Futile Devices Scans

Elio’s notes: Hi everyone! I’m sorry but we mistranslated a name. Hornet is actually named Tiger Head. The correction has been made for the previous chapters. 🙇

A few days later, Qin Hao received a call from Cui Dong Dong. She ordered him to drive alone to the airport to pick her up. Accompanying her were two mysterious “friends from Thailand.” She guided Qin Hao to an abandoned factory in the outskirts, acting all secretive as she instructed him to stand guard outside while she personally led the foreign guests inside for a “tour.”

After leaving the factory, she brought Qin Hao and the guests to the temporarily closed Tan Xiang Pavilion, where she entertained the two foreigners with the highest level of hospitality—nothing more than the usual indulgences of feasting, drinking, lust, and gambling. During the banquet, she took a phone call, claiming urgent matters required her attention, and left Qin Hao to continue entertaining them.

Before departing, she leaned close and whispered a few words into Qin Hao’s ear: these two men were trusted aides of Ji La Tang, the new Thai agent of Kun Zhang, a major drug lord from the Golden Triangle. He was to take good care of them and escort them to a certain hotel that night. She also revealed that the goods they had brought into Hong Kong would arrive at the docks the following day. Qin Hao was to remain at home early the next morning, on standby at all times, ready to accompany her for the “transaction.”

Having given her instructions, she bade farewell to the guests and exited through the staff passage, heading up to the general manager’s office.

Inside, a bulky television sat atop the desk. Xia Liu Yi sprawled in the boss’s chair, his long legs propped arrogantly on the desk’s edge, head tilted to one side, a lollipop dangling from his lips. On the screen, several surveillance feeds played simultaneously in split view—Qin Hao, Black Chicken, Tiger Head, Big Crab, and Snake Sister, were each in separate rooms, entertaining different pairs of “foreign guests.”

“How is it?” Cui Dong Dong asked.

Xia Liu Yi patted the boss’s chair beside him, signaling for her to sit and watch. She dropped heavily into the seat, propped her legs up just like him, and lit a cigarette.

“Who do you think looks like the traitor?” Xia Liu Yi countered.

“They all do. And none of them do,” Cui Dong Dong sighed. To bring these suspects into the “game” today, she had run five full circuits between the airport, the factory, and Tan Xiang Pavilion—utterly exhausted. She described to Xia Liu Yi each of their reactions upon learning that they would accompany the big boss for a “transaction” the next day. Tiger Head, Big Crab, and Snake Sister were more outward in temperament. Black Chicken and Qin Hao, however, were more reserved—nodding in agreement without saying much.

“Black Chicken lacks skill,” Cui Dong Dong said. “Honestly, if I were going to make the deal, I’d choose Qin Hao. He’s a good helper.”

“I’d choose him too,” Xia Liu Yi replied.

Then both fell silent—because that very fact meant Qin Hao’s performance had been flawless, too flawless… like a spy who had come fully prepared.

After a long while, Xia Liu Yi spoke. “I don’t want to suspect him. He saved my life. Twice.”

Cui Dong Dong shook her head. “There are too many suspicious points about him. Think carefully—how could it be such a coincidence that he entered prison at the same time as you? And that day when you were ambushed, all the brothers had been transferred to other blocks—just him left behind? And just so happened he went to the bathhouse?”

“And what about Thailand? He could have cooperated with Interpol and handed me over. Why didn’t he? Why risk his life to save me?”

“Because his goal was to earn your trust—so he could come back and wipe out the entire Xiao Qi Hall. How long have you even known him? How many words have you exchanged? To put it bluntly, you only hired him with money—why would he risk life and death for you? If not to deceive you, would he really take a bullet for you?”

“That’s because I paid for his sister’s surgery! If someone could bring Xiao Man back to life, I’d give my own life in return!”

At the mention of that name, Cui Dong Dong fell silent. Only after a long pause did she speak. “He and his sister barely spent any time together. How could that compare to what you and Xiao Man had?”

Xia Liu Yi was jolted awake by those words, finally realizing how agitated he had become. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration and sighed. “In any case, he’s the one I least want to suspect. Forget it—arguing here won’t change anything. Tomorrow, whoever’s transaction runs into trouble—that’s the undercover. We’ll see then. I have matters to attend to tonight. I’m leaving.”

As he prepared to go, Cui Dong Dong had no desire to stay and keep watching either. She was exhausted and sleepy, yearning to return home and wrap her arms around Xiao Luo for a long rest. The two of them each summoned their bodyguards to prepare the cars.

…

While standing by the roadside waiting, Xia Liu Yi suddenly recalled something. “They really didn’t find Xiao Ma’s body?”

Cui Dong Dong took out a cigarette, lit it, and drew deeply, forcing down the surge of emotion. “No. We searched for a whole week—not even a piece of clothing. I think he’s still alive.”

The smoke stung Xia Liu Yi’s eyes, blurring his vision for a moment. He looked toward the street corner and chuckled. “That brat… I knew he was the best at escaping death.”

“I left people there to keep searching,” Cui Dong Dong said, holding the cigarette between two fingers as she turned her head and wiped the corner of her eye. “That little bastard—if he’s not dead, why hasn’t he come back?”

Xia Liu Yi pulled her into his arms and gave her a fierce hug. “Hang in there.”

Cui Dong Dong sniffed. “I’m fine. I’m happy.” Then she shoved him lightly. “If I were sad, I wouldn’t cry in front of you.”

“The hell—you look down on me?”

“Of course! Stop hugging me—people might think we’re together.”

“Get lost!”

…

The two shoved each other playfully on the street before boarding their cars under the escort of their bodyguards and heading home.

Not far from them, parked inconspicuously by the roadside, a plain van concealed another scene. Inside, He Chu San frowned as he removed his surveillance earpiece.

Kevin sat across from him, his once-dyed blond hair now restored to black, his suit immaculate and sharply tailored. Adjusting the monitoring equipment, he asked, “Mr. He, it seems they’ll discover the undercover’s identity tomorrow. What should we do now?”

He Chu San leaned back into the chair, tilting his head toward the window, his gaze resting on the ceaseless tide of pedestrians and traffic outside. For a long while, he hesitated. His fingers tapped again and again against the ring hanging at his chest.

Kevin waited quietly for what felt like an eternity.

At last, He Chu San emerged from his indecision. He closed his hand around the ring, clenched it tight in his palm, and spoke.

“Notify everyone. Prepare to move.”

…

It was already dusk when He Chu San returned home. Xia Liu Yi had arranged several towering, wrought-iron European-style candelabras in the living room, each nearly as tall as a man. Upon them burned thick white candles, each as wide as a forearm and dusted with gold powder. A lavish feast had been laid out, and he sat on the sofa like a statue gazing at the sea, waiting for his beloved’s return.

The moment He Chu San opened the door, the blaze of candlelight nearly blinded him.

He froze at the entrance. “Brother Liu Yi, are you trying to burn the house down?”

“Damn it all! Didn’t you say you liked candlelight dinners?!”

He Chu San looked at the forest of massive candle stands crowding the room, the heat turning the entire space into a furnace. He couldn’t help but laugh despite himself—this was just a candlelight dinner, not a grand banquet in some ancient castle! How big was this house, really?

He hurriedly shut the door and rushed to the windows, blowing out several candles that had nearly set the curtains alight. Behind him, Xia Liu Yi stood with arms crossed, grumbling, “Why are you so late?”

“Work at the company,” He Chu San replied, acting as though nothing were amiss. “How long have you been waiting? Why didn’t you call me?”

“Wasn’t it you who liked surprises and romance?!” Xia Liu Yi, who had waited more than two hours, was on the verge of exploding.

He Chu San quickly sat beside him, pulling him into an embrace to soothe him. “I’m very surprised. It’s very romantic. I like it very much!” His eyes swept over the table. “You made all this?”

“Ordered from a restaurant.”

He Chu San exaggerated a sigh of relief. “Good thing you didn’t try cooking yourself, or else we’d really be on fi—”

Before he could finish, Xia Liu Yi pinned him to the sofa and bit down on him in mock fury. “Hahaha! I was joking—wait, wait, I was wrong, I was wrong! That hurts!”

The two tangled together for a while, laughing and teasing. At last, He Chu San, his face marked with red imprints and his clothes disheveled, got up to reheat the dishes in the kitchen. The feast had long gone cold—who knew how long Xia Liu Yi had been waiting?

As his hand brushed the chilled plates, a thread of cold seeped into his heart, stirring complicated emotions. He quickly turned his back so Xia Liu Yi wouldn’t see his expression.

Leaning against the kitchen doorway with folded arms, Xia Liu Yi watched him move deftly about the stove. “Elite He, busy man—do you even remember what day it is?”

He Chu San turned, momentarily blank. “What day?”

Xia Liu Yi cursed under his breath and strode in, reaching to pinch his face. He Chu San laughed and dodged backward. “I remember! I remember! April sixteenth—our first meeting anniversary, the first proper confession, the first time moving into this house, the first time we rolled in bed—mmph—”

His mouth was covered by Xia Liu Yi, who laughed as he pulled a small box from his pocket.

“What’s this?” Xia Liu Yi glanced at it. “A paper cake? A jade Bodhisattva?”

“Go open it outside,” He Chu San said, pushing him out of the kitchen. “Don’t disturb me heating the dishes—you might actually set something on fire.”

Though feigning disdain, Xia Liu Yi’s mood brightened as he went to the living room and opened the gift. Inside was a pair of uniquely designed cufflinks. After admiring them for a while, he found them quite pleasing and went into the bedroom, rummaging through his wardrobe to find a shirt to match.

He bent over, sifting through clothes, changing one after another, taking an eternity to come out. By the time He Chu San had set the reheated dishes back on the table, he called out, “Brother Liu Yi, dinner’s ready.”

“Wait a minute!”

He Chu San leaned against the doorway and smiled. “Stop picking. Eat first. Afterward, I’ll go out with you and buy a new outfit to match?”

Xia Liu Yi, buttoning his shirt, the lines of his collarbone and chest faintly visible beneath the fabric, looked up. “What time is it?”

“Not yet eight. We can still go out after dinner. Or catch a movie?”

Xia Liu Yi gave up on the last two buttons and walked over, giving him a light smack on the backside. “We’ll go shopping—and pick out some for you too.”

…

The two of them lingered through their candlelight dinner, then dawdled over choosing clothes and shoes. By the time they finally made it out, it was already past nine at night. Only a few scattered shops remained open along the street, their lights sparse and dim.

They abandoned the idea of shopping and instead strolled along Salisbury Road, walking off their meal. They passed the Peninsula Hotel where they had once dined together, passed the Cultural Centre where they had watched The Godfather together, then continued westward along the promenade of the seaside park.

At night, the park was sparsely populated. Across both shores of Victoria Harbour, lights shimmered brilliantly, a breathtaking sight. Beneath the dim street lamps, couples walked hand in hand.

As they walked, Xia Liu Yi reached out in the shadows and took He Chu San’s hand. He Chu San glanced back at the bodyguards trailing at a distance.

“Don’t mind them.” Xia Liu Yi tugged him closer.

He Chu San smiled, no longer avoiding it, and clasped Xia Liu Yi’s hand firmly, then suddenly pulled him forward into a run.

“What are you doing?” Xia Liu Yi asked.

“There’s a viewing platform ahead—the scenery’s good.”

“If it’s just a viewing platform, why run?”

“I want to get there faster… so I can kiss you.”

Xia Liu Yi took a large step sideways, dragging him into the shade of a roadside tree, pressing him against the trunk and kissing him fiercely and lingeringly. Only after a long while did he release him.

“If you want to kiss, kiss right away. Since when do you need to pick a place?”

He Chu San, lips glistening, breath unsteady, his back aching from the impact, stood among dry leaves and broken twigs. He wiped at the corner of his mouth, half laughing, half exasperated—if one wanted Xia Liu Yi to learn romance, they’d have to wait another ten years!

“I don’t care! I want to go to that viewing platform!” A coquettish voice suddenly rang out nearby, echoing He Chu San’s unspoken thought.

The two turned to see a group approaching along a side path. At the front was a voluptuous woman, arm entwined with a middle-aged man. The two parties met head-on.

“Twin-Blade Xia?” the man asked suspiciously.

Xia Liu Yi instinctively stepped in front of He Chu San. “Master Qiao.”

His gaze swept over the woman at Master Qiao’s side—she was an old acquaintance as well: Lai San Mei, once the mistress of Fat Seven.

“That shameless thing—she’s climbed into this old bastard’s bed now,” he thought.

Master Qiao scrutinized Xia Liu Yi and the young man half-hidden behind him. Though aged, his eyesight was sharp—he had clearly seen the two entwined together from afar.

“So the brat Xia Liu Yi really keeps a little rabbit?” he mused.

Feigning ignorance, he pointed at He Chu San. “And this is?”

Xia Liu Yi’s heart tightened. He was about to brush it off with an excuse, but He Chu San instead stepped forward, emerging from the shadows with an open smile.

“Master Qiao, have you forgotten me?”

“Oh! So it’s Consultant He!” Master Qiao exclaimed, putting on a show of surprise before sizing him up with a strange, grating laugh.

“Your memory is sharp, Master Qiao,” He Chu San said politely. “Out for a stroll?”

“You as well?”

“We are.”

Master Qiao laughed again. “Hahaha! I won’t disturb your… refined interests. Twin-Blade Xia, we’ll meet again another day?”

“Another day,” Xia Liu Yi replied.

Still chuckling oddly, Master Qiao left with Lai San Mei in his arms, glancing back at them as he went. Xia Liu Yi’s expression turned cold, while He Chu San returned a gentle smile.

Once they were gone, Xia Liu Yi grabbed He Chu San’s hand and pulled him quickly back the way they came.

“Brother Liu Yi?” He Chu San was puzzled.

“We’re going back,” Xia Liu Yi said, forcing down his irritation.

“I still want to walk a bit more…”

“We’re going back!” Xia Liu Yi snapped.

As they walked, he signaled to the bodyguards behind them, then led He Chu San out of the park through a shortcut. The guards had already prepared the car outside and drove them straight home.

Seated in the back of the car, Xia Liu Yi turned to He Chu San in frustration. “Why did you speak to him just now?! Have you forgotten what he did to you?!”

“I thought he would recognize me anyway. Rather than hide it, better to be open—”

“You’re not allowed to do that again!” Xia Liu Yi cut him off sharply. The memory of Master Qiao’s sinister smile sent a chill through him. The so-called brotherhood between them was nothing but pretense—beneath it lay only interests and buried grudges. Master Qiao had once kidnapped He Chu San, and in retaliation, Xia Liu Yi had smashed his territory. At such a sensitive time, being seen so intimately with He Chu San, confirming their relationship—this unsettled him deeply.

“I shouldn’t have brought you out tonight…” Xia Liu Yi muttered, shaking his head in regret.

He Chu San took his hand, speaking gently. “Brother Liu Yi, listen to me. Don’t worry—I can protect myself.”

“And how exactly are you going to protect yourself?!” Xia Liu Yi raised his voice, only to have the last word softened as He Chu San pulled him into an embrace and kissed his forehead.

“Trust me a little more,” He Chu San said with a smile. “I’m not as weak as you think. Don’t worry.”

…

But Xia Liu Yi could not set his worries aside.

He Chu San did not know about the dealings between him and Master Qiao, nor the precarious alliance swaying between cooperation and distrust. With Golden Maitreya gone, he had ceased “stocking goods,” leaving him with little leverage to keep Master Qiao interested. For now, he was merely stalling, using supposed connections in Thailand as an excuse to persuade Master Qiao to continue relaying messages to the Old Shopkeeper.

It would not be long before Master Qiao saw through the deception.

Before that happened, Xia Liu Yi had to uncover the undercover agent and get close to the Old Shopkeeper. If Master Qiao discovered the truth ahead of time… if he once again made a move against He Chu San, seeking to settle both old and new grudges at once…

Anxiety filled his heart.

He hurried home with He Chu San, locking the doors behind them, wishing he could swallow him whole and keep him hidden away—never letting anyone else come near.

He dragged He Chu San into the bathroom, and amidst the sudden rise of steam, kissed him with frantic urgency, tearing at his clothes. He Chu San said nothing, yielding himself completely—allowing his coat to be roughly yanked to the floor, his shirt pulled down past his shoulders, his throat and collarbone seized and bitten as though by a hunting tiger—until at last he could no longer bear the pain and let out a low cry.

Xia Liu Yi froze.

He stared blankly at the bite marks on He Chu San’s shoulder, the pale skin blooming with a dark, blood-like hue. Only then did he realize how far he had lost control. Reaching out, he shut off the shower, released him, and leaned against the wall in frustration.

He Chu San turned, stepping forward to cover him instead. Their positions reversed—now it was He Chu San who kissed him gently, stroking his temples and cheek as though soothing a great cat bristling with raised fur and bared claws.

Enveloped in that warmth, Xia Liu Yi gazed into his eyes and spoke in a low voice.

“I’m doing something dangerous… it has to do with Master Qiao. I’m afraid it might implicate you…”

He Chu San watched him intently, waiting for what would come next.

“I can’t tell you what it is,” Xia Liu Yi said instead. His expression was strained, restless, and conflicted. “It’s not that I don’t trust you—I just don’t want to lose you. The more you know, the more danger you’re in…”

He Chu San looked at him and asked gently, “Can that matter… be left undone?”

“No… it can’t. It can’t. I’m sorry. I’m sorry…” Xia Liu Yi repeated in anguish.

He was tormented—by his obsession with vengeance, and by his guilt and worry for He Chu San. He didn’t want to keep deceiving him, didn’t want to hide things anymore—but he had no other path. In recent days, his dreams alternated between the smiling face of He Chu San and the blood-soaked figure of Azure Dragon. Revenge and rebirth—he did not know how to have both.

He Chu San sighed inwardly. He had long seen through Xia Liu Yi’s stubborn nature—one that would never turn back until it struck the wall. This was merely confirmation once more. Xia Liu Yi refused to speak plainly to him… yet was he any different? The things he himself intended to do—if he spoke them aloud, Xia Liu Yi would surely oppose him at every turn, never agreeing.

“Alright, alright—don’t say any more,” He Chu San murmured, smoothing the deep furrow in his brow. “There’s nothing to apologize for. I don’t blame you. You have your own difficulties, your own limits. Before, I didn’t understand—that’s why I pushed you like that. That was my fault.”

“Let the bodyguards follow you again, alright?” Xia Liu Yi said anxiously. “I’m not trying to have them watch you—I’m afraid someone might make a move on you. That old bastard Master Qiao, that dog who eats filth—sooner or later I’ll—”

“Alright, alright,” He Chu San kissed him softly, stopping his curses. “Don’t be anxious. How about this? I do happen to be short on people. Under Tiger Head, there’s someone named Kevin—sharp-minded, and his skills aren’t bad. Transfer him to me. Let him bring a few men to follow me every day, alright?”

Xia Liu Yi snorted. “Some random brat—how can he be trusted? I’ll assign A’Nan to you.”

He Chu San pressed another kiss to his slightly pouting lips. “It’s fine. Kevin is not a problem. He’s from the Walled City too—had a hard upbringing. We’ve crossed paths before. I helped him once.”

“When?”

“A long time ago. Before I knew you.”

Xia Liu Yi grew even more suspicious. “What kind of background does that kid have? You knew him before you knew me? What did you help him with? Don’t tell me he was so grateful he wanted to devote himself to you?”

He Chu San sniffed the air exaggeratedly. “Strange… why do I smell vinegar?”

Xia Liu Yi pinched the tip of his nose. He Chu San burst into laughter, leaning in to nuzzle and kiss him intimately. Gradually soothed by the affection, Xia Liu Yi muttered,

“Fine. Pick whoever you like. Tomorrow, I’ll have him accompany you to work.”

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