At six in the morning, Xia Liu Yi summoned Cui Dong Dong to a meeting. The two sat at a roadside food stall, yawning over bowls of luncheon meat and egg noodles and drinking coffee so weak it might as well have been water. Sleep-deprived and irritable, Cui Dong Dong snapped, “Boss, look up. The sun isn’t even out yet! Just because you’re heartbroken and can’t sleep doesn’t mean you have to drag me into it!”
Xia Liu Yi slammed his plastic coffee cup onto the table. Black liquid spurted up through the straw with a wet splash.
Cui Dong Dong was about to slam down her bowl in retaliation, but when she looked up and saw how haggard he was, as though doom itself had settled over his brow, she could not bring herself to do it. She sighed. “You and Sammy Boy still haven’t made up?”
Xia Liu Yi said nothing, his face dark.
“Know when to stop. If he gives you a way out, take it. Why keep acting so high and mighty?”
Xia Liu Yi’s face darkened further, but he still said nothing. His grievances were impossible to voice. He was frustrated—so incredibly frustrated. It was not that he had refused to take the way out. This time, He Chu San had not offered him one at all. The bastard had gone a full two months without coming to see him.
Whenever they argued, He Chu San was always the one who compromised. Xia Liu Yi knew that one gunshot would not scare him away. That shameless little bastard, whose skin was thicker than a city wall, could not possibly have given up so easily. He must have been secretly plotting something—or perhaps he was simply giving Xia Liu Yi the silent treatment until Xia Liu Yi softened first.
But Xia Liu Yi would never bow his head to him.
Not even if it killed him!
He sat there with a stormy expression for a long while before finally saying, “Master Qiao…”
“Hm?” Cui Dong Dong looked puzzled by the abrupt change of subject.
“Master Qiao went to Thailand last week and tried to pay his respects to Godfather, but Godfather refused to see him. Jade Guanyin treated him rudely as well. He lost face over there, and he won’t let it go. Jade Guanyin and I are close, so he suspects I interfered behind the scenes.”
“Heh. If Golden Maitreya doesn’t consider him worth meeting, how is that anyone else’s fault? Besides, even if Golden Maitreya refuses to deal with him directly, he still has no choice but to get his goods through us. Falling out with us wouldn’t benefit him.”
“That may be true, but we still have to be careful. Tell the brothers to be especially cautious at the establishments we work with him.”
“All right.”
Cui Dong Dong had barely finished speaking when Xia Liu Yi’s brick phone rang. He looked down and saw Xiao Ma’s number. Slightly puzzled, he answered.
“Boss! Something terrible happened!” Xiao Ma shouted from the other end in his usual frantic manner.
“Cut the crap! What could possibly happen this early in the morning? And don’t start talking to me about that bastard surnamed He—”
“It has nothing to do with him! It’s Big Scarhead! He’s been arrested!”
At five that morning, the police raided one of Xiao Qi Hall’s gambling dens. Big Scarhead, still fast asleep, was caught red-handed along with several customers who had been gambling through the night and several hundred thousand in gambling stakes. The illegal gambling itself was a minor problem. The real trouble was that he had been scheduled to distribute goods to one of his dealers that day, and half a catty of heroin was hidden beneath his pillow.
When the white powder scattered across the floor, it was not only Big Scarhead—pinned to the ground in nothing but his underwear and still half asleep—who stared in shock. Even the officers conducting the search were stunned. They had only responded to a telephone report about a “group brawl.”
Big Scarhead understood the rules. He took every charge upon himself and merely asked his lawyer to pass on a message requesting that the Boss take care of his elderly mother. Xia Liu Yi was hauled in for questioning early that morning but walked out unscathed by the afternoon.
Although the Boss emerged safely, Xiao Qi Hall’s losses were devastating. One of its Red Poles had been arrested, several gambling dens had been shut down, and once the confiscated “goods” were included, the losses amounted to at least several million. The dramatic anti-gambling and anti-narcotics operation even made the newspapers, with Big Scarhead portrayed as the ringleader. He faced multiple charges, and even though Xia Liu Yi hired several top barristers—men with halos practically glowing over their heads and mouths capable of spinning any story—to insist that the heroin had been planted, Big Scarhead was still sentenced to five years. But that came later.
After being released on bail pending investigation, Xia Liu Yi emerged from the police station with a grim expression. Xiao Ma was waiting outside with several men and a car. The moment Xia Liu Yi climbed inside, Xiao Ma opened his mouth to speak, but Xia Liu Yi waved a hand, ordering him to drive first.
The car eventually reached one of their secluded safe houses. Cui Dong Dong and several other trusted subordinates sat inside, silently smoking cigars. When Xia Liu Yi entered with his men, she rose and greeted him. “Boss.”
“I need to tell you something.” Her expression was complicated.
Xia Liu Yi followed her alone into a smaller room. Cui Dong Dong hesitated for a long while before taking out a damaged signal receiver no larger than a fingernail and placing it before him.
Xia Liu Yi faltered for a moment, then gritted his teeth. “I suspected Xiao Ma. I even considered Uncle Yuan. I never imagined the problem would come from you! You’ve never been careless. How could you overlook something like this?”
Apart from Big Scarhead’s dealer, the only people who knew Big Scarhead had goods on hand that night were Xiao Ma and Cui Dong Dong. Xia Liu Yi had always assumed that Xiao Ma had carelessly leaked the information. It had never occurred to him that the problem might lie with Cui Dong Dong.
“You’re right. I’m not careless, so how could I have overlooked something like this?” Cui Dong Dong replied. “This was installed inside my brick phone and could be used to listen to my calls at any time. But my brick phone is almost never out of my possession. When could anyone have planted it? I was careless, but I thought about it for a long time, and there was only one occasion…”
“What occasion?”
Cui Dong Dong hesitated before finally saying, “Last month, I met Sammy Boy privately. During the meeting, he accidentally knocked over a cup of tea and soaked my clothes, so I went to the washroom…”
“It wasn’t him!” Xia Liu Yi interrupted. “If he wanted to pull something, he could’ve bugged me directly!”
“Haven’t the two of you been fighting and avoiding each other for a long time? Besides, if he did that to you, he would be the first person you suspected. You lived together day and night. He was the only person who could have planted a listening device whenever he pleased.”
“What about the person who’s with you day and night? Couldn’t Xiao Luo have tampered with it?”
“Xiao Luo has been with me for seven years! Suspecting her is the same as suspecting me!” Cui Dong Dong snapped angrily.
“…”
Xia Liu Yi remained silent, his expression dark. After a while, he took out his cigarette case and lit one. He inhaled in silence, then held the cigarette out to Cui Dong Dong.
Still offended, Cui Dong Dong refused to take it.
Xia Liu Yi irritably pushed it toward her again. “Enough! You know that isn’t what I meant!”
Cui Dong Dong snatched the cigarette from him, accepting the awkward apology. Her voice softened as she explained, “Xiao Luo has been involved in plenty of the gang’s affairs. She could easily find out where our gambling dens are or whether Big Scarhead had goods on hand through any number of channels. Why would she go to the trouble of bugging my brick phone?”
“This happened too suddenly,” Cui Dong Dong continued, analyzing the situation. “Not one of the inspectors friendly with us gave so much as a warning. The officers who conducted the search weren’t Xie Jia Hua’s men, and they hadn’t received orders from their superiors. They merely responded to a report early in the morning and stumbled onto our gambling den and the goods by sheer accident. It looks like a coincidence, yet I happened to find this listening device inside my brick phone. But if one of our mortal enemies was behind it, why weren’t you or I implicated? Why wasn’t the warehouse exposed? Why was Big Scarhead—the one who knew relatively little and only had a small amount of goods—the only one caught? Whoever did this knows about our operations, but doesn’t want to destroy Xiao Qi Hall. They wanted to fire a warning shot, attract police attention, weaken us, and force us to stop. Isn’t that exactly what Sammy Boy has always wanted?”
Xia Liu Yi lit a second cigarette, his face dark. “Why were you meeting A’San privately?”
“He had several projects and wanted me to establish a new company to invest in them.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“That was my mistake. He asked me not to tell you. The projects were carefully planned, and I thought he might be trying to leave you a way out. Since the two of you were also giving each other the cold shoulder, I kept it from you for the time being.”
Xia Liu Yi fell silent again. He could not blame Cui Dong Dong for privately associating with He Chu San. First, he had tacitly allowed it. Neither of them wished the other harm, and there was nothing wrong with the two becoming friends. Second, as the gang’s chief manager, Cui Dong Dong’s first consideration was its financial interests. Xia Liu Yi had always trusted her business judgment completely and left business matters entirely in her hands. If Cui Dong Dong believed He Chu San’s projects were viable, he would not interfere.
He lowered his eyes and silently finished the cigarette, then leaned his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I don’t believe he would hurt me. He knows what Xu Ying did to Eldest. He knows betrayal by someone close to me is what I hate most. He’s intelligent. He wouldn’t make me hate him. Keep investigating.”
Cui Dong Dong sighed softly. “Other than you, I’m the person least willing to suspect him. It would be best if he had nothing to do with it. But you should still keep your eyes open and stay on guard.”
“Enough. I understand. Hire several good lawyers for Big Scarhead and make proper arrangements for his mother. Suspend whatever underground operations can be suspended until the attention dies down.”
“All right.”
……
That evening, He Chu San climbed out of a taxi and hurried into the village house with a slight limp. A’Sen and A’Nan, who were guarding the entrance, nodded politely and called inside, “Boss, Mr. He is here.”
Xia Liu Yi had been lying on the sofa smoking. He rolled over and sat up, his expression darkening. “What are you doing here?”
He Chu San had not expected Xia Liu Yi to remain so furious after more than two months. Although puzzled, he braved the man’s murderous aura and entered, speaking with his usual sincere honesty. “Xiao He told me Big Scarhead was arrested this morning and that you were taken in for questioning. I came to see how you were.”
Xia Liu Yi still looked completely unapproachable. “There are cops watching outside. Get lost and go home.”
He Chu San smiled, revealing a neat row of white teeth. “It’s all right. Inspector Xie already knows I’m close to you. Let them investigate. I have nothing to hide.”
He turned and walked straight into the kitchen, arranged the shrimp dumplings he had brought on a plate, added dipping sauce, and carried them to Xia Liu Yi. “Eat something. You haven’t had lunch today, have you?”
Xia Liu Yi looked at him irritably. He Chu San wore the same innocent smile and candid expression as always.
Xia Liu Yi crooked a finger at him. He Chu San stepped closer—and was suddenly grabbed around the waist, dragged down, and pinned against the sofa.
He Chu San looked confused but remained perfectly obedient. He lay quietly beneath Xia Liu Yi and looked up at him. Xia Liu Yi stared into the eyes only inches from his own, frowning as he scrutinized them. He Chu San’s gaze held nothing but pure affection, longing, and concern for him.
After a long while, Xia Liu Yi released a breath, lowered his head, and kissed him.
An excited sound immediately escaped He Chu San. “Mm…”
His lips were soft and burning, instantly setting Xia Liu Yi aflame. Xia Liu Yi pinned both his hands above his head and bit harshly at his lips, his movements rough and forceful, as though he wanted to chew this hateful man to pieces. This little fox in lamb’s clothing! This bastard whose face he knew but whose heart he could not read!
Are you really plotting behind my back? I want to tear off that honest-looking face of yours and pry open your head to see what the hell you’re thinking!
He Chu San kept his eyes open and gazed tenderly at him, accepting all his anger and roughness without resistance. The harsh drag of Xia Liu Yi’s teeth brought a burning sting. Suddenly, He Chu San’s brows drew together and he hissed softly. Xia Liu Yi had bitten the corner of his mouth until it bled. He instinctively withdrew, then leaned in again as though making an offering, sharing the metallic taste of blood on his tongue with Xia Liu Yi.
I missed you.
They continued the long-awaited kiss with fierce, silent intensity, staying tangled together and kissing for nearly ten minutes before He Chu San finally turned his face away and buried it against Xia Liu Yi’s shoulder, breathing heavily. Then he murmured, “I’m sorry.”
Xia Liu Yi instantly became wary. “For what?”
His voice muffled against Xia Liu Yi’s shoulder, He Chu San said, “I thought that if I left you alone for a while, you would eventually come around.”
Xia Liu Yi snorted.
“But I realized I was wrong. No matter how long I waited, you would never turn back. And if I didn’t chase after you, I was afraid you would go too far.” He raised his head and met Xia Liu Yi’s eyes, tracing a finger along the cold, sharp line of his brow. “When Xiao He told me something had happened to your ‘company,’ I nearly went mad with worry. Thankfully, she said you were safe. Then I realized I was already going mad from missing you.”
Xia Liu Yi snorted again. “Sappy.”
He patted He Chu San’s slightly haggard cheek, gave it a pinch, then closed his eyes and kissed his forehead. His heart tingled so badly he could barely stand it—he had missed this bastard so much that he was nearly going mad too.
He Chu San smiled and nuzzled the corner of his mouth like a large dog. “Eat the shrimp dumplings first. I’ll make dinner.”
They did not mention the fierce argument from that night. That was how they had always been: they fought, stayed apart for a while, then quietly turned the page and began a new chapter as though nothing had happened. Yet beneath the calm surface, currents still churned—one stubbornly defending his position while the other advanced one careful step at a time.
He Chu San had brought all the ingredients needed to prepare his specialties: Hainanese chicken, steamed fish, and freshly baked cookies. Xia Liu Yi had not smelled home cooking in so long that his eyes stung the moment a piece of tender fish touched his tongue. Little bastard, you really fucking had the heart! You starved me for two months and eleven days!
—Who was the one who fired a gun at him first, Boss Xia?
Elite He, who was risking his life by dating the Boss, had little appetite. He rested his cheek against one hand and watched Xia Liu Yi, dark circles beneath his eyes and his gaze both tender and exhausted. He barely touched his own food.
“What?” Xia Liu Yi asked.
“I already ate at the office.”
“Didn’t sleep well last night?”
“Mm. Overtime, as usual.”
Xia Liu Yi began eating more slowly and raised his eyes toward him. The anonymous report had been made at five in the morning.
He Chu San remained perfectly open and relaxed, gazing at him affectionately before letting out a tired yawn.
“Go sleep for a while,” Xia Liu Yi said, pointing at the moisture at the corner of his eye.
He Chu San obediently took off his coat and started curling up on the sofa, only for Boss Xia to smack him upright with a cushion. “What are you putting on an act for? Go sleep in the bed!”
He Chu San obediently went upstairs, took a quick shower, and crawled into the Boss’s long-missed bed. He inhaled deeply, taking in the familiar scent trapped beneath the covers, then hugged a pillow and fell asleep in complete satisfaction. After finishing dinner, Xia Liu Yi followed him upstairs. Once he had showered, he sat against the headboard and watched television. It was only eight in the evening, and he was not sleepy.
The sound of the television woke He Chu San. He rolled over, wrapped both arms around Xia Liu Yi’s waist, rubbed his face against his thigh, and immediately resumed breathing evenly.
Xia Liu Yi stroked his face and muted the television.
The brick phone on the bedside table suddenly rang. Xia Liu Yi picked it up and answered, but no one spoke from the other end.
“Hello?”
“…”
Xia Liu Yi checked the number. It was an unfamiliar caller. Only then did he realize that the brick phone belonged to He Chu San.
He ended the call. Half asleep beside him, He Chu San murmured, “Who was it?”
“Go back to sleep.”
He Chu San slept soundly in Xia Liu Yi’s bed. Early the following morning, another telephone call woke him. He felt around the bedside table, found his brick phone, and answered.
Someone said something loudly from the other end. He glanced back at Xia Liu Yi, who had also been awakened and was frowning irritably, then quietly climbed out of bed and walked into the corridor outside.
“All right. Meet me downstairs at the office,” he said calmly.
He returned to the bedroom and picked up the clothes hanging from the foot of the bed. Xia Liu Yi yawned beneath the covers, raised one long leg, and kicked him in the backside. “You’re working on a Saturday?”
“Mm. Something came up at the office, so I have to go back,” he said, leaning over to give Xia Liu Yi a quick kiss. “I’ll come back at noon and make lunch.”
“Get lost and don’t come back,” Boss Xia said haughtily, pulling the covers over his head.
He Chu San moved quietly through the house, washing and dressing before heading downstairs. Xia Liu Yi heard the bodyguards at the door offer him a car, but He Chu San politely declined. Xia Liu Yi remained beneath the blankets a little longer, breathing in the lingering scent He Chu San had left behind. Then he climbed out of bed barefoot and removed a receiver about the size of a radio from the cabinet.
He put on the headphones and switched it on. Through a wash of static, He Chu San’s muffled voice came from the receiver. “Driver, Pedder Street, Central.”