He Chusan was a straightforward man, one who kept his word. True to his promise, he actually began a “romance” with Xiao He. On Saturday afternoon, they arranged to meet at the entrance of Tanxiang Pavilion. He Chusan wore a pair of pseudo-elite spectacles, tucked a secondhand briefcase under his arm, and dressed in a cheap suit—yet with his tall, upright figure, he stood among the flock of painted girls like a crane among “chickens.” Amid the teasing laughter of the other women, he smiled shyly, took Xiao He’s hand, and openly led her away.
“Does this count as unpaid leave or paid outing?” the lobby manager asked Cui Dongdong.
“Of course it counts as an outing,” General Manager Cui replied. “VIP special service—double the fee. Put it on the boss’s tab!”
At that very moment, Boss Xia, sitting in the headquarters office, suddenly let out an earth-shattering sneeze! He grabbed a tissue to blow his nose, rubbed his reddened nostrils, and felt thoroughly irritable.
Proud of his robust health, Boss Xia had dared to sleep on the sofa in nothing but a shirt in Christmas weather. The next morning, after being thoroughly angered by that damned He Chusan, the cold outside and fire within struck together, and by that afternoon he had developed a fever. He neither informed his subordinates nor went to the hospital—he couldn’t even be bothered to take medicine. Wrapping himself in a blanket, he collapsed at home and slept for two whole days, sweating out damp, foul-smelling perspiration. As soon as his temperature dropped, he deemed himself ninety percent recovered and calmly returned to the company to inspect operations—blowing his nose the whole time.
Xiao Ma eagerly called to report, “Boss! That kid surnamed He really went on a ‘date’ with Xiao He.”
Xia Liuyi sniffed loudly, full of imposing presence. “Send someone to keep a close eye on him. I want to see how he ‘dates.’ If he dares play any tricks, drag him back to me immediately!”
“Yes!”
Xiao Ma had ears everywhere and learned the Christmas gossip at once. Unfortunately, his insight was nowhere near Cui Dongdong’s—he failed to detect anything unusual. He simply assumed Boss Xia had kindly invited the boy to “open his horizons” and that He Chusan was just being troublesome. Thus, he stubbornly tried to curry favor by offering to deal with that brat.
“Boss, I think that kid is really no good! You kindly brought him to Tanxiang Pavilion to broaden his horizons, and he dares bite the hand that feeds him—trying to steal your girl! If you ask me, just sack him, toss him into the basement, lock a few Russian girls in there and force him—”
“Get the hell out!” Xia Liuyi cursed thickly through his nasal congestion. “Who told you Xiao He is my girl? Just because I’ve slept with her a few times she’s mine?! If I sleep with you tonight, does that make you mine?! And Russian girls? I hate Russian girls the most! Strip them and it’s all hair—what’s the use?! Always coming up with rotten ideas… Achoo!”
Xiao Ma, sprayed with spit through the receiver, hung up awkwardly and vented his frustration on his subordinates at the mahjong table nearby. “Damn it! Who just set off that cannon?! Get up and take my place!”
Under the gentle winter sun, Manager Ma sat outside his billiards hall, sleeves rolled up as he played mahjong, inwardly lamenting—I’ll never meddle again. The boss treats that kid like his own son now—might as well let him change his surname to Xia Chusan. If I can’t deal with it, can’t I at least avoid it?!
In truth, Manager Ma could neither deal with it nor avoid it. Whatever happened on He Chusan’s side, he still had to report dutifully. “Boss, that kid took Xiao He into a department store.”
“Achoo! What did he buy?”
“Just a greeting card for her. Cheap crap!”
“Cut the nonsense. Keep following.”
Not long after, another call came. “Boss, that kid took Xiao He to the cinema.”
“What did they watch?”
“Looks like Days of Being Wild.”
“Achoo!” Haven’t we seen that already? “Keep following.”
Two hours later: “Boss, that kid is buying street food for Xiao He.”
“What did he buy?”
“Fish balls and egg waffles. Damn poor brat!”
“Achoo!”
Boss Xia hung up, forced himself to continue reviewing accounts. By the time the sun dipped low and the sky filled with evening glow, his head was spinning when the phone rang again.
Frowning, he dug his brick phone out from a pile of used tissues. “Where to now?”
“Ah Hua’s Ice Room. That kid sneaked Xiao He into the kitchen and stayed there for an hour.”
“Doing ‘things’ in there?”
“Not sure about that… but it looks like he personally cooked a whole table of dishes for her…”
“Achoo—!”
Xia Liuyi let out a thunderous sneeze, dizziness washing over him—then he hurled the phone away!
“Fuck!”
A greeting card, a movie, snacks, cooking a meal—exactly the same sequence. And that line: “A relationship should begin with dates.”
—That damned brat clearly knew he was being followed and was deliberately hinting that what they had done before was no different from “dating”!
Boss Xia leaned back and kicked the desk, sending piles of used tissues scattering everywhere!
Damn you, He Chusan!
“Achoo!”
The internal fire in Boss Xia surged violently, and that night his fever returned with a vengeance. Without a word, he went home, ate two bowls of beef offal, and went straight to sleep, hoping to cure everything in one rest—but nearly slept himself into oblivion. By noon the next day, his bodyguards, unable to get a response, thought he had been assassinated. They forced the door open and found him wrapped in blankets, burning like a piece of charcoal. Even half-conscious, he managed to reach for his gun and disengage the safety with deadly precision, ready to shoot anyone who approached. Fortunately, his bodyguards had learned well from Xiao Ma—when unnecessary sacrifice loomed, each dodged faster than the next.
Cui Dongdong rushed in with a private doctor, drove the shaken guards out, and decisively disarmed and subdued Boss Xia for treatment. It wasn’t that she was necessarily more skilled—it was simply that she dared to strike him ruthlessly at the back of the neck and shout, “Damn it! Stay still for me!”
When Xia Liuyi woke, Cui Dongdong was sprawled wide-legged on a stool by the bed, blowing smoke rings toward the wall, now riddled with fresh bullet holes.
“Boss, do you even know what it means to be unable to take care of yourself?” she said earnestly through the haze of smoke. “You’re the perfect example. Before you casually get our Dragon Head killed, please—for heaven’s sake—find yourself a companion!”
Annoyed, Xia Liuyi pulled the blanket over his head with the hand still hooked to an IV.
“I think that kid surnamed He is pretty decent—smart and attentive. At least with him around, you won’t starve or die of illness. Why not make do with him?”
“Shut up. Get out,” Boss Xia ordered hoarsely from under the blanket.
Deputy Hall Master Cui said no more and left with flair.
That very evening, Xiao Ma showed up at dinnertime carrying a lavish food box—only this time, He Chusan followed behind him, still wearing that little backpack.
Xia Liuyi was leaning crookedly against the headboard, smoking and watching TV. The moment he saw them, his gaze turned into knives aimed straight at Xiao Ma.
Xiao Ma shrank his neck. “Boss! This has nothing to do with me! Hey, kid—explain yourself!” He dropped the food box and fled at lightning speed.
“I heard from Xiao He that you’re sick,” He Chusan said quietly, lowering his eyes. “I came to check on you, Brother Liuyi.”
Xia Liuyi shot him a weak glare, too lazy to respond. Only a handful of trusted subordinates knew he was bedridden—Xiao He certainly didn’t qualify.
—Without a doubt, this was Cui Dongdong’s doing again.
Lowering his gaze, He Chusan obediently took out a large iron thermos wrapped in cotton cloth from his little backpack. Upon opening it, the rich aroma of preserved egg and lean pork congee instantly filled the entire room. He ladled a bowl and placed it on the bedside table, then opened the luxurious food box Xiao Ma had brought—inside was a full assortment of side dishes, along with a large bowl of plain congee.
“Brother Liuyi, will you have plain congee or preserved egg pork congee?”
Xia Liuyi didn’t even look at him, casually dragging the bowl of preserved egg congee in front of himself. It wasn’t that he meant to show He Chusan any favor—given the choice between meat and plain, who would choose plain?
He Chusan then took out a small oil-paper packet from his bag. Inside was an unappealing lump of pickled vegetables. “My father made these dried pickled radishes. They don’t look great, but they’re quite fragrant. Give them a try.”
Xia Liuyi ignored him, only reaching his chopsticks toward the golden jade cabbage dish in Xiao Ma’s spread.
He Chusan quietly sat on a stool beside him, watching over him as he ate. After Xia Liuyi slurped down an entire bowl of congee, He Chusan stepped forward and refilled it. Seeing that the boss had eaten his fill and his mood seemed slightly improved, he finally spoke.
“Brother Liuyi, I’m sorry. That night, I shouldn’t have argued with you.”
Xia Liuyi paused his chopsticks, saying nothing, merely lifting his eyes to look at him expressionlessly.
He didn’t speak, but his meaning was obvious—was their issue really about arguing? Stop pretending, He Chusan!
He Chusan met his gaze calmly, his expression open and guileless, his tone sincere and earnest, as though truly repenting. “Xiao He is a good girl. I’m very happy being with her. Thank you, Brother Liuyi.”
Xia Liuyi frowned slightly, scanning him up and down several times, yet finding not a single flaw in this “actor’s” performance. In the end, he let out a cold snort through his nose, accepting both the apology and the thanks.
—As long as this brat returned to the proper path, and stopped being possessed by wild, demonic thoughts, Xia Liuyi could still reluctantly keep him as his lackey.
—Though he seriously doubted whether the brat had truly returned to the “proper path.”
As he drank his second bowl of congee, he cast sidelong glances at He Chusan. This time, the boy was clearly more restrained. He no longer sneaked looks at him with those furtive eyes. After apologizing and receiving that cold snort, he seemed reassured, turning his attention to the television with genuine interest.
After watching intently for quite some time, he finally seemed to remember there was a boss in the room who needed attending. Turning back, he asked, “Brother Liuyi, is there enough food? Do you want anything else?”
Xia Liuyi waved his hand casually, signaling no. He Chusan took the hint and didn’t press further, simply nudging the paper packet of pickles closer. Xia Liuyi poked at it with his chopsticks, disdainfully picking out a small piece and putting it in his mouth—
—that counted as reconciliation.
After serving him through the meal, He Chusan tidied up the bowls and food box. Just as he was about to leave, he hesitated. “Brother Liuyi, are you free next weekend? There’s a new movie…”
“No,” Xia Liuyi cut him off decisively, determined to snuff out any budding ambiguity. Before the brat “opened his horizons”, he wanted no private contact with him. “Go with your girl.”
“Xiao He isn’t my girl yet,” He Chusan said shyly. “We’ve only just started dating. I’ll go watch it with her first—if it’s good, I’ll tell you.”
“Forget it. I’ve been busy lately,” Xia Liuyi replied. “If there’s nothing, don’t come bother me.”
“Alright,” He Chusan said. His expression remained pure and calm, showing no trace of disappointment. “Then I won’t disturb you, Brother Liuyi. I’ll be going. Take care of yourself, and rest well. And… stop smoking.”
Xia Liuyi snorted—meaning shut up and get lost.
After He Chusan’s quiet footsteps faded downstairs, Xia Liuyi grabbed a cigarette from the bedside table, lit it, and took a long drag. Staring at the television for a while, he suddenly felt inexplicably irritable.
—That damned brat hadn’t shown a single flaw just now. When talking about Xiao He, he even seemed to blush. Could he really have changed so quickly?!
He stubbed his cigarette and pressed the bedside phone. “A-Yong? Has that kid left?”
“Just left not long ago, Boss.”
“Did he ask you anything?”
“No. He didn’t speak to anyone.”
Xia Liuyi stared at the pitch-black window outside, his expression shifting unpredictably. After a long pause, A-Yong called out, “Boss?”
“Drive after him and send him home.” It was late—walking back to Kowloon City wasn’t safe.
“Yes!”
“…Wait!”
“Any other orders, Boss?”
“…Don’t send him.”
Boss Xia forced himself to harden his heart—he couldn’t treat that brat too well, or he’d get the wrong idea again!
……
Boss Xia hadn’t been lying about being busy. After Christmas, he truly plunged into work again. Barely resting a full day in bed, he had to get up with a grim face and take charge. Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
The mastermind behind the disturbances on his territory still hadn’t been found. Meanwhile, the elders’ complaints about his rapid expansion, growing enemies, and attracting police attention increased by the day. On one side, Xia Liuyi had Cui Dongdong placate the elders; on the other, his campaigns of fighting and seizing territory never stopped.
His main target, Fat Seven, clashed with him again before the New Year. Xia Liuyi led his men to smash several of Fat Seven’s establishments. He deliberately sent the red pole planted by Elder Ge to lead the charge. Not only did the man survive unscathed, he performed admirably—destroying three of Fat Seven’s nightclubs and even bringing back a sack of cash.
Xia Liuyi summoned that red pole to a hot spring. The bathhouse was cleared, leaving only the two of them in the vast pool.
Boss Xia lounged lazily against the edge, a damp towel covering his face. His bare upper body was covered in old scars, now flushed dark red from the hot water, looking especially ferocious across his well-defined frame.
The man was startled upon entering, seeing the scars covering Boss Xia. Remembering the legend of the “Black Children’s Day, Twin-Blade Blood Asura”, a chill ran down his spine. He realized this boss had truly fought his way out of mountains of blades and seas of blood—no exaggeration.
Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stepped into the water nervously.
The steam filled the room, the heat softening his bones. Xia Liuyi still sat opposite him, broad and steady, saying nothing. The silence only made him more uneasy.
At last, Xia Liuyi spoke, his voice low and indifferent. “Your nickname is Big Scarhead?”
Big Scarhead straightened his back instantly. “Reporting to Boss—there’s a large scar on my head, from being slashed before.”
“And later, you slashed him back?” Xia Liuyi asked.
“Yes, Boss.”
“Now he’s Big Scarhead too?”
“No. He has no head now.”
Xia Liuyi let out a faint chuckle.
“Know why I called you here?”
“Please instruct me, Boss.”
“You’ve got guts,” Xia Liuyi said lazily, his voice muffled beneath the towel. “Heroes aren’t judged by their origins. I don’t care about your past—only where you want to go. Walk the right path, and you won’t just be Big Scarhead—you’ll be Boss Big Scar. Walk the wrong path, and you’ll have no head at all. Understand?”
Unable to show his sincerity through expression, Big Scarhead could only respond in a firm tone. “Understood, Boss!”
“Get out.”
“Yes!”
After soaking in the hot spring and receiving that unreadable warning, the future “Boss Big Scar” left full of thoughts. He tried to walk steadily, putting on a composed front—but ended up moving slowly, taking forever to round the corridor corner.
Under the towel, Xia Liuyi held it in, veins bulging on his forehead. Only after the footsteps faded did he finally let out an explosive sneeze, sending ripples across the water!
“Achoo—!”
He yanked off the towel, blew his nose, and tossed it aside. “Fuck!”
Damn it—his nose was so blocked his voice sounded like he was crying! Without the towel, he didn’t even dare speak. And that idiot took forever to leave!
Xiao Ma came running in barefoot. “Boss, Inspector Xu called—inviting you to dinner tomorrow.”
“Damn it,” Xia Liuyi cursed in a nasal tone. “Before the New Year’s even here, he’s already asking for money! Tell Cui Dongdong to accompany him—prepare a fifty-thousand red envelope. Say I’ve flown to Thailand on urgent business tonight.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Xiao Ma hesitated, squatting by the pool. “Boss… should we call a doctor again? This looks like allergic rhinitis.”
“Can that even be cured?! What’s the point?!” Xia Liuyi slapped the water, splashing him. “Go prepare clothes! Achoo—!”
Ill and overworked, even after his fever subsided for over ten days, his nose still ran constantly, itchy and unbearable. Life had been a blur of chaos—so much so that he had long since pushed that troublesome brat to the back of his mind.
Until Xiao Ma, helping him with his tie, said, “Boss, it’ll be New Year next week.”
“Mhm,” Xia Liuyi grunted through his blocked nose.
“I’m going back to the countryside in Guangzhou the day after tomorrow. Boss Dongdong is heading to Thailand on Monday. As for you…”
“Then all of you get lost early,” Xia Liuyi said casually. “Go to finance and take fifty thousand—consider it my red envelope for your grandmother.”
“No, no, that’s not necessary!” Xiao Ma hurriedly said. “She’s over eighty—she can’t accept that, Boss!”
“Cut the crap! Go call a car.”
Xiao Ma scurried out, then poked his head back in hesitantly. “Boss… we’re just worried about you being alone… how about you come back to the countryside with me?”
“I don’t like feeding mosquitoes in the fields! Stop worrying and get lost!”
Xiao Ma half-left, then crept back again, stammering, “Boss… Boss Dongdong said that kid surnamed He asked her before—wanted to invite you to his home for the New Year? Are you really going? I think that kid’s scheming…”
Xia Liuyi hurled his shoe at him. “Where I go is none of your business! Get lost!”
—Besides, I haven’t even agreed yet!
Futile Devices Scans 
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