Lu Guang Ming woke up in a daze.
He had clearly gone to the bar to drown his sorrows—so how had he ended up sleeping in Xie Jia Hua’s bed? And completely naked? Had Xie Jia Hua taken advantage of him?
He quickly checked himself over. It didn’t seem like it…
Uneasy, he thought: Could it be… I was the one who took advantage of him? When I’m drunk, do I turn into some violent predator?
Not only had he somehow been picked up and brought home by Xie Jia Hua, but Xie Jia Hua was also treating him with unprecedented gentleness—even cooking instant noodles for him.
His stomach had held nothing but alcohol for a full day and night. He picked up the bowl and devoured it hungrily. Halfway through eating, fragments of the previous night surfaced in his mind—
Half-conscious in the back seat, watching Xie Jia Hua’s silhouette as he drove.
Clinging to his back, kissing the back of his neck.
Shamelessly seducing him in the bathtub.
And he had even asked:
“Hey… you and Brother Jia Qi… were you always on top? Didn’t he ever… do you?”
Everything after that was blank.
Cough—cough cough cough cough—!
A mouthful of noodle soup went down the wrong way. He nearly coughed out a lung, leaping up and rushing into the bathroom, retching violently. After throwing up the last of the alcohol, he was completely sober.
Something else must have happened afterward!
Just those fragments alone—there was no way Xie Jia Hua would be treating him so kindly now. Not beating him to death and flushing him down the drain was already generous!
He splashed cold water on his face for a long while, but still could not recall anything. Outside sat a strangely gentle Xie Jia Hua. Nervous, he stepped out, not daring to ask directly, forcing a casual grin.
“Inspector Xie, what were you doing at the bar last night? You went drinking too?”
Normally, such teasing would earn him a beating. But Xie Jia Hua merely glanced at him calmly—and even picked extra noodles from his own bowl into Lu Guang Ming’s.
“Hurry up and eat. I have to go to work.”
Lu Guang Ming ate in stunned disbelief. Every bite felt like swallowing something fragrant yet poisonous.
Did I really top him last night? Was I that good that he’s this satisfied?
He noticed a wound on Xie Jia Hua’s arm and assumed he had caused it—but Xie Jia Hua said it wasn’t him. After the meal, Lu Guang Ming offered to wash the dishes, but was refused. Xie Jia Hua even said he would drive him to the ICAC afterward.
Lu Guang Ming hesitated, silent for a long time. On one hand, he was shaken by Xie Jia Hua’s drastic change; on the other, he didn’t know how to apologize to Chief Investigator Xu.
Then, unexpectedly, Xie Jia Hua walked over and spoke seriously, gently:
“About last time—I didn’t mean that I didn’t believe you. I just thought there might be some misunderstanding, so I spoke that way without considering your feelings. That was my fault. I’m sorry.
“You once said Tang Jia Qi approached me to investigate my cases. I’ve gone through every case I handled during that time again and found nothing unusual. The files are in my office—when you’re free, you can come take a look yourself and see if you find anything.”
Lu Guang Ming stared at him, utterly unprepared for such an answer.
What had happened to Xie Jia Hua? Had his attitude truly changed—or had he himself always been too extreme, as Chief Investigator Xu had said?
A sudden, burning impulse rose within him—to tell Xie Jia Hua everything. Perhaps he would truly believe him. Perhaps he would investigate his own father. Perhaps everything between them—the misunderstandings, the hostility—could finally be resolved.
Hesitant, tentative, like a squirrel peeking out from dense forest cover, he cautiously extended a “paw”:
“Brother Jia Qi… once found a photo at your place. He brought it to me.”
Xie Jia Hua frowned.
That tiny reaction pierced Lu Guang Ming’s heart like a needle.
Sure enough, Xie Jia Hua said, “Impossible. He never came to my house.”
The squirrel withdrew.
Lu Guang Ming fell silent, turning his head away, his heart sinking completely. Of course—it had all been wishful thinking. Those kind words earlier had probably just been empty consolation. Xie Jia Hua still didn’t trust him—still instinctively doubted everything he said.
Between them, there was always a chasm.
At that moment, his phone rang—it was a special ringtone. He Chu San’s assistant. He quickly grabbed it and retreated into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
“Hello?” Kevin’s voice came through.
“It’s me.”
“Mr. He would like to meet you. Tonight at seven, XX Hotel. Master Qiao is hosting a charity gala. Please attend disguised as a guest.”
“Got it.”
Hanging up, he knew business came first. His disappointment toward Xie Jia Hua would have to wait.
He rummaged through Xie Jia Hua’s wardrobe and quickly found a high-end tailored suit—worthy of a Xie family young master. Throwing it on, he found the shoulders loose.
Damn this brute—why is he built like that?
He stuffed socks into the shoulders to fill them out, then hurried out. Ignoring Xie Jia Hua—who was eavesdropping—he found his own ruined shoes and instead took a pair of Xie Jia Hua’s slippers, leaving in a suit and slippers.
Xie Jia Hua even chased him to the elevator.
Hmph, not used to being treated coldly for once, are you?
Lu Guang Ming slammed the door shut on him.
……
He rented a Lamborghini, bought proper shoes, styled his hair, and disguised himself as a young master of the Tang family. That night, he attended the gala.
He quickly made contact with He Chu San, exchanging information about Xie Ying Jie. But before long, Master Qiao’s men noticed them.
To dispel suspicion, He Chu San splashed wine over him; Lu Guang Ming punched him. They staged a loud argument—He Chu San was escorted away, while Lu Guang Ming was hauled off by security and handed to the police.
Mistaken for a troublemaking gangster, he was dragged into an interrogation room. With no ID, he answered nothing, provoking the officers.
“I know the law! Forced confession violates police regulations! I’ll sue you! I’m A’Ming, informant of Inspector Xie Jia Hua—call him!”
After some doubt, they called.
Soon, he was respectfully moved to a holding cell.
Inside, other gangsters asked, “What’d you do?”
“Argued with my wife,” he said lazily.
Laughter erupted.
He bragged shamelessly, taking advantage of Xie Jia Hua’s name.
Half an hour later, Xie Jia Hua arrived.
“A’Ming, come out.”
Hmph—afraid I’ll expose us, aren’t you?
They argued on the way out. Xie Jia Hua insisted on driving him back; he refused—until he was forcibly shoved into the car.
“You’re so violent!”
“You’re so annoying—shut up!”
—See? You find me annoying. You hate me most.
He sat in silence, miserable, irrationally angry like a stubborn child.
After a while, Xie Jia Hua spoke again, restraining his temper:
“What I said this morning—I wasn’t refuting you. I just don’t remember Jia Qi ever coming to my house. Maybe I’m mistaken. I’ll investigate where he got that photo. What was in it?”
Lu Guang Ming remained silent—but his thoughts churned.
Why was Xie Jia Hua believing him now?
Finally, Xie Jia Hua sighed:
“If you don’t want to say it, fine. I won’t force you. From now on, I’ll believe what you say. But you also need to give me space to process things. Can we talk properly instead of arguing every time?”
—I want that too! But you’re always the one doubting me first!
He snapped back:
“Didn’t you tell me to shut up?”
“…”
“And say I’m annoying.”
“…”
“Is it really my fault we argue? You never listen! I’m always the one coaxing you! You’re so impressive—sleeping with me and beating me!”
“…”
After a long silence, Xie Jia Hua sighed:
“I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
—What?! The Big Sweet Potato actually apologized?!
Lu Guang Ming nearly laughed, quickly turning his head away. Trying hard not to show any joy, he thought:
Why does this stupid sweet potato suddenly feel… sweet?
“About the clothes—I’ll wash and return them,” he said abruptly.
Instead of caring about the suit, Xie Jia Hua asked, “What were you doing this afternoon?”
This time, Lu Guang Ming understood—this wasn’t suspicion.
It was concern.
He instantly got smug.
“None of your business.”
Xie Jia Hua looked like he wanted to pin him down and spank him.
The atmosphere turned strange—once he realized the sincerity behind the concern, the air grew heated.
Does he actually care about me? Could he… like me?
His face burned.
When the car stopped at the ICAC, he hurried to escape—but was pulled back. Xie Jia Hua adjusted his messy hair, seemingly wanting to say something—but stopped.
Lu Guang Ming’s heart pounded.
He had already made a decision:
Xie Jia Hua was too upright. Using him to investigate his own father was cruel.
If only things had begun differently…
If only they had met after everything was over…
He murmured:
“I lied before to get information from you. That was wrong. I’m sorry.”
“This case—I’ll handle it myself. I can’t tell you everything due to ICAC confidentiality.”
Xie Jia Hua draped his own coat over him.
“I understand. And what I can share, I will. I still believe my father is innocent—but I’ll investigate everything you said.”
Lu Guang Ming stepped out, overwhelmed.
After a few steps, he turned back, unable to resist.
Knocking on the window, he leaned in and asked seriously:
“Did I top you last night? Is that why you’re suddenly so nice to me?”
Xie Jia Hua’s face turned green.
“Shut up. Get inside.”
Lu Guang Ming ran off laughing, covering his burning face.
—Damn… this stupid sweet potato is going to kill me with how sweet he’s gotten!
Futile Devices Scans 
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