The advisor swiftly advanced, extending a hand to steady the staggering He Chu San. Two bodyguards, concealed among the crowd, swiftly intervened, seizing Lu Guang Ming from either side. Lu Guang Ming struggled, his head thrown back as wine cascaded everywhere, transforming his once-handsome pompadour into a drenched bird’s nest.
“What on earth happened?!” the advisor exclaimed at Kevin, who was struggling to push through the crowd. “Where did you run off to? You allowed just anyone to get close to Mr. He?!”
Kevin, who had been discreetly following Master Qiao, offered a heartfelt apology while swiftly assessing Mr. He’s injuries.
“He’s not just ‘anyone,’ he’s the young master of the Tang Family Winery!” Miss Fang interjected, her maternal instincts flaring in response to the two battered young men. After a brief moment of hesitation, she handed her handkerchief to the more mature Mr. He. “Mr. He, your face is bleeding—quickly wipe it. And you too, Young Master Tang. This is a civilized society now—if there’s a misunderstanding, why resort to violence?”
He Chu San accepted the handkerchief with gratitude, his expression a blend of anger and restraint. “You’ve all been deceived. He’s no Young Master Tang—just some poor kid who snuck in to take advantage of us.”
“The hell you say—I’m the poor kid?!” Lu Guang Ming, his arms restrained by the bodyguards, continued to kick wildly with his long legs, attempting to strike him.
At that moment, Master Qiao squeezed into the crowd, clutching a glass of wine. The first thing he heard was that this was a fake young master, and then he saw that this impostor had actually injured his precious He! No matter how adorable he appeared, this was unacceptable. Fury surged through him, his jianghu nature unleashed:
“Where did this damned brat come from?! Beat him senseless and drag him out!”
“Beat him?!” Miss Fang shrieked in shock.
The surrounding guests murmured among themselves. The advisor coughed softly and leaned close to Master Qiao, whispering, “Boss, there are too many people here—don’t make a scene. Just call the police and have him taken away.”
“Are you crazy? Call the police for what?!” Master Qiao glared in disbelief—until the advisor tugged sharply at his sleeve, reminding him that he was no longer a jianghu overlord, but now a respectable citizen.
“Cough, cough… why haven’t you called the police yet?! Report him—report him for provoking trouble and intentional assault!”
The charges flowed from his lips effortlessly—after all, he had heard them countless times before.
Hotel security soon arrived, along with the bodyguards. They dragged the cursing “fake Young Master Tang” outside to await the police. Master Qiao instructed Kevin to quickly take Mr. He to the lounge for treatment, then turned to calm the guests. The small disturbance soon subsided.
The crowd dispersed, leaving only Miss Fang standing there, clutching the faintly blood-stained fragrant handkerchief, lost in sentimental reverie. The advisor stood where He Chu San had been moments before, studying the wine glass he had used to splash the wine…
In the reflection of the glass, he saw Miss Fang behind him—exactly in the direction from which he had approached.
He turned and stepped toward her. “Miss? Excuse me… what exactly did that fake Young Master Tang say to you just now?”
……
At dusk, a car with license plate ending in 61 pulled up outside a small police station. Xie Jia Hua didn’t bother locking the door before rushing inside and presenting his credentials.
The officer leading him had worked with him on several cases before. As he unlocked the temporary holding room, the officer said, “No ID. He wouldn’t even give his full name—just says he’s called A’Ming and that he knows you.”
“My apologies, he’s my informant. Thank you, thank you.” Xie Jia Hua forced a stiff smile, offering polite words. Never in his life had he felt so awkward abusing his authority for personal reasons.
The door opened. Lu Guang Ming lounged casually among a group of street thugs arrested for fighting, chatting with them as if they were old friends. The suit he wore, now filthy and torn beyond recognition, was still Xie Jia Hua’s.
“……”
He really wanted to strip off his pants right then and give him a proper spanking.
Xie Jia Hua restrained himself repeatedly. In front of his colleague, he spoke as gently as he could, “A’Ming, come out.”
Lu Guang Ming looked up at him, his expression even more impatient than Xie Jia Hua’s. He dragged his feet as he followed him out, muttering under his breath, “No record left behind, right?”
“They don’t even know your name—how would they record anything?”
Lu Guang Ming relaxed slightly, though his expression remained sour. Reaching the car, Xie Jia Hua opened the passenger door, intending to shove him inside—but Lu Guang Ming slipped aside deftly, hands in his pockets.
“What are you doing?”
“I’ll go myself.”
“Where are you going?”
“None of your business.”
“You’re still wearing my clothes.”
“Inspector Xie, at your age, how are you still so petty?”
“……”
Inspector Xie.
His face darkened. Ending this childish quarrel, he grabbed his own jacket and forcefully shoved Lu Guang Ming into the car.
“I’m not going with you! I’m going to the ICAC!” Lu Guang Ming protested, bracing against the door.
“I’ll take you there!”
“Why are you so violent?!”
“Why are you so annoying?! Shut up!”
Amidst the neon-lit chaos of rush hour, Lu Guang Ming’s car navigated the bustling streets, his expression a mix of silence and simmering anger. Xie Jia Hua, focused on the road, attempted to reason with him.
“What I said this morning wasn’t a rebuttal. I simply mentioned that I don’t recall Jia Qi ever visiting my place. Perhaps I’m mistaken. I hadn’t finished speaking when you reacted so strongly. I’ll investigate the matter—find out where Jia Qi obtained that photo and how. What exactly was in that photo?”
“……”
“If you’re unwilling to disclose anything, that’s fine. I won’t force you. From now on, I’ll accept whatever you say. I’ll investigate anything you tell me. However, you also need to give me space to respond—don’t jump to conclusions every time. We argue whenever we meet. Can’t we just have a proper conversation once in a while?”
“……”
Xie Jia Hua felt he had been patient enough, but without a response, he couldn’t help but glance over. “Say something.”
“Didn’t you tell me to shut up?”
“……”
“And you said I’m annoying.”
“……”
“Do you think we argue every time because of me? When have you ever listened to me properly? Wasn’t it always me coaxing you before? You’re so impressive—you don’t just sleep with me, you hit me too.”
“……”
When have I hit you since I started sleeping with you?!
Xie Jia Hua took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration. “I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Lu Guang Ming rarely heard him admit fault. He lifted his eyelids to glance at him, then turned to look out the window, a faint smile tugging at his lips. After a while, he said out of nowhere:
“I’ll wash and press the clothes before returning them to you.”
Xie Jia Hua didn’t care about the clothes. “What were you doing this afternoon? How did you end up like this?”
“None of your business.”
“……”
Maybe I really should just spank him.
The car stopped beneath the ICAC building. As Lu Guang Ming prepared to get out, Xie Jia Hua pulled him back and pressed him into the seat, smoothing down his bird’s-nest hair.
Lu Guang Ming lowered his head, allowing him to fuss with the matter. Suddenly, he confessed, “I lied to you earlier to obtain information from you—that was me using any means necessary. I apologize. Your identity is too sensitive—I shouldn’t have dragged you into this from the beginning. From now on, I’ll handle this case on my own. There are many things restricted by ICAC confidentiality—I can’t disclose them.”
Xie Jia Hua removed the filthy suit jacket and draped his clean coat over his shoulders. “I understand. However, anything I uncover that isn’t restricted by police confidentiality—I’ll share it with you. I still believe my father is innocent. But I’ll investigate everything you’ve mentioned. Alright, go in.”
Lu Guang Ming lowered his eyes and obediently exited. After walking a few steps, he paused and returned to knock on the window.
Xie Jia Hua rolled it down. Lu Guang Ming leaned in through the window, his expression solemn and serious.
“Did I sleep with you last night? Is that why you’re suddenly being so kind to me?”
“Shut up and get inside.”
……
Late at night, in the He residence bedroom.
He Chu San sat by the bed in a robe, while Kevin, fully dressed, crouched before him, meticulously applying medicine to the wound on his face.
“What’s wrong?” He Chu San inquired, noticing Kevin’s furrowed brows.
“That brat hit me too hard,” Kevin exclaimed indignantly. “Will it leave a scar? Will it ruin my face?”
He Chu San glanced toward the concealed listening device and then lightly patted Kevin’s arm, smoothly transitioning into an act. “Feeling sorry for me?”
“Of course I am.”
He Chu San let out a low, seductive laugh, pressing a kiss to his own arm as he shifted his hips aside. Kevin followed onto the bed, and the two engaged in an elaborate performance, each showcasing their “skills,” causing the bed to creak under their staged passion.
Just as they reached the peak of their “act,” a sudden knock echoed at the door.
“Mr.!He! Master Qiao is here!” a bodyguard announced.
“……”
“……”
So, he hadn’t been eavesdropping at all—he had come in person.
Kevin rolled his eyes in frustration at their wasted performance. He Chu San swiftly began undressing, mouthing, “Quick! Undress! Change!”
The two scrambled around the bedroom for a while before Kevin finally threw on a robe and rushed to open the door.
“Ah!” The advisor, leading the way, was momentarily dazzled by Kevin’s bare chest and turned away in disgust. “What’s wrong with you two—messing around every night?!”
“He got beaten today—I had to comfort him,” Kevin replied pitifully, glancing at Master Qiao behind the advisor, who gave him a thumbs-up. “Master Qiao! You’re here! Please head to the study first—Mr. He is changing and will be there shortly.”
“No need, no need,” Master Qiao waved kindly. “Tell him to come quickly—I have good news. Advisor, wait outside.”
The advisor was left standing outside, stifled with frustration.
In the study, two computers sat amidst towering piles of documents and books. Master Qiao paced about with his cane, poking here and there, even trying to locate the computer’s power button.
He Chu San hurried in, slipping into his coat. “Brother Qiao! Why didn’t you say you were coming? K-boy, pour tea for Brother Qiao.”
“No need, I’ll be leaving soon,” Master Qiao said, waving him off. “Send K-boy out.”
He Chu San dismissed Kevin and locked the study door. “What happy news do you bring, Brother?”
Master Qiao stood by the desk, beckoning him closer with a mysterious grin. He Chu San stepped forward.
Master Qiao leaned in, his foul breath brushing He Chu San’s ear as he spoke in a low voice:
“Congratulations, Brother He… the Old Shopkeeper wants to see you.”
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Futile Devices Scans 
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