more. He’s not particularly on alert just because of us.”

“Never left his side? Mu JingYuan really is a fool when in love,” An mused, a hand tapping at his chin. “Huh? How did you know they’ve never left each other’s sides?”

Yi pushed the arm An had around his shoulders since the start of their meeting and said, “I’m in charge of Little Master Bai’s case. Of course I’d know a little of their private lives. Also, don’t go spouting nonsense. Fool when in love? The Mu and Bai families have always been close and Mr Mu doesn’t have any direct living relatives. It’s not strange for him to treat the younger man as a brother.”

An twisted and turned, hoping to keep lounging against Yi. “Oh, pure Little Fang. If Mr Mu really just thought of him as a younger brother, then what about the actual big brother? He never said anything about sticking to his younger brother’s side at all times. What does Mr Mu have to worry about? There was obviously something going on with the way they stood together. Look at the little glances they keep throwing at each other. Pew, pew, pew. If you hadn’t bumped into me today, you’d be the third-wheeling lightbulb for the rest of the night.”

“For real?” Yi gaped. “Don’t joke around.”

An finally succeeded in remaining lounged against the policeman with his arm around the other man’s shoulders. “Of course it’s true,” he said, satisfied with his achievement. “Let me tell you. My eyes are as sharp as an eagle’s and as bright as fresh snow. Also, I’d lie to anyone and everyone but you. You are…”

Yi look at An suspiciously when the young man just drifted off into silence. “But what?” Yi asked.

An cleared his throat and stood up straight. “But you’re my saviour,” he said. “Erm, they’re here. Let’s get in the car.”

Once they were in the car, Yi continued shooting suspicious looks at An.

“What are you looking at?” An cheerfully asked as he drove. “Did you just realise how handsome I am? It’s fine to for you to look longer. I won’t charge you.”

Speechless, Yi turned and stared out the window.

An glanced at him and said, “Hey, speaking of which, whose idea was it to eat barbeque? Why all of a sudden?”

“What?” Yi curiously asked. “Mr Bai asked me what I like to eat so I just said I like grilled skewers.”

“I just knew it was you,” An said, mirth laced through his voice. “But really, you. What were you thinking? You actually made the youngest son of the Bai family go eat barbeque with you. But it’s such a shock that he said yes.”

“What’s so weird about that?” Yi asked in confusion. “He’s human. He has to eat too, right?”

“Oh, you,” An chuckled. “You’re such a simple man. Think. What kind of person is Little Master Bai? A single piece of beef steak in a place he chooses would be worth your entire month’s salary. It might not even be enough to pay for it. He’s definitely someone who nit-picks a lot and only eats exquisitely cooked food. Mr Mu, I won’t say too much about him. What family does he come from? He’d probably never had barbeque before. You’re asking them to go have grilled skewers with you and it’s a shop that doesn’t even have private rooms. It’d be so noisy and their outfits would stink of smoke and meat later. It’s such a great honour they’d be willing to go with you. But then again, this Little Master Bai is quite interesting. He’s completely different to what the rumours say.”

Yi pondered hard at that. Guilt started rising in him. “What do we do then?” he uneasily asked. “Why don’t we go somewhere else later?”

Yi’s used of “we” made An feel very satisfied. “No need to do that. They agreed to follow you. That’s  something they’re doing because of you. If you change your mind at the last minute, it’d be awkward. Just leave it. They don’t mind so who are we to be worried on their behalf?”

That made sense to Yi. “Little Master Bai is a very nice young man.” Yi had to admit it. “He doesn’t act high and mighty at all. He even told me not to think of him as a son of the Bai family but as a normal friend. I really don’t understand why anyone would say such rotten things about someone so kind. They go on about how he’s arrogant and self-centred. I think they’re just jealous. They’re jealous of how he’s got a great family and a great personality. It’s probably because he wasn’t petty enough to argue with them over it and would ignore them. That’s why the rumours are so ridiculously far from the truth.”

An dotingly glanced at the furious Yi. “What you say makes sense,” he agreed. “How can an ordinary person really get to know Little Master Bai? They’re just lying. It’s fine that we know. He doesn’t even mind. Don’t get so angry over it.”

“You’re right,” Yi muttered after shooting the man driving a quick glare. “But that’s because Mr Bai is generous. He thinks of me as a friend. Of course I’d be angry on his behalf.”

“Okay, okay,” An chuckled. “I know you’re someone who have a strong sense of loyalty and justice. However, he wants to be your friend. You don’t need to be so formal with him. Only then can you two naturally get to know each other. Once social statuses are put aside, humans are all the same. We all have two legs, a stomach, and a head to top it all off. Everyone needs to eat, sleep and poop. Even an emperor’s crap stinks.”

“As if I need you to teach me how to make friends,” Yi barked out. “Anyway, we’re going to have dinner. Can you not talk about something so disgusting?”

“Oh, Lil Fang,” An guffawed, a hand reaching up to ruffle Yi’s hair. “Why are you so cute?”

“Go away!” Yi shouted. “You’re the one who’s cute! You’ll forever only be cute!”

“Shoot! How mean.” An cried in surprise.

Yi harrumphed and huffed. His face said all, “I’m just that mean.”

***

In the other car, YiHan was sitting on the passenger seat while JingYuan drove.

“Is there something wrong with that Qin An?” YiHan asked.

“Not bad.” JingYuan smiled and glanced at his lover. “You could tell something was up with him. As expected of my HanHan.”

“I’m asking you a proper question,” YiHan replied, shifting in his seat. “Just what’s weird about him?”

“Hm, you tell me first,” JingYuan hummed. This was a good chance to train up YiHan’s mind. “How did you realise something was off about him?”

“I didn’t actually,” YiHan said, scratching at his cheek. “I saw your expression. Your guard raised up when you saw him. There aren’t many people in this city who could get you to make that face and I know all of those people. This Qin An, however, I’ve never seen him before.”

“I see.” JingYuan couldn’t hold back from chuckling. “Alright. You’ve grown up. You should know about the underground world now. To outsiders, there are only five great families in this city. Unbeknownst to them, there’s a faction that can go head-on with all five families at the same time. That Qin An is the head of that faction.”

“What faction?” YiHan was surprised. “Why didn’t I know?”

“You were still young,” JingYuan said. “We just didn’t let you know. In this world, where there’s light, there’s dark. If white exists, black does too. If we five families exist in the light, then the Hidden Dragon Qin An leads is in the dark.”

“A triad gang?” YiHan exclaimed in realisation. “They’re called the Hidden Dragon?”

“You could say that,” JingYuan replied. “They’re the city’s greatest power in the dark. Qin An is the king of the underground kingdom. His name isn’t actually Qin An. It’s Qin Feng, as in the character used for the sharpness of a blade. He’s the bastard son of the last leader of the Hidden Dragon, Qin HaiTian. Three years ago, Qin Feng killed his father and ascended the dragon’s throne.”

“He’s that cruel?” YiHan was truly shocked. “He’s so dangerous. Wouldn’t Fang Yi be at a disadvantage? Why is he bothering Fang Yi?”

The sight of YiHan being so concerned for Fang Yi made JingYuan’s belly fill up with acrid sour jealousy. “He might be a man who can be cruel but he’s not a bloodthirsty man. The Hidden Dragon controls the entire underground in this city. It’s hard for them to avoid selling weapons illegally or other shady businesses but they never involve themselves in drugs and they would never force anyone innocent to be a prostitute. The hostesses and hosts in their clubs all do so willingly. Furthermore, he had no choice but to kill his father.

“His mother was just an ordinary university student. Qin HaiTian took a liking to her. When sweet talk and lying couldn’t get her to fall for him, he just took what he wanted. Her family had no power or connections and they didn’t dare say no. So they gave her to Qin HaiTian. When his mother gave birth to him, she was traumatised and hurt herself. From then on, she’d be sickly and fall ill. Combined with the harsh life of struggling to survive every day, the pressure built up quickly. She grew old quick wasn’t as beautiful as she was before giving birth to Qin Feng. By then, Qin HaiTian was sick of her. He only kept her by his side because she gave him a son.

“Qin HaiTian is a greedy and lustful man. As long as it’d make him money, he’d do anything. He’s also a brutal man. Perhaps it was karma. He’d done too many bad deeds. He never had another child. The only option he was to raise Qin Feng as his heir. Ever since he was a young child, Qin Feng had to go through his ‘training’. Qin HaiTian’s ‘training’ is no mere training. He would lock the small boy up with starving wolves and dogs. Compared to that man, Feng DeCheng can be considered the kindest father of all. Qin Feng’s mother had always been against putting her son through such savage training and she refused to let her son take over his bastard of a father’s job. She didn’t want a life of blood and darkness for him. But her words held no power. No one would listen to her. When Qin Feng was sixteen years old, she organised an escape attempt for him. In a fit of rage, Qin HaiTian strangled her to death.”

Translator’s Note:

Barbeque, not private rooms: There’s another pun in here where the term for private rooms has the character for bao and bread (包).

◄Previous • Index• Next►

107. Treat You to Barbeque

JingYuan placed his hands on his knee, fingers linked. “Feng Qun is clearly just a scapegoat,” he said. “The true mastermind is still eyeing YiHan from the dark. YiHan is still in a lot of danger. Ending the case this sloppily would upset the victim further instead.”

“I also told the higher-ups that,” Captain Chen sighed. “But this case has just blown up. The old Mr Yan called yesterday to ask about the case’s progress. The officials are under a lot of pressure.”

“If there’s a lot of pressure, then the police should do their all to solve the case,” JingYuan replied with an unamused smile. “Not try and wave us off with a vague excuse. Captain Chen, I believe in you. It’s only a matter of time to when this case would be resolved. We’re not in a hurry so what are your higher-ups panicking about?”

“Thank you, Mr Mu, for your confidence in me.” Captain Chen bitterly smiled. “However, there’s a lot of rumours and talk flying around now and the mastermind is doing their best to hide. Feng Qun is dead and all our leads have gone cold. If we want to drag the true mastermind from hiding, we’d need a lot of time. The higher-ups seriously can’t wait anymore. Actually, I also think it’s best to end the case early.”

“Oh?” JingYuan’s eyes gleamed. “You have a plan, Captain?”

“I do have some kind of a plan,” Chen Jing said with a nod. “Those men had confessed after undergoing several sessions of interrogation. Unfortunately, the information they provided wasn’t of any true help at all. The person who paid them certainly wasn’t Feng Qun but the money passed through the man’s hands. The mastermind never showed themselves. ‘That person’ contacted Feng Qun and told him to hire these men. Due to their paranoid nature born from being criminals, they didn’t trust or believe Feng Qun. He looked like someone who couldn’t pay up back then and since he’d fallen from grace overnight, Feng Qun kept muttering and mumbling to himself as if he were crazy. Thus, ‘that person’ had to appear before them and alleviate their concerns. They were told that as long as they did their job, they’d be paid. None of them wasn’t able to see what ‘that person’ looked like back then. The room they had their chat in had a barrier between them and ‘that person’, plus ‘that person’ used a voice changer. All we know is they exist. We have no way to investigate them. Everyone in the city is now on alert and the mastermind must be too. They wouldn’t slip up. Why don’t we act as though we’re ending the case to put ‘that person’ at ease? Fang Yi and I would then secretly continue our investigation. Perhaps we might be pleasantly surprised by the results.”

YiHan leaned back on his chair, smiled and said, “That is a perfect plan. We can continue investigating while giving the public and your bosses a resolution.”

“It’s our last resort,” Captain Chen replied. “It involves the dignity of the old Mr Yan, and the Bai and Mu families. My application to continue the investigation in secret would soon be approved. Mr Mu, Mr Bai, please don’t worry. I will do my best to find everyone involved and eliminate all future worries.”

“That’d be good.” JingYuan nodded. “We’ll be depending on you and Officer Fang then.”

“You’re too kind,” Captain Chen replied. “This is my duty. Thank you so much for your understanding.”

“You’re doing all you can do for YiHan’s case,” JingYuan said. “I can still see that.”

Chen Jing’s ever-stern face cracked with a smile born from his heart. “It’s my duty,” he said.

“It’s getting late,” JingYuan commented, standing up from his chair. “You two should be off work soon, right? Why don’t we have a meal together?”

“Thank you for your offer, Mr Mu,” Captain Chen hurriedly said. “But it’s my wedding anniversary today. My wife is waiting for me at home with a feast she’d spent a lot of time preparing. I can’t bear to disappoint her. Please forgive me.”

JingYuan’s mind began imagining his and YiHan’s future wedding anniversary. On that long-awaited day, he’d prepare a feast of eight dishes and one soup. HanHan would gasp in awe and stare at him with admiration. The two would then lock eyes and smile. In the warm, gentle glow of candlelight, they’d dine and do something a little more after…

JingYuan’s mind wandered so deeply into his fantasy that a smile began spreading across his face. “A wedding anniversary certainly is a very important matter,” he agreed. “Best not to be late. You’d best head home early.”

Chen Jing had to go through what JingYuan said three times before he was sure the man wasn’t mocking him in a passive aggressive manner. He was touched upon realising it was serious. “Thank you so much for your understanding, Mr Mu. The one you marry will certainly be happy.”

“Of course,” JingYuan said in a matter-of-fact tone. “If a man can’t make his lover happy, then he’s not fit to be a lover.” As he said so, he shot a glance full of love at YiHan.”

YiHan’s heart skipped. He twisted his head and looked away, revealing bright red ears.

“Indeed,” Chen Jing said, nodding. “You’re so insightful, Mr Mu.”

YiHan cleared his throat, stood up and said, “Well, Captain Chen, you’d best be getting ready to be home on time. You can’t make your wife wait on such an important day. We’ll be off.”

“Take care, sirs,” Chen Jing said, standing up as well.

The couple nodded and left.

Li Sun knew the two powerful men didn’t want to see him and he wouldn’t even dare to let Tao Qi appear before JingYuan again. After Fang Yi was done with his questioning, he charged out the station with the reluctant Tao Qi in two.

When JingYuan and YiHan entered the reception area on their way out, it was to a peaceful room only occupied by Fang Yi packing up.

“Officer Fang,” YiHan asked, walking over. “Do you have anything on tonight?”

“No.” The policeman was stunned. “What is it, Mr Bai?”

“That’s great,” YiHan gleefully said, smile so wide that his dimples were showing. “Let’s go eat. It’s my treat tonight. I was going to invite Captain Chen too but it’s his wedding anniversary tonight. He can’t come so it’ll just be us three tonight.”

“How could I?” Fang Yi quickly refused. “As I’ve said, it’s my duty to hunt down clues and investigate all I can. You don’t need to take it to the heart, Mr Bai.”

“I know,” YiHan replied, carefree smile still on his face. “You’re a very responsible policeman, a true servant to the public. I didn’t mean anything by the offer. I just want to be friends. Don’t think of me as the Little Master Bai. Think of me as a normal friend. Well? Would you come?”

Fang Yi was a frank man. Upon hearing such a sincere plea, his impression of YiHan became much more favourable than before. He couldn’t help smiling back. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I? I’d be glad to be your friend!”

“That settles it. Let’s go!” YiHan patted Fang Yi on the shoulder. “What do you want to eat? Just tell me. I’ve got plenty of money!”

Fang Yi was stunned. “Really?” he dazedly asked.

“Of course,” YiHan replied.

“I like barbeque skewers the most!” said Fang Yi, the honest child.

JingYuan: …! You want to ask someone who’s so nit-picky that there’s no food he’d never criticise to go eat grilled skewers?

After a silent pause, Fang Yi realised what he said wasn’t really appropriate for someone of YiHan’s calibre. He was about to change his answer when YiHan suddenly laughed.

“Okay! We’ll have barbeque tonight!” YiHan then turned to JingYuan, his eyes gleaming bright. “Can we?”

JingYuan was shocked. He was going to refuse. He was afraid YiHan’s digestive system wouldn’t be used to it but upon seeing such happiness glimmering in those eyes, he hesitated. YiHan was likely afraid of disappointing Fang Yi. JingYuan can just keep a closer eye on YiHan. He won’t let the younger man have too much. And so, the words hovering on his tongue dropped back down to his throat.

“It’s fine to have some occasionally,” JingYuan said with a nod.

“You’re the best, JingYuan,” said YiHan. He the raised a hand, pointing out ahead and said in the grandest tone he could muster, “Let’s go!”

This was the first time YiHan had acted like a kid since his “incident”. It made JingYuan worry much less. Plus the “sweet talk” just now, JingYuan’s mood was soaring high. A doting smile hung on his face as his steady strides followed YiHan out.

At that moment, Fang Yi somehow felt a glow shining bright from his head…

The trio walked out the police station to find an SUV parked by the side. A rather handsome but thuggish young man was leaning against it. He was very tall, but lanky. The two long and slender legs wrapped in a pair of leather pants were extremely eye-catching. His eyes looked as if they’d never wake up. Squinted, those almond-shaped eyes stared unblinkingly at the police station entrance. When Fang Yi appeared in his sight, those sleepy eyes lit up. By the time the trio heard him calling out to Fang Yi, he was already on his way over.

Fang Yi shot an apologetic glance at YiHan. The younger man tilted his chin up, indicating he could go handle it.

The young man stopped before Fang Yi. He first scanned JingYuan and YiHan from top to toe. An intelligent glint flashed across his eyes before being suppressed again.

“Lil Fang, let’s go get dinner,” he said to Fang Yi with a roguish smile.

“Qin An, didn’t I tell you?” Fang Yi sighed. “Don’t come looking for me anymore.”

“How could I?” Qin An chuckled. “I’ve got to pay you back for saving my life.”

“Why can’t I get through to you?” Fang Yi sighed once more. “The wounds you had back then only looked terrifying. Even if I hadn’t saved you, you wouldn’t have died. You’d suffer more pain at most. Aren’t you afraid of being a laughingstock? How could you say I saved your life?”

“You just don’t like me because I’m a street thug,” Qin An muttered, his lips pushed out in a miserable pout. “You don’t want to be seen with me.”

“You too understand you’re a thug,” Fang Yi said in a defeated tone, head lowered into his palm. “Look. You’re a thug. I’m a policeman. We have nothing in common. How can we be friends? I’ve advised you to change your ways but you refused to.”

“So what if you’re police?” Qin An huffed. “I’ve not broken the law. Why can’t we be close?”

“If you weren’t fighting, where did the stab wounds come from?” Fang Yi asked, looking back up. “How did I find you again? You’re lucky I didn’t bring you back to the station for questioning.”

“What stab wounds?” Qin An blinked and innocently asked. “I don’t know. Either way, we’re friends. Let’s get dinner together.”

Fang Yi let out another sigh and shook his head. He didn’t know what else to say anymore. “Forget it. Whatever I say just goes out the other ear. I can’t do tonight though. I’ve already got plans.”

Qin An peeked around Fang Yi at JingYuan and YiHan. “With them?” he asked. “What a coincidence. You can just bring me along. The more the merrier. Mr Mu…you don’t mind me joining you, right?”

“Of course not,” JingYuan replied. His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“How do you know Mr Mu?” Fang Yi curiously asked.

Qin An took advantage of his height and hung himself over Fang Yi’s shoulders. “I’m just a little thug,” he laughed. “How could I know him? He’s just incredibly famous. I’ve seen his picture in financial magazines.”

Fang Yi, a true innocent silly goose, replied with a simple “oh”. Now that he knew there was no way he could get rid of this clingy man, he turned to YiHan, “Mr Bai…”

Translator’s Notes:

1. Feast of eight dishes and one soup: It’s only a common number used for family feasts. A round table in a Chines feast would typically only seat 10. Eight dishes and one soup would be just enough for 10 adults to dine on. There’s also some number speculation (on my end). Eight (八ba) can be a semi-homonym for prosperity (发/發 fa). There’s also 8+1=9 of which 9 is another lucky number. All personal speculation though.
2. Glow shining bright: Reference to a lightbulb, the Chinese term for third-wheeler.
3. Qin An: 秦安 He’s…important. Let’s applaud for a deed he’ll do in the future.

◄Previous • Index• Next►

106. Powerful Mr Li

On the third afternoon of YiHan following JingYuan into the office, YiHan received a call from Captain Chen Jing to invite him to the station to help clarify further details about the case.

However when YiHan and JingYuan arrived at the police station, they walked into a dramatic scene.

The centre of the drama was even someone they knew – Li Sun. He had clearly been drinking and he had an arm around a pretty, in a clean and pure way, girl.

“Don’t you fricking know who I am?” he arrogantly shouted. “You dare question me? Me! Who gave you the balls to do that? Do you even have the right to talk to me? With a single phone call, I can strip your police uniform away from you right now!”

Fang Yi who was standing opposite to him had a dark, stern look on him. “Mr Li, this is just routine questioning about Mr Bai’s kidnapping. Please cooperate with us.”

Li Sun was furious. His spit was flying everywhere. “Stop using Little Master Bai to threaten me! How is his kidnapping any of my flipping business? I’m not the kidnapper anyway!”

“The mastermind of this case, Feng Qun, was close to you, Mr Li,” Fang Yi patiently explained. “The police hoped to get some clues from the people he’s usually close to. This is also the duty of a citizen. Please cooperate.”

Li Sun instantly puffed out his chest. “Bullshit!” he screamed in rage. “Are you fricking saying I was colluding with Feng Qun? Are you flipping blind? You dog! I’m telling you right now that Bai YiHan’s kidnapping had nothing to do with me! Stop trying to throw blame at me! Also, you’re through at this job now! You don’t need to yap on here. You don’t need to come to work tomorrow! To hell with your questioning!”

The moment Li Sun was finished with his rant, he flung his arm out in a fit of rage as he turned to stomp out the door. Fang Yi was about to run after him when he saw the man, woman in tow, backing away from the door and towards him once more. The red flush of inebriation was gone. His face had turned pale white.

“L-Little Master B-Bai,” Li Sun stuttered as he retreated.

Fang Yi was pleasantly surprised. YiHan bounced over from the door with JingYuan calmly striding behind him. The young man gave Li Sun a side-eye that hinted at laughter as he passed the terrified man.

“Officer Fang,” YiHan greeted, a hand stretched out for a handshake.

“Mr Bai, why are you here?” Fang Yi happily asked. As if he was shocked by the honour, he hurriedly reached out and shook the stretched-out hand.

“Captain Chen called me,” YiHan replied. “He said there was something he’d like to discuss, so I came. That also meant I could come visit you. I’ve been wanting to treat you to a meal after I was discharged but I was scared you’d be busy with my case. I didn’t dare to disturb you. It’s why I only came to find you after so long.”

Li Sun’s face wasn’t just pale. It was a sickly pale green. Cold sweat was dripping down his face. Just who is this puny police officer? What about him made Little Master Bai treat him so courteously? If the man had such a strong background, why would he become some insignificant policeman? If he knew the man was close with Little Master Bai, he wouldn’t have dared to scold and insult the man! Not even if he was threatened with death!

It wasn’t just Li Sun. Everyone in the room silently gasped in shock. Many of them were now flipping through their memories in horror. Had they offended Fang Yi or done anything against him?

“You’re too polite, Mr Bai,” Fang Yi replied with a carefree smile and an embarrassed scratch to his chin. “You could’ve just called me.”

“Officer Ye, you seemed to have encounter a problem?” YiHan smiled back. “I heard a little of the commotion at the door. It’s quite lively here.” He then turned to Li Sun, his smile dampening. “You must be so very powerful, Mr Li. You could actually just fire a police officer, a public servant, just on a whim.”

“It’s a misunderstanding!” Li Sun hurriedly intercepted before Fang Yi could speak. “It’s all just a misunderstanding! Master Bai, I didn’t know this Officer Fang is your friend. It’s why I panicked and spoke too hastily.” He then gave Fang Yi a grovelling, apologetic smile. “It had a little too much to drink today, Officer Fang. My mind’s not all sober. Please forgive me for any transgressions I may have made. What I just said? That’s all just a joke. Don’t take it to heart.”

Fang Yi frowned. JingYuan’s piercing gaze swept at Li Sun and the woman beside him, Tao Qi, whose eyes gleaming up at him.

“Did you just forget about what YiHan said?” he darkly asked.

A spark burst to life in Li Sun’s mind. Upon remembering YiHan once told him to never appear before him again, he quickly let out an awkward chuckle.

“No, no. How could I ever dare to forget what Master Bai said? I’ll be going right now. Immediately,” as Li Sun said so he swiftly fled out the door, ignoring Tao Qi.

As for the woman, she internally scoffed and lambasted him for his heartlessness. To others, she was frozen on the spot. In actuality, she was hesitating. Should she follow suit or should she seize this chance to talk to the male lead? She believed that even if the story had yet to properly start, she was still the female lead. With the plot armour of a female lead, she could attract the male lead’s attention for sure. Once she succeeds, she wouldn’t have to bear through two agonising years.

And this Bai YiHan, he wasn’t looking at her at all. Did he not recognise her or was he playing the fool? Hmph. He must be pretending. She was the protagonist of this world. She was also the only woman in his life he’d ever properly loved. How could he not have carved the memory of her deep in his heart? She did wonder what he was thinking. He actually pretended he didn’t know her. It didn’t matter what he thought though because he was a short-lived bastard. In just a few years, he’ll die in a cruel death. Look at this exquisite young man. He was as pretty as a flower made of jade. She thought back to how the novel said Bai YiHan would die and she couldn’t resist the glee rising in her at that. He was born into a good family. He had great looks. He was loved and doted on. So what? He’ll just a grasshopper after the end of Autumn. He didn’t have many days left to live. In the story, he was the same as Feng Qun. They were dead from the start. Otherwise, as his first love plus her gorgeous looks and sexy body, it’d be a snap to have him as her conquest. She’s not an idiot like the original female lead!

Unfortunately, Bai YiHan’s destiny was set. He’s not worth wasting her efforts on. The important person right now is the male lead. The almighty, powerful male lead! She wanted to walk up to him but then she paused. Nothing had happened yet. The Chen family hadn’t turned into the Bai family’s enemy yet. The Bai family wasn’t bankrupt. Bai YiHan wasn’t dead. Would appearing within the male lead’s sight, well before she was meant to, going to break the plot? She had to pause and think on it but before she could decide, she heard Bai YiHan shout, “Stop!”

Li Sun jumped. His face twisted for a few moments before he turned around and faced YiHan with a grinning face.

“What other orders do you have for me, Master Bai?” he asked.

“Do you think the police station is your backyard?” YiHan drawled. “You think you can come and go as you please? Since Officer Fang has a few questions for you, I think you should stay behind and cooperate with the officers. Right? It’s part of a citizen’s duty, don’t you think?”

“Yes, that’s true,” Li Sun hastily agreed. “Look at me. I’m so forgetful. What would you like to know, Officer Fang? I’ll tell you all I know!”

“Please take a seat and wait a while, Mr Li,” Fang Yi said. “I’ll be with you soon.”

“It’s okay,” Li Sun said. “Your work’s more important.”

Upon seeing the men ignoring her existence and were about to leave the room, she panicked. Unwittingly, she took a step forward but then Li Sun blocked her from doing anything more.

Fang Yi led YiHan and JingYuan further into the station. As JingYuan passed by Li Sun, he paused, leaned down and whispered into his ear, “I really don’t like how your woman’s looking at us. Don’t let me see her ever again.”

Li Sun’s face went pale once more. “I’ve got it. Don’t worry, Mr Mu.”

JingYuan glanced at him and marched towards where YiHan went.

That one glance raised Li Sun’s hackles. He turned around and glared hard at Tao Qi. He just knew she wasn’t a loyal one. The only thing that could ever make Mr Mu bend down to speak would be anything regarding Little Master Bai. Mr Mu must’ve discovered this slut was sneaking looks at Little Master Bai. This fool! Who in this city wouldn’t know Bai YiHan was Mu JingYuan’s heart? She actually dared to stare at him right under Mr Mu’s nose! Just where did she get the courage from? Look what happened now. Even if Li Sun himself wasn’t tired of her yet, he can’t let her stay.

***

“What’s with Li Sun?” YiHan asked Fang Yi as they walked.

Fang Yi sighed and said in a tired tone, “We’ve reached a dead-end with your case, Mr Bai. Captain Chen wanted to see if the people Feng Qun was in contact with while he was still alive could provide us with some information. Li Sun was once remarkably close to Feng Qun. We’ve summoned him a few times for a questioning but he wouldn’t come. Today, he was only brought in because he hurt someone in a car accident as he was drunk driving. In the end, his family pulled some strings and the case was dropped. I thought I could use this chance to get him to cooperate with us. I didn’t think he’d have such an explosive temper.”

“An explosive temper?” YiHan chuckled. “His temper is like a spring. It can stretch and shrink as needed.”

“Certainly,” Fang Yi laughed. He remembered the drastic changes Li Sun’s expressions went through. “He’s a guy who only know how to bully the weak and grovel to the strong. But I’m afraid he’ll bear a grudge against us. People who can bear to humiliate himself like that are very scary when they start scheming. They’ve got a dark heart.”

JingYuan who’d been silent then spoke up, “A dark heart needs to be accompanied with power. Just like the worst bugs in the world. It can only bite at the poor and powerless. One smack and it’s dead.”

YiHan looked up and looked dotingly (?) at JingYuan. His lips twitching upwards.

JingYuan: …

“You’re so funny, Mr Mu,” Fang Yi chuckled.

JingYuan didn’t reply back. While he said Li Sun was not a threat, he actually took note of the man. He didn’t want another Feng Qun. Also, that Tao Qi…what was that look she gave his HanHan? Pity? Mean-spirited glee? Was it because he was kidnapped? That’s unforgiveable!

YiHan’s kidnapping was still a thorn in JingYuan’s heart. It constantly reminded him there was someone secretly eyeing his HanHan. He wasn’t strong enough yet. He can’t protect HanHan completely. This made him very frustrated, so frustrated that he was extremely sensitive to how other people look at YiHan. He instantly detected the look that seemingly weak girl shot at YiHan. He didn’t know what Tao Qi thought. All he knew was that gaze wasn’t benevolent.

***

When Captain Chen saw them, he asked them a few questions about the details on-scene.

“This case,” Captain Chen said after the questions were done and a brief moment of hesitation. “While it seems like we haven’t found the mastermind behind it all, we’ve already reached a dead-end.” He pointed upwards and continued, “What the higher-ups mean to say is since all our evidence points to Feng Qun and he was captured on site, we should end the case as fast as possible. We can’t drag it on for too long in case the victim or the victim’s family become unsatisfied.”

Translator’s Note:

Flower made of jade: A Jade flower tree. There are two common versions of the jade tree – the kind made with carved jade leaves and flowers with a few wires to hold it together (usually flowers or grapes) and the kind where the trunk is made of wire while its leaves are tiny shards of jade (bonsai tree variety). The original idiom used here, however, usually refers to outstanding descendants/disciples and doesn’t actually refer to a jade tree.

The story goes that one day, an old minister (太傅) asked the younger generation of his family (male), “Why do you need to ask about what goes on at court? Why do you always want to nurture them (your sons) into outstanding young men?” Everyone kept quiet.

But then his nephew, a future general, replied, “Just like the irises, the orchids and the jade plant (the money plant that is either a succulent or a vine with large leafy leaves), one would always want them growing in one’s home!” That surprised the minister and from then on, he began to pay attention to this nephew.

The story above is one of those stories of a famous person when they’re a kid. 谢玄  was the kid.

◄Previous • Index• Next►

105. Half of Life’s Goals

YiHan turned and straddled JingYuan’s lap, pushing the man down onto the chair YiHan had been occupying before their embrace. He leaned in and laid his chin on JingYuan’s shoulder. As he looked down at his phone to reply to Yan Pei, he said to JingYuan, “It’s Yan Pei. I went to the Yan family manor today. We were there when she stopped by to visit the old Mr Yan. We talked a little. She’s quite interesting.”

“Yan Pei?” JingYuan frowned. “Yan Ping’s only daughter?”

“Yes, that’s her,” YiHan replied, nodding. “She’s a happy-go-lucky girl. She’s like a….a tiny sun!”

JingYuan’s heart dropped. Silently, he tightened his arms around YiHan and kissed the younger man on the ear.

“You’re a tiny sun too,” JingYuan said. “My sun.”

YiHan’s ears were particularly sensitive. They’re so sensitive that a single breeze could make his hair stand on end. JingYuan kissing him there and speaking so close into his ear made him shiver so hard that his instincts nearly made him throw away his phone.

“That tickles,” he whined, a hand rubbing vigorously at the ear JingYuan had spoken into.

JingYuan gave a low chuckle. He lowered his voice into a deep rumble and whispered, “Where?”

Shivers wrecked through YiHan’s body once more. The young man stared dazedly at the lips that had uttered those words. He stared and stared, and for some reason, something popped into his head that made his face gradually develop a rosy blush.

JingYuan slowly leaned in and kissed YiHan. He slowly licked and danced his tongue against YiHan’s lips. Gently, warmly, sensually. His hand snuck under YiHan’s shirt and snaked over the silky-smooth skin. YiHan’s phone dropped to the carpet, its screen flashing brightly but completely ignored. YiHan placed his hands on JingYuan’s chest. His eyelids drooped; long lashes fluttered as a feeble moan left his throat.

JingYuan scooped him up and strode over to the bed. He placed YiHan on the bed and deepened the kiss. If the kiss before on the chair was akin a gentle drizzle, this kiss would be a typhoon. His tongue breached into YiHan’s mouth, exploring every nook and cranny available. All YiHan could feel was the oxygen being sucked away from his lungs. His head grew heavy. Strength fled his limbs. All he could do was slump back on the bed and allowed JingYuan to do as he wished.

When JingYuan finally had enough of mere kissing and began attacking YiHan’s neck, YiHan was left panting hard as his eyes glistened up at the ceiling. Suddenly, a loud moan burst through his lips.

“Don’t like there,” YiHan said, a tremor in his voice. “Aaahn.”

YiHan never knew before he got together with JingYuan that the two red perky beans on a man’s chest could be so sensitive. He thought those were just useless decorations. JingYuan though seemed to have a particular fascination with it. Every time they got intimate, JingYuan would suck and bite at them, rendering YiHan trembling and immobile. He would only “give up” once they’re all red and swollen.

YiHan once tried to “punish” JingYuan with the same method. In the end…his waist was nearly snapped in half by a feral JingYuan.

JingYuan kissed and suckled, then he gave the two perky, swollen beans one last resigned kiss each before pulling YiHan up and buttoning him back up. He gave YiHan a quick peck on the cheek.

“We’ve got to go down for dinner later,” JingYuan hoarsely said. “We can’t go over the line. Let’s continue tonight.”

YiHan, blurry eyed from pleasure: …was this not over the line already?

That night, YiHan realised the “frolicking” session they had late in the afternoon really wasn’t over the line. It couldn’t even be considered an appetiser! He passed out twice that night. Twice! Even during the act, this man would be thrusting into him while murmuring, “Sleep, babe. Don’t worry about me.”

YiHan: …!@#$%^&*

Unfortunately, he didn’t have any strength left to complain.

The next day, JingYuan’s plan to bring YiHan wherever he went failed because YiHan was so deeply asleep that JingYuan couldn’t bear to wake him up. He’ll just go to work alone, but the little bundle on the bed made him so reluctant. In the end, he gave in and decided to skip work for half a day.

Chen Hong: …Boss, if you keep doing this, you’ll lose us!

In the afternoon, JingYuan personally tidied up YiHan and brought the woozy young man to work with him. Basically every employee of Mu Group knew Little Master Bai. After all, even an outsider would know Bai YiHan was Mu JingYuan’s one weakness. Naturally, JingYuan’s own staff would know. Every new employee of Little Master Bai would be taught the two essential rules of the office by their seniors. One, never ever offend Little Master Bai. Two, don’t even think about seducing the boss. These two minefields would leave any trespassers dying in a horrifying way.

YiHan followed JingYuan into the main office of the Mu Group. The employees they bumped into all gave him friendly greetings, which he returned with nods. The two of them got on JingYuan’s private elevator and went straight to the highest floor.

Chen Hong was waiting by the elevator entrance when the doors opened. He greeted them with the ideal elite secretary smile. First, he addressed YiHan, “Hello, Little Master.”

Then, he began rapidly briefing JingYuan on work while following a few steps behind. In spite of his rapid speech, his enunciation was clear, so clear that YiHan thought it a shame Chen Hong wasn’t a broadcaster.

Once they stepped into JingYuan’s office, JingYuan interrupted his secretary with a raised hand. He then gave his first order of the day, “Go get some drinks for YiHan and something to kill time with.”

Chen Hong wasn’t surprised at all by that. He immediately spun around and left. As the door closed behind him, YiHan collapsed onto the sofa. His legs were still wobbly. There wasn’t a single muscle in him that didn’t ache. JingYuan sat down beside him. His toasty hands massaged YiHan’s slim waist.

“Does it still hurt?” JingYuan asked in an upset tone. “It’s all my fault. I didn’t control myself.”

“Nice of you to know that,” YiHan groaned. “I already said I was done, but you kept going and going. My waist felt like it was being snapped.”

That made JingYuan’s blood boil in lust. His hands slowly moved lower and lower.

“I’m so sorry,” he solemnly said. “I’ll be more careful next time.”

YiHan rolled his eyes. As if he’d believe that! JingYuan would need to take that hand away from his behind first, and put the stick pressing against his thigh away!

YiHan really didn’t get it. Why and how did a proper great, tyrannical CEO become a big pervert?

When Chen Hong returned, he came with two more employees. The trio’s hands were piled high with various laptops, tablets, fruit juices of all flavours, snacks of all tastes and colours, magazines and more. They took over the entire coffee table before YiHan and every seat on the sofa he was sitting on.

Rows of black lines descended upon YiHan. He was only here for one afternoon. He wasn’t here for a picnic and he wasn’t going to camp here. What’s with this mountain of items used to pacify kids?

YiHan shot a begging glance at JingYuan. Save him. Unexpectedly, JingYuan looked as calm as ever. It  was clear he was very satisfied with Chen Hong’s actions. JingYuan even praised him with a “not bad”.

“It’s my duty,” Chen Hong replied, smile ever-present.

YiHan twisted his head back to stare at the items around him without saying a word. Forget it. There was no way YiHan could get through to him.

The whole afternoon, JingYuan studiously worked at the desk while YiHan was lounged across the couch to play some games and read some books. Snacks were something rather peculiar. When they’re not within YiHan’s sight, he didn’t care if he never had any. When they’re placed right before him however, it was very hard for him to hold back from eating some. Unwittingly, he’d decimated over half of the huge pile of snacks Chen Hong had gotten for him. Occasionally, JingYuan would raise his head to look at YiHan. His two puffed-up cheeks munching and crunching were so cute that JingYuan couldn’t help but snuck his phone out to take a lot of photos of YiHan snacking while reading. Of course, the camera app’s sound effects were turned off.

JingYuan was really into his photographer role when YiHan suddenly looked up at him. JingYuan swiftly slammed his phone on the table with the screen faced down and sat up straight. He flipped a page of the document on his desk.

“What is it?” JingYuan asked, a nonchalant smile on his face. “Bored?”

YiHan shook his head. “They always say the men seriously working are the most handsome,” he replied with a smile of his own. “They weren’t wrong. You’re so…mesmerising when you’re focusing on work.”

“It’s none of my business if other people are charmed,” the guilty Mr Mu calmly replied. “The only one I want to mesmerise is you. Well? Are you?”

YiHan cleared his throat and did his best to suppress his twitching lips. He failed. “I was,” he replied, eyes squinting as he grinned. “In my eyes, you’re the most handsome man ever.”

A suspicious red blush overtook JingYuan’s chiselled face. His eyes glinted. Just like YiHan, he couldn’t stop his smile.

“That’s good,” he said. “That’s half of my life’s goals done.”

“What’s the other half?” YiHan asked, curious. “Is it to build up a ginormous business empire?”

JingYuan shook his head, mysterious as ever.

YiHan guessed and guessed but all he got were JingYuan’s head shaking with an unchanging smile.

“Stop playing hard to get already,” YiHan said in exasperation. “Just tell me.”

JingYuan blinked. He remained silent.

YiHan was so done at that point. He got up, walked over and bent down to peck JingYuan on the lips. “Tell me,” he coaxed. “I really want to know.”

The man on the chair reached up pressed YiHan down for a deeper kiss. Their noses brushed against each other’s as JingYuan softly said, “The other half consists of loving you, protecting you, grow old with you and do my best to live just a little longer than you so you’ll never feel lonely.”

YiHan was stunned. Tears slowly welled in his eyes. This was probably the best thing one could ever hear from a lover, right?

He didn’t think he’d be as easily moved to tears as those girls in dramas, but the emotions whirling in him were pushing hard to burst out. In the end, he couldn’t bear to stop a tear from blazing down his cheek.

YiHan held on tighter to JingYuan. Tighter. Tighter.

Mu JingYuan, I’m not a strong man. It’s the harsh cruel reality that made me strong. Your love removed the armour I’d put on and transformed me back to my weak self. If you ever take back your love, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forge another armour for myself. I would be shredded to pieces by the hurricane that is life.

***

The next day when YiHan followed JingYuan into the office, he instantly found something off about the place. The couch he’d spent his previous afternoon on has changed. The black luxurious leather couch has been replaced with a softer, more comfortable apple green fabric couch. It even had couch cushions!

While this couch was nice and looked very cosy, it just didn’t fit in with the office’s decor! With it here, the whole office looked weird. Fine. He knew JingYuan did it for him. Look at JingYuan’s gaze. The man’s begging for praise. Ah, it’s so sweet. What should he do?

Two days of being “kept at arm’s length” by JingYuan had the couple as happy as can be. The staff at Mu Group felt like their boss was the same as usual but something felt off. Something somewhere changed somewhat. His room presence was much stronger now. He looked so much happier and at ease now as if the warm winds of Spring were blowing. Of course, the winds only seemed to blow around one person. That would be Little Master Bai who’d always be next to him. The two seemed to be in their own world. No one else could step into it. While there weren’t any public displays of affection, just one step or a wave of their hand would make any onlookers feel like they’d develop cavities. A minor portion of the female staff secretly created a group chat. They were tacitly known as the new “shippers” of their boss with Little Master Bai.

◄Previous • Index• Next►

104. Would Rather He Wasn’t a Good Kid

When YiHan arrived home from his trip out to the Yan family manor, he immediately went up to his room to change. Soon, Ma knocked on his door and entered.

“HanHan, Aunt Yang prepared some fruit dessert soup. Come down and have some?” Ma asked.

“Okay,” YiHan answered as he turned and followed his mother downstairs. Just as he took a sip, he heard a notification sound off from his phone. He took a glance and saw that it’s a voice message from JingYuan. JingYuan’s profile picture on the app made him chuckle no matter how many times he’d look at it. Ma nonchalantly peaked at YiHan’s screen then she looked at her youngest son’s face. Deep down, she let out a heavy sigh. She didn’t realise it before but ever since Yan and XueQing mentioned the possibility of YiHan being in love with JingYuan, she’d been keeping a close eye on every move and expression YiHan made. As expected, there were just so many signs like the reluctance from this morning’s parting and this grin that he couldn’t even hide properly.

Ma raised a hand and patted her little son on the head. “Slow down,” she gently said. “What’s with the rush? It’s just dessert.”

YiHan was wolfing down the soup so he could get back to his room and listen to JingYuan’s message. At Ma’s comment, he looked up, smiled and scooped more soup into his mouth. Aunt Yang was ecstatic to see the Little Master loving her soup. She happily poured another ladleful of soup into his bowl.

“There’s plenty left,” said Aunt Yang. “If you like it, then have some more.”

Shocked at having more soup to get through now, YiHan choked. He coughed and coughed and frightened Ma and Aunt Yang so much that they hurried over to smack his back and help the soup go down. In their panic, someone’s hand accidentally tapped on the notification on the phone and JingYuan’s voice soothing voice rang through the room.

“HanHan, what are you doing?” JingYuan’s message asked. “Are you home yet? What did you have for lunch?”

Finally, YiHan had stopped choking. He’d also let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness JingYuan didn’t say anything over the line. Still, the concerned mother tone JingYuan used really didn’t fit the man’s image. The image of JingYuan, all proper in his suit and in the office, saying something so demure househusband made YiHan chuckle once more.

He picked up his phone and spoke into it, “I just got home. I’m having some fruit dessert soup with Ma right now. What are you doing?”

JingYuan soon replied, “I’m working. I’m so envious. Have my portion for me? Once you’re done, remember to exercise a little. Then, you can go sleep.”

“Sleep right after eating? Do you think you’re raising a pig?” YiHan laughed.

The reply YiHan got was a low chuckle from JingYuan’s deep voice. “Of course not,” JingYuan said in the next message. “Who could bear to eat a piggy that looked like you?”

YiHan giggled. He left the room, bopping his head at Ma and Aunt Yang to announce his departure, and walked up the stairs back to his room. During the entire journey, he happily exchanged voice messages with JingYuan.

“Little Master sure is close to Mr Mu. I’ve never seen him ever talk this much with the Young Master,” Aunt Yang commented.

Ma: You’ve struck gold. They’re certainly very “close”. They’re so close they might as well be family.

She watched her giddy little son skip upstairs. If HanHan got better but JingYuan truly fell for him, they could just get together then. How nice would it be? Still, the thought made her feel so guilty.

The possible reaction her youngest son will have when he eventually finds out the perfect future he’d found was just a lie…it made her heart ache.

***

YiHan chatted with JingYuan for a few minutes before setting him free to get back to work. The strange frustration lurking within YiHan was soothed. Ever since he’d started dating JingYuan, they’d been by each other’s side nearly every waking moment. It’s been over half a day since they’d last seen each other. Frustration had been gradually building up in the back of his mind. He knew it wasn’t good for him to do that. Not even the most loving married couple could be together 24/7. For some reason though, the more grounded he felt when around JingYuan, the emptier he was when they’re parted. Sometimes he’d even think the perfect future ahead of them was just a façade, as if it’d all disappear when he woke up.

YiHan scrolled through this phone, replaying the messages JingYuan had just sent him over and over again. His ears were filled with JingYuan’s voice and his heart finally was at ease.

He must control myself, he told himself. He must do his best to adapt to the life he has now. He can’t let his family and JingYuan feel the unease within him. Everything right now was real. He had been reborn. He’d travelled back to the past before he was hurt. He should seize the chance granted by the gods to get stronger so he didn’t have to rely on his family’s protection to survive.

He looked down and stared at JingYuan’s profile picture once more. His lips started twitching upwards. Just then, his phone beeped with a new notification. He swiped out of the chat with JingYuan and looked at the notification. It was a friend request from Yan Pei.

He clicked “accept” and soon he received his first message from Yan Pei. First, it was a polite greeting asking how he was doing. Then, she said that she felt like they were destined to be friends. She hoped to be able to better their relationship and that they’d be best buds or something.

YiHan let out an amused huff. This girl is so straightforward. She’s so cute. Mn. It wasn’t a bad idea to have more friends. His brother did say he was quite bad at picking who to befriend. His friends often end up being drinking buddies who’re only ever bad influences or they’d be leeches leeching off him. It certainly was as Yan said upon reflection. Thus, since he’s been reborn, he’d cut off all ties with those “friends”. This one, however, felt like he’d be a good connection. It should be…good. Right? They didn’t talk much but Pei didn’t feel like a mean person. She was a carefree and honest girl.

Also, it was clear as day that the old Mr Yan loved his granddaughter dearly. There was nothing to be lost from making friends with the Yan family. YiHan’s somewhat dull mind whirred and eventually he received the “safe” signal. Happily, he then replied to Pei with a smiley sticker and a cheery “yeah!”.

On the other side of the chat, Pei squealed at the cute sticker YiHan replied with. Her heart quivered. How, oh, how are you so cute? This was the ultimate cute “bottom”! Oh gods, she was suffocating. As someone diagnosed with the terminal disease known as being a serious fujoshi, encountering an ultra-adorable bottom was the greatest thing to have ever happened to her. Wasn’t it? The first time she laid eyes on him in campus grounds, she knew he was a bottom. She had even written a smut novel featuring him as the main character. It’s over ten thousand characters long and was hidden deep within her hard drive. She didn’t think she’d meet him one more time. Upon closer inspection, he looked even more like a “bottom” than he was before! No, she can’t do it anymore! She. Must. Be. His. Friend!

Hmph! Her older brother, Yan Hui, was such a scrooge. He actually hid his husband and wouldn’t let her meet him. Fine, whatever. She won’t stare then. She had a new target now. Who’d care about him?

 Meanwhile, YiHan has discovered Yan Pei really was a talkative person. She chattered on and on and on. She might even be delirious with joy just having a one-sided with him where he didn’t reply at all. Still she wasn’t the kind of annoying chatterbox commonly found. Her chatter sounded like a hundred gorgeous birds tweeting. There was no risk of an awkward silence with her. She was also very funny. Her words frequently made YiHan burst out laughing. Time slipped by and the afternoon soon drew to an end.

JingYuan swiftly resolved all urgent paperwork. He picked up his suit and strode off, leaving behind the shadowy figure of his back to everyone in the Mu Group. Chen Hong reached out in the famed Erkang gesture, a hand stretched out in an attempt to stop his boss from leaving: Boss, stay a while longer. When you’re not around, I’d be run into the ground!

However, JingYuan can’t read his poor secretary’s mind. His determined strides brought him out of the office. He never looked back.

He returned to the Bai family home to find Ma watching television in the downstairs living room.

“Really, you. Why did you rush back in such a hurry?” Ma said with a smile. “You must have work just piling up.”

“It’s fine,” JingYuan replied with a smile of his own. “When HanHan’s not by my side, I just feel uneasy.”

“Are you all done with work?” Ma asked.

“Not yet,” said JingYuan. “I plan on taking HanHan with me to the office tomorrow. That way, I won’t be missing out on either of them. He might find it boring though.”

“That’s a good plan.” Ma nodded. “You won’t be skipping out on work then. You can’t be out of the office all the time. HanHan can’t go out and play now and he can’t just laze around at home all day long. It’d be good for him to go out with you. If he really gets bored, then go talk to him. He’s a very good kid these days.”

“I’d rather he wasn’t,” JingYuan sighed.

“Yes. HanHan was so much more carefree before. He was like a miniature sun. Wherever he went, he brought warmth and light with him,” Ma sighed as she nodded again. “Let’s not talk about it anymore. He’s upstairs. He hasn’t been down the whole afternoon. I wonder if he fell asleep. Go and check on him.”

JingYuan nodded and walked up to YiHan’s room. He knocked on the door and not long after, the door was opened. YiHan’s smiling face appeared from behind the door. His eyes were shining bright. He didn’t look like he had just woken up from a nap. The smile on YiHan’s face made JingYuan’s lips twitch up unwittingly.

“Were you waiting by the door?” JingYuan asked. “You’re so quick to the door.”

YiHan shifted to let JingYuan in. As he closed the door behind them, he said, “I knew it was you by the way you knocked on the door. Of course I’d be quick to open the door.”

“Oh?” JingYuan curiously asked. “You knew it was me just by how I knocked? How could you tell?”

YiHan cheerfully bustled about pouring a glass of water for JingYuan.

“The way you knock and the way you walk sound so very different to other people’s,” YiHan said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Naturally, I could tell.”

JingYuan felt like he was just shot through the heart with an arrow. It felt pleasantly numb. He had heard someone once said if couples could differentiate their partner’s footsteps from other people’s, that meant the love they held for each other was deeply ingrained into their bones. Everything about their other half would always be unique. His little lover knew him by the way he knocked. Was that proof YiHan truly loved him?

Overwhelmed by his emotions, JingYuan pulled YiHan into an embrace and lightly pecked him on the top of his head. In this very moment, he felt like he was the happiest man on earth.

YiHan blinked, dazed. Reflexively, his arms went around JingYuan’s waist. He didn’t know why his lover suddenly got so emotional. Still, a hug’s a hug. He leaned into the hug and rubbed his cheeks against JingYuan’s chest and took a deep breath, savouring his lover’s scent. It made him feel so much calmer and grounded.

Gentle silences were meant to be broken, however. A WeChat notification soon interrupted the pair of lovers. In the silent room, it sounded extraordinarily loud. It made YiHan flinch. He reached out and tapped into the notification. It’s from Yan Pei:

Last night, there was a power outage at the university. So they had to let us go early. By the time we reached the school gates, the power suddenly came back on. Everyone began sprinting out of the campus. At that moment, I felt like I’d just won a race against light.

A chuckle burst out of YiHan. He raised his phone up to show the message to JingYuan. “Look at this,” he said while laughing. “It’s hilarious.”

JingYuan read through the message but he still didn’t understand what was so funny about it. He pulled YiHan closer. The younger man was still busy laughing.

“Who is it?” JingYuan asked. “Who’d message you jokes?”

Translator’s Notes:

1. Best buds: Beijing slang (铁磁) which means “bros” or “best bros”. As with the English translation, this term is solely (often) used between male friends. MTL might translate it as “ferromagnetic/magnetic”.
2. Amused huff/chuckle: The writer likes to write “smile” for a lot of things. It’s mostly a Chinese-language issue though. It’s often only implicitly told whether it’s an actual smile, smirk, chuckle, huff or laugh.
3. Terminal disease known as being a serious fujoshi: The actual line reads “as someone with terminal fujoshi-ism” with “fujoshi-ism” being a mashed up word of “fujo” from the word fujoshi and the “disease” character commonly used for cancer.
4. Erkang gesture:
   

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103. Expert in Gomoku

“Feng Qun’s dead. The other four men insist the kidnapping was just born out of a grudge between YiHan and Feng Qun. The mastermind behind it all was Feng Qun,” FuRen solemnly said.

“How did Feng Qun die?” asked a frowning Yan Cheng.

“During a time when he was all alone in his room, he shattered his glass of water and used one of the shards to slit his throat. The nurses couldn’t save him in time. The nurse who first found him said there was blood everywhere. Half of the room was stained red,” FuRen replied. When he heard of how Feng Qun died, his body went cold with fear. All his mind could think about was how his youngest son had tried to commit suicide using the same method.

“From the way he cowered that evening, he doesn’t seem like someone who’d kill himself,” the old Mr Yan mused as he stroked his beard. “Have you investigated everyone he’d been in contact with yet?”

“We have,” FuRen said with a nod. “But we found nothing. Now that he’s dead, the others have been keeping their mouths shut tight. They are criminals after all.”

“That’s quite troublesome,” the old Mr Yan said.

The conversation had brought the air in the room down to a heavy stutter. Upon sensing it, YiHan smiled and interjected, “No matter how troublesome a problem is, there’ll always be a way to resolve it. We must believe in Captain Chen.”

“True, true,” the old Mr Yan guffawed. “You’re so young yet you’re so calm and steady. You certainly know how the world works. Yes, you’ve got a good head.”

A bead of sweat trickled down the back of FuRen’s head. He knew his family well. He particularly knew just what kind of person his youngest son was. Calm? Steady? Even as an audience, he could feel his face flushing from embarrassment.

YiHan let out a little chuckle through pursed lips. His dimples flickered in and out of sight. “Pardon me. It’s my first time visiting and I didn’t know what you like, sir. I got you a Go game set. Is it to your liking?”

Yan Cheng went pale. His father loved to play Go. However, the old man was a sore loser and a sore winner. If he won, he’d scold his opponent for being dumb. If he lost, he’d get mad. He also loved takebacks. Every time Cheng played chess with his father, he’d suffer so much that he wished he were dead. If the old Mr Yan took a liking to this new chess set, Cheng would be captured for several rounds now.

Oblivious to his son’s sorrow, the old Mr Yan happily exclaimed, “How could I not like it? I love Go the most. Come, show it to me.”

YiHan rose and placed the Go game set on the coffee table in front of the old Mr Yan. The board was stained with deep glossy amber lacquer. It shone and shimmered under the sunlight. The stones were made of jade. They were delicate and chill to the touch. The bowls were made of the same wood and lacquered with the same amber shade as the board, but their finishing was matte. It made them look even more exquisite.

Truthfully, this Go game set wasn’t worth much but it showed how much thought YiHan had placed in selecting his gift. The Yan family is a rich and powerful force. How could they lack anything? The old Mr Yan was now an old man. All he wanted now was merely sincerity.

The old Mr Yan took a stone and fiddled with it. Then, he joyfully said, “Come, play a round with me.”

Yan Cheng, a face full of deep-seated exhaustion, was about to stand up when the old Mr Yan barked at him, “You stay and talk to FuRen. I don’t like playing with you. You’re bad at it and you’re so rude during the game!”

Yan Cheng: …May I ask you something? Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?

The old Mr Yan patted YiHan on the shoulder and said, “Let’s go, young YiHan. Let’s go play a round.”

“Grandpa Yan, I don’t know how to play,” he awkwardly replied as he slowly stood up.

“It’s fine,” the old Mr Yan kindly said. “I’ll teach you.”

“Go looks really hard. I’m afraid I can’t really get it in just one round,” YiHan said, scratching his head.

 The old Mr Yan paused and thought about it. “True. It’d take you a while to learn Go now. Well, what games do you know then?” he asked.

“Gomoku?” YiHan tentatively asked.

When he saw the old Mr Yan staring blankly at him in confusion, he explained, “It’s a remarkably simple game. Both players take turns putting down a stone each. The first person to line up five stones in a row, wins. Be it horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

Excited realisation visibly dawned the old Mr Yan’s face. “It sounds quite interesting,” he said, ushering YiHan over to the small table placed beside the window. “Come, come. Let’s try it out.”

As YiHan is younger, the old Mr Yan generously let him play black, the first to go. Unbeknownst to himself, the old Mr Yan was a bad player. However, YiHan was worse. The only people he’d ever beaten in strategic board games like chess were his family members and JingYuan. That’s because they would wreck their brains and do their best to let him win so he’d be happy.

Place two bad players on the same chessboard and, unexpectedly, a fierce tug-of-war would occur. Both old and young eyes focused hard on the board and stones before them. It actually felt like a game between two expert players. There would never be a clear winner. It was a very thrilling scene to watch.

Cheng and FuRen looked at each other and traded exasperated smiles. Yan Cheng could see just how ecstatic his father was by today’s guests. Perhaps they should invite the Bai family child over more often. The young boy sure can cheer his old father up.

Mrs Yan and Ma Bai chatted away amicably in a corner. Yan Cheng and Bai FuRen discussed about their businesses. The old man and young man bent over a Go board, intently competing against each other under the bright morning rays. It was a harmonious sight to behold.

Time flew by and noon was inching closer. If the Bai family stayed any longer, they’d be having lunch with the Yan family. Ma Bai shot a glance at FuRen. It was about time for them to leave, wasn’t it?

FuRen then side-eyed the pair happily playing away at Gomoku as if to say, I want to go too. But look how into the game these two are. If we interrupt them, it’d be rude, right?

Ma raised a brow: What do we do then? We’re here to thank the Yan family. Are we going to mooch a meal off them now?

FuRen glanced back at her with a helpless look: What can I do? I’m also at a loss!

As the Bai couple’s silent conversation came to a standstill, footsteps echoed from the front door.

“I’m back, Grandfather!” a girl’s voice cheerfully called out.

The old Mr Yan and YiHan had just finished another round of Gomoku. YiHan was hanging his head over his defeat while Mr Yan was proudly puffing his chest at his win.

“You’re back, Pei-Pei? Come over to Grandfather!” the old Mr Yan said, laughing.

YiHan turned and saw a young girl walking over to them. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with her long hair tied up in a high ponytail. With a cheery and cute face, fair and slightly flushed skin, and a pair of wide eyes which glistened and danced so playfully that a prank could be pounce any moment now, she was the prime example of youth.

As Yan Pei walked over to her grandfather, she greeted Ma and Pa Bai. She seemed like a nice and sweet girl but when she looked over at YiHan, he saw…green light gleaming in them?

“YiHan-ge,” Yan Pei greeted with a smile.

Oh, my. That soft, sweet little “ge” spoken by a girl made YiHan’s little heart keel over. It was just so cute. For a moment, YiHan felt a sense of pride and responsibility. He felt like an older brother. He finally understood what his older siblings felt around him now.

However, this beautiful sight wasn’t perfect. Why was there something off about her smile, something that made his hair stand? Was he just mistaken?

The two actually knew each other before this meeting. They studied in the same university. YiHan was in the batch earlier than Pei. So while they knew each other, they rarely talked.

“Ms Yan Pei,” YiHan politely greeted back.

“You don’t need to be such a stranger, YiHan-ge,” Pei giggled. “You can just call me Pei-Pei.”

YiHan had no choice but to greet her again, “Pei-Pei.”

Only then was Yan Pei satisfied.

The old Mr Yan was in a great mood then so he pulled Pei over. “Look, Pei-Pei,” he said, pointing to the finished game on the Go board. “Your YiHan-ge is also an expert in Gomoku. It took me a lot of effort to defeat him!”

Yan Cheng, Kong Wen, Bai FuRen, Hua XiaoRan, Bai YiHan: Figurative black lines streaked down foreheads as awkward silence reigned.

Pei stared down at the messy Go board; a slender finger curled under her chin. “Grandpa,” she said. “You two are too experienced. I don’t understand this at all.”

“It’s fine,” the old Mr Yan said. “Have your YiHan-ge teach you later. Once you know how to play the game, you’ll understand it.”

For all that YiHan’s a rotten player at Gomoku, he knew just how bad he was. What the old Mr Yan said was so awkward and embarrassing that his pale cheeks were stained red.

He looked up at Pei, only to see the green gleam in her eye that she’d yet to blink away in time. He could feel his behind clench hard at it. But by the time he tried to search for it again, Yan Pei was back to her cutesy girl-next-door image. Perhaps he was overthinking it.

“Mr Yan,” FuRen addressed with a smile. “Thanks is not enough for what you’ve done for YiHan. It was all thanks to your help he’s fine. If you have any need, please just call for me. It’s getting late now. We should head back. We’ll come visit you another day.”

“You just arrived and now you want to leave?” the old Mr Yan sighed. “I’m a retired old man. What could I need you for? I’d rather have YiHan play a few rounds with me!”

Ma Bai: …we’ve been here for the whole morning. We didn’t just arrive.

“Mr Yan, it’s YiHan’s honour to have your esteemed regard,” FuRen said with a gentlemanly smile. “If you don’t think he’s too bothersome, I’ll have him come over often to play with you.”

“Fine, have him come over whenever he’s free,” the old Mr Yan said, finally pacified. “I’m old. I just like it when it’s lively.”

“Little YiHan, do you like playing over at my place? My chef knows how to cook a lot of delicious food,” the old Mr Yan asked YiHan, eyes squinting as he grinned. He looked just like the Big Bad Wolf enticing the innocent little rabbit.

Bai YiHan, the tiny bunny, had just started nodding when the old Mr Yan immediately slapped his leg as he glanced at the clock.

“Aah,” the old Mr Yan exclaimed. “It’s nearly time for lunch all of a sudden. FuRen, how about you and your family stay and have lunch first? Cheng, look at you. I’m an old foggy, are you one too? Hurry up. Kong Wen, go tell the kitchens to prepare more food!”

Kong Wen responded in affirmative and left for the kitchens.

FuRen: …

Then, just as FuRen was about to say something, the old Mr Yan hurriedly spoke, “FuRen, sit. And you, XiaoRan, girl, sit down. Let’s talk until lunch is ready.”

Ma Bai opened her mouth to speak when the old Mr Yan sternly interrupted once more, “Come now. It’s the first time young YiHan came over. I can’t have him going home hungry, can I? The kid’s body is still growing. He can’t go hungry.”

Ma Bai: …what you said made so much sense that I’m speechless!

YiHan: …I’m an adult, okay? How am I a kid? I don’t have a growing body!

Pei and Cheng looked at each other, their lips pursed as they did their best to suppress their laughter: Father’s/Grandpa’s shameless ways never fail!

The three helpless members of the Bai family were forced to stay for lunch. YiHan played a few more rounds of Gomoku with the old Mr Yan. The whole time, the old man had a smile on his face. The entire time during lunch, YiHan would feel a gaze boring into him, scanning him up and down. It made him uneasy but whenever he looked up to catch the person doing it, the gaze would disappear. It was as if everything was just his imagination.

After lunch, the Bai family was asked to stay behind for some tea before they were finally allowed to leave. When their car exited the Yan family manor gates, all three of them simultaneously wiped away the non-existent sweat off their brows and let out a long sigh.

“They always say the elderly are like old kids. They’re not wrong,” Ma commented with a smile.

FuRen nodded in agreement.

Translator’s Notes:

1. Go game set: Previously translated to chess. It’s only elaborated in this chapter that it’s a go game set instead. This is because 棋 (qi) could mean various types of board games – chess, checkers, draughts, Baduk/Go/Weiqi, etc.
2. Ge: Suffix for brother. Commonly used as a term of respect and/or affection for males older than the person regardless of relation.

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102. When Did You Become so Naughty?

JingYuan blinked. His face was so close that YiHan could clearly see those long lashes sweep down like two luxurious fans. YiHan’s heart twitched with every stroke of those eyelashes. Then, he heard his boyfriend’s deep voice say, “Would there be secrets between us still? I’d be so terribly upset if so.”

Mesmerised by the beauty before his eyes, YiHan’s mind swooned. “There’s no secret,” YiHan’s dazed voice said. “I just called Jiang-ge to ask him help me investigate all of XueQing’s suitors.”

“What are you investigating them for?” JingYuan curiously asked, pulling back slightly.

It was only then that YiHan snapped back to his senses and realised his lips had let slip what he’d been doing. This Mu JingYuan must be an impostor! He actually used his own beauty to seduce him into speaking! Was this still the President Mu who would only ever have a slight smile on? The one whose smile would never reach his eyes?

YiHan’s eyes whirled and darted around. “I was just thinking,” he spurted. “XueQing and TianYang are together now. Would there be one of those extremist suitors who’d try and splash TianYang with acid or something. I’ve seen it happen on television.”

JingYuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Dramas are always overexaggerating,” he said. “How could there be so many insane people in real life?”

YiHan: There truly are! I guarantee it! But he won’t be throwing acid around. He’d try and attempt murder by car!

However, YiHan couldn’t say that. All he could do was drily laugh along and say, “It’s just a precaution. It’s always better to be careful.”

At that, JingYuan went quiet. His arms retreated from the back of the chair to wrap around YiHan. His hand gently patted the younger man on the back. “I know,” he comforted. “The kidnapping terrified you. You’re still scared from it. I am too. I keep thinking everything and everyone is an enemy lately. You’re right. It’s best to be careful. You have to promise me though. From now on, if you ever feel scared or upset, you must tell me. Don’t force yourself to act as if you’re fine and nothing’s going on. It’ll only make my heart ache. I’d feel so very useless.”

Warmth blossomed in YiHan. He hugged JingYuan back. “I understand,” he mumbled into JingYuan’s chest. “How could you be useless? You’re the best. You were so very handsome that day when you charged in and stood before me. I don’t think I’ll ever forget about it.”

JingYuan chuckled as the two remained locked in an embrace. YiHan could clearly feel JingYuan’s chest rumble and those powerful thumps vibrating through the older man’s chest. All of those made him feel so safe and secure that he wished they could continue the hug until the end of time, never to part.

JingYuan dotingly continued his light patting. “Alright,” he said. “Go change up. Your parents are going to take you to visit the old Mr Yan later. To thank him. He had a hand in your rescue. Chen Jing and Fang Yi was only assigned to your case after Mr Yan pressured the police force. You were only rescued on time because we had them on the team. The old Mr Yan’s not us. There’s no tie between you and him. He’s helped us so much that we owe him a big favour.”

“I should really go thank him in person then,” YiHan nodded and said. “What present should I prepare?”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” JingYuan replied, a hand reaching up to smooth down YiHan’s hair. “Your parents have already prepared a gift. Actually, on the night you were rescued, your father had called the old Mr Yan to thank him already. Your parents and I also went to thank him in person when you were hospitalised, but the one being rescued was you. You’re fine now. Naturally, you’ll have to visit him yourself. Tie all loose ends up into a happy ending.”

“It’s what I should do,” YiHan said with a serious nod.

JingYuan looked down at the younger man. Eventually, he caved into the urge and hugged him hard once more before turning around to help YiHan look for an outfit. He might be a pervert, he thought to himself. Why else would he find every single one of YiHan’s expressions to be ridiculously adorable? Before they started dating, he could still control himself. Now, he was losing hold of that control.

When YiHan turned and changed into his new outfit, JingYuan’s eyes stayed locked onto the skin exposed. His gazing burning into it until, at last, he gave in and pushed YiHan onto the bed for a passionate make out session. He only let YiHan free when the other man’s nipples were nearly suckled swollen. JingYuan felt like he’d been transformed into a depraved amalgamation of touch deprivation and a rabid kissing monster. The self-control he was so proud of had long since left him, particularly whenever YiHan would look at him with an innocent face. Every cell in his body screamed at him to pounce.

If they didn’t have proper business to attend to later, JingYuan would’ve loved to have his little one right then and there. But reality is cruel. Ma and Pa were still waiting downstairs. He did his best to calm down his breathing. As he inhaled and exhaled in sharp bursts, he helped YiHan smarten up with as best of a poker face as he could muster. From now on, he will stay far away whenever YiHan was changing. There’s nothing worse than being able to see him but not gobble him up!

YiHan blushed bright red. He didn’t know where to put his hands. The “calm” look on JingYuan’s face made him think perhaps he was overreacting. They’re lovers. It’s normal to be affectionate with each other. YiHan, oh YiHan, you can’t be so shy like a little girl. Act like the boyfriend you are!

Whatever. YiHan then nonchalantly pecked JingYuan, who’d finally calmed down, on the corner of his lips, patted JingYuan on the back at the waist, and left the room with his head held high. (He’d wanted to pat JingYuan on the butt but he didn’t really dare do it at the last minute. Mn. He’ll pat JingYuan on the butt next time.)

JingYuan: …HanHan, when did you become so naughty?

While JingYuan told YiHan his parents would be preparing a gift for the old Mr Yan so he didn’t need to worry about it, YiHan still felt that it was better to personally pick a gift out. The old man at the party looked so kind and affectionate. After all, the most important part about the gift was the intent. The old Mr Yan would lack for nothing, especially with his social status. YiHan thought about it and rummaged around his belongings for a Go game set. This was a present he’d planned on giving his grandfather during his birthday. They’re both old men. Most of them have the same hobbies. Perhaps the old Mr Yan would like this. He’ll just get another set for his grandfather later.

At the thought of his grandfather, YiHan’s heart throbbed. He had yet to see his grandfather since his rebirth. The kidnapping was also kept a secret from him. After all, Grandpa loved him the most. They were all afraid they’d scare him too badly and he’d collapse. In YiHan’s past life, Grandpa died because he was so furious at YiHan that he had a stroke. YiHan’s greatest regret was his grandfather. Thus, no matter how much he missed Grandpa, he felt too ashamed to see him. However, Grandpa’s birthday was soon. No matter what YiHan thought, he would have to face him one day.

With heavy heart and mind, YiHan followed Ma and Pa into the car. JingYuan stood by the car window.

“HanHan, when you’re at the Yan family home with your parents, I’ll be heading into the office. They just called me. There’s something I needed to do,” said JingYuan.

YiHan pursed his lips. “Will you…will you be back tonight?” he asked.

JingYuan had planned on coming back the next morning but at the sight of a droopy YiHan, he instantly changed his mind and said, “Of course. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done.”

YiHan perked up and smiled. “If you’re busy…”

JingYuan reached through the window and straightened YiHan’s collar, saying, “It’s nothing important. I’ll be back before dinner, latest. The only one at home is me. If I go back, it’s rather lonely.”

(Chen Hong: Boss, don’t you feel guilty saying that? Nothing important? How long has it been since you came to properly work? There’s a mountain of important documents waiting for you, okay?)

YiHan nodded. “Then don’t go back. Our guest rooms would be free anyway,” he said, sympathy in his eyes.

JingYuan smiled back and waved at YiHan. “Well, see you tonight.”

“See you tonight,” YiHan said. His eyes stayed on the other man’s figure as the car drove off and out of sight.

Ma and Pa looked at each other and sighed at the same time.

At the Yan family manor, Yan Cheng and his wife were waiting for the Bai family at the door. After a brief session of polite niceties, the couple ushered the Bai family into the main living room.

The old Mr Yan’s wife passed away at a young age. She left behind two sons and a daughter. Yan Cheng, the eldest son, married the only daughter of the Kong family, Kong Wen. The couple then gave birth to two sons, Yan Hui and Yan Yan. Yan Cheng’s eldest son, Yan Hui, was an excellent man. He was the top of his generation but he insisted on marrying a man. That both exasperated and enraged the whole Yan family. On the other hand, Yan Cheng’s second son, Yan Yan, was average. The issue was he’s so average that he blended into the crowd.

The old Mr Yan’s second son, Yan Ping, was a government official. He held a rather high post and had wed Zhou Xiao, a university teacher of no particular background. The two only had one daughter, Yan Pei. The girl had a fiery temper that often gave her family migraines.

Old Mr Yan’s only daughter, Yan Miao, married the eldest son of the He family, He Yuan. He Yuan was quite a handsome man but he always gave off the impression of greasy fried food that left a slimy, oily feeling on one’s tongue. The old Mr Yan wasn’t happy about the marriage back then but his beloved daughter loved the man. So, he gave his blessings. Yan Miao then gave birth to a daughter, He YingYing, and a son, He Rong. Because of that, she was well-respected by her in-laws.

Yan Ping and his wife had their own property. They’d rarely be seen at the Yan family manor. They only ever shooed their bored daughter over to spend some time with her grandfather. A son wouldn’t spend much time at their old family home, let alone a married off daughter like Yan Miao. After her wedding, the times she’d be seen in her old home dwindled. She would only ever visit during the major festivities and whenever she needed something from her father.

Yan Cheng was a filial son. Not only did he refuse to move out of the family manor, he did his best to be home on time every evening. He did everything himself for his father. Because Yan Hui married a man, he and his family got into a fight. So they too moved out. Hence, only the old Mr Yan, Yan Cheng and his wife lived in the great Yan family manor. Yan Yan worked at his own company.

After the initial greetings, Kong Wen, Yan Cheng’s wife, pulled Ma aside to chat.

The old Mr Yan then waved YiHan over. He patted the seat beside him and said, “YiHan? Child, come here.”

YiHan walked over, sat down by the old Mr Yan and smiled at him. “How are you, Grandpa Yan?”

The old Mr Yan returned YiHan’s smile with a benevolent one of his own. “Good,” he said. “I’m an old man savouring the last years of my tranquil life. What could be bad about my life? As for you, are you okay? All healed up?”

“They’re just light wounds,” YiHan sweetly replied. “I’m all fine now. I came this time to thank you, Grandpa Yan. I could only return safely because of your help.”

The old man patted him on the hand and said, “It’s good that you’re all fine now. You don’t need to come here just to thank me. I merely made a phone call. First impressions are all humans are about. The first time I laid eyes on you, I knew you were a good kid. Of course I’d help you if you’re in danger.” Then, he turned to FuRen. “What about the kidnappers? How’s the investigation going?”

“Nothing yet,” FuRen glumly replied.

The Old Mr Yan frowned. “How could there be nothing after so long?” he asked.

Translator’s Notes:

1. Shy like a girl: It’s been a while so here’s another reminder that JingYuan’s acting rather predatory here and caving into pressure like YiHan isn’t healthy for the relationship. In this instance, it’s less “wrong” because it’s YiHan convincing himself and we all know YiHan’s not all okay in the head. However, JingYuan’s behaviour (suckling on nipples without prior warning) can get you smacked in the head with sexual assault accusations if your significant other isn’t into it. Communication is key. If you don’t like it, speak up. If you’re worried you might’ve done something wrong, ask. Mistakes and miscommunications can lead to a Bad End for you and your relationship.
2. Yan Yan: They’re pronounced the same, just different characters (Yán Yán). It’s a terrible naming choice as we also have a Bai Yan. Never name your characters like this.
3. Go game set: Previously translated as chess.

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