TMWTGD CH101

What is getting caught red-handed? This was Xie Jianwei right now, and it was textbook, a classic example.

But the crux of the matter was that he really hadn’t done anything bad!

However…

Lu Li asked him, “What are you doing?”

Xie Jianwei: “…”

“Sending an email?”

Xie Jianwei: “…”

Lu Li: “To your sister?”

Xie Jianwei: “…”

Lu Li smiled faintly. “Being so well-behaved these past few days, were you just waiting for this moment?”

Xie Jianwei: What should I say? What else can I say?

He had indeed been sending an email to his sister, but to clear his tracks, he had deleted it quite thoroughly. Moreover, his email account involved government secrets, meaning emails were real-time—sent and immediately deleted without any saved copies.

He told Lu Li, “Don’t overthink it, I was just letting my family know I’m safe.” Would he believe it? If he did, he wouldn’t be his Big Li.

Xie Jianwei looked at Lu Li pitifully.

Lu Li would only assume he was feeling guilty, causing his heart to twist with even greater agony.

Seeing the atmospheric pressure dropping lower and lower, Mili couldn’t help but worry a little: “Um, Lu Li doesn’t hit his wife, does he?”

Xie Jianwei: “To think you lived in his head for years.”

Mili cleared its throat. “He’s very bad. He didn’t communicate with me, always wanted to kill me, and blocked me very thoroughly.”

Xie Jianwei smiled faintly. “It seems I treat you quite well.”

Mili: “…”

It fell silent for a while before suddenly realizing its mistake. “Pretend I didn’t say anything. Your husband is amazing, incredibly awesome. He’s the number one Marshal in the world, unprecedented and unparalleled. He’s handsome, can cook, knows romance, and dotes on his wife. He’s simply the galaxy’s… ah no, the entire universe’s best husband!”

Xie Jianwei’s expression softened, and he “shut away” Mili.

Mili broke into a cold sweat, muttering a silent prayer: Thank goodness I’m smart! Otherwise, I’d really end up as a grain of rice!

Of course Lu Li wouldn’t hit his wife. In fact, the moment he saw his wife looking pitiful, his heart ached terribly. He only wanted to coax him properly and agree to anything he wanted—except leaving.

Unfortunately, Xie Jianwei didn’t want anything else; he only wanted to leave.

Lu Li’s heart sank lower and lower. He remembered that early morning four years ago: an empty house, a deserted island. He stood beneath the blue sky and ocean, feeling as if he were in a cold tomb.

Xie Jianwei’s departure without a goodbye brought him unimaginable pain.

For half a year afterward, he couldn’t step out of that shadow. Later… it was his cousin who found him and told him: “The monk can run, but the temple remains. His home is here; he will come back sooner or later.”

This made Lu Li pull himself together. To wait for his return, to make sure he could never leave again, he made ample preparations, so…

Lu Li smiled gently at Xie Jianwei. “Don’t worry, even Xie Jianhuan won’t be able to take you away.”

With that, he kissed Xie Jianwei. His kiss was rough and forceful. The tongue that invaded his mouth wasn’t teasing or flirting, but like a sweeping rainstorm—dark, heavy, carrying manic and suppressed emotions, using despair to declare a fierce possessiveness.

Xie Jianwei’s heart ached terribly for him. He whispered, “I won’t leave, A-Li, I won’t leave.”

Lu Li’s voice was very calm. “Lying to me again.”

Xie Jianwei said, “I really won’t leave. I was just letting Xie Jianhuan know I’m safe. She hasn’t seen me for so long, she’ll definitely worry, I…”

Lu Li interrupted him, “Stop talking. I won’t give her any time.”

Only then did Xie Jianwei realize that he seemed to have “outsmarted himself” again.

Lu Li probably thought he was saying all this to stall for time…

Let’s hypothesize Lu Li’s thought process:

Xie Jianwei had already tipped off his sister. It would take Xie Jianhuan some time to rush over. He was stalling Lu Li; if they didn’t change locations, Xie Jianhuan would be able to find them. But clearly, Lu Li had guessed this, so he wouldn’t give them that “opportunity.”

But the problem was… there really was no opportunity at all!

Xie Jianwei was quite reluctant to leave this place. What a nice mountain villa; the maple leaves were still blooming like fire, and leaving now meant he wouldn’t be able to see this beautiful scenery.

Besides, no one was going to come bother them at all. Why go through the massive trouble of moving?

Whatever, whatever. If we’re moving, we’re moving. As long as you’re happy.

Lu Li’s execution speed was incredibly fast. While they were talking, he had already arranged a helicopter. Taking nothing with them, he brought Xie Jianwei aboard the aircraft.

Xie Jianwei had originally wanted to play the virtuous wife and pack a few clothes, but he figured anything he did now would make Lu Li think he was stalling for time. So, he obediently held his hand and tried to be as compliant as possible.

Lu Li led him onto the helicopter. After takeoff, Xie Jianwei looked down from above, his heart full of regret: Such a nice place, such beautiful red maples, what a pity…

Lu Li, who had been staring at him the whole time, naturally noticed his expression: regret, pity. Is it because you can’t escape that you’re so miserable? He gripped Xie Jianwei’s hand tightly, using a steel-like strength in an attempt to imprison him.

No matter the time or place, Lu Li could always torture himself to the point of liver pain. This skill was truly unmatched.

Yet, even while torturing himself, his thoughts were entirely consumed by the person beside him.

It was already past six o’clock, and Xie Jianwei was a little hungry. Just as this thought crossed his mind, Lu Li produced a bento box and placed it in front of him.

Xie Jianwei: “…”

Lu Li neither looked at him nor spoke, merely gazing out the window, as if there were something particularly fascinating in the blue sky outside.

Xie Jianwei looked at his profile, his heart feeling both warm and sweet. He really wanted to give him a kiss…

Even though he was this angry, he still remembered his stomach.

Why is my Big Li so cute!

Although his habit of being overly suspicious couldn’t be changed… he truly loved him, loving him without bottom lines or principles.

With a smile on his lips, Xie Jianwei opened the bento box, his heart pounding at the first glance.

When he was eighteen, Lu Li had made him breakfast countless times. But to the current Xie Jianwei, that was just a memory; he hadn’t actually eaten it.

But now… he was finally going to taste the deliciousness etched into his memories.

Overflowing with the greenness of youth, filled with pure love, as beautiful as the first rays of sunlight on an early spring morning.

Xie Jianwei wanted to pick up the chopsticks, but his left hand was being held by Big Li, and his right hand needed to hold the bento box. He really couldn’t eat without his left hand.

He whispered to Lu Li, “A-Li… my hand…”

Lu Li finally looked at him. He naturally understood what he meant. They were already on a helicopter; no matter how he tried, he couldn’t run away. There was absolutely no need to hold his hand like this.

But… he didn’t want to let go.

Xie Jianwei pressed his lips into a smile and said softly, “Will you feed me?” Since he wouldn’t let go, he would just have to use Lu Li’s free hand.

Lu Li froze.

Xie Jianwei seemed a bit embarrassed. He lowered his eyes, a faint flush on his cheeks, like the horizon painted red by the setting sun, so beautiful one couldn’t look away.

He called out to him, “A-Li?”

Lu Li snapped back to reality. He picked up the chopsticks and asked, “What do you want to eat?”

Xie Jianwei pointed to the little octopus-shaped item, “This one.”

Lu Li picked one up and brought it to his mouth. Xie Jianwei quickly leaned in, opened his mouth, and ate it.

The little thing wasn’t small. Xie Jianwei popped it into his mouth all at once, his cheeks puffing out as he chewed, the tender skin stretching into a round curve. He looked incredibly adorable.

More importantly, his expression and his eyes looked as if he were eating something incredibly delicious, full of satisfaction and delight.

Memories of the past surged into his mind, and Lu Li’s chest felt simultaneously sweet and astringent.

The eighteen-year-old Xie Jianwei had been even smaller, his face even more youthful, his eyes even rounder. He was already very good-looking to begin with, and from the first time Lu Li saw him, he couldn’t resist taking a second look. He never knew he was gay, but the moment he met Xie Jianwei, he knew this was the person he had been waiting for half his life.

He didn’t like eating breakfast, so he would wake up at four in the morning to prepare bentos for him.

Months passed like a single day, and he never felt tired; instead, he was filled with joy.

Just thinking about the happy, satisfied look on his face when he ate breakfast put him in a great mood, capable of instantly washing away all fatigue.

It was only natural that Lu Li fell in love with him, and he thought he loved him too. He had fantasized countless times about their future together. But in the end, without any warning, Xie Jianwei tore their future to shreds with his own hands, drawing a blood-red cross over the beautiful blueprint he had sketched.

His departure negated his love.

Lu Li couldn’t bring himself to believe Xie Jianwei now. These past few days, Xie Jianwei seemed to have reverted to how he was four years ago: depending on him, enjoying what he gave him, seemingly still loving him…

But it was like this four years ago too. On that small island, he clung to him like a clingy cat, his beautiful eyes full of love for him. He said many sweet things and did many intimate things, but what was the result?

He walked away, leaving without any lingering attachment.

That single action destroyed everything that had come before.

So how could Lu Li dare to believe him? How could he have the confidence to be certain this wasn’t another trap disguised as sweetness?

Xie Jianwei called him, “I want to eat this one too.”

Lu Li paused. He knew what he wanted without even looking. He knew his tastes, knew them so well he even knew the order in which he ate things.

He understood him to such a degree, yet he also didn’t understand him at all…

Lu Li didn’t know; he couldn’t be certain which Xie Jianwei was the real one.

After eating for a while, Xie Jianwei said, “You hold the bento box.”

Lu Li: “Hmm?”

Xie Jianwei urged him, “Put the chopsticks in the box first, then pick it up.”

Lu Li thought he wanted to use the chopsticks to eat by himself. He felt a bit sad but didn’t say anything, obediently doing as told.

Xie Jianwei did indeed pick up the chopsticks himself. He picked up a small meatball and held it in front of Lu Li’s mouth. “Open.”

Lu Li: “…”

Xie Jianwei’s eyes curved into crescents. “You must be hungry too.”

Lu Li’s useless heart started beating erratically again.

Xie Jianwei’s voice was exceptionally soft: “Hurry up and eat something to fill your stomach, there’s so much here.”

Lu Li ate the meatball. He rarely ate the things he made… in fact, the only person who had ever eaten the things he made was Xie Jianwei.

He couldn’t taste the meatball, nor was he hungry; his mind was entirely filled with Xie Jianwei’s gentle smile.

The two took turns eating, leaving the starving pilot incredibly heartbroken. I really want to go home to my wife, kids, and a warm bed!

About an hour later, they arrived at their destination.

The helicopter landed on the helipad. The two stepped out, and Xie Jianwei’s eyes instantly lit up.

It was truly beautiful here.

Before them should have been a lake, but the color of the lake was too unique. Like a mirror, it perfectly reflected the sky. Looking across, it seemed as if there were two skies, equally azure, equally beautiful, the clouds above and below echoing each other, painting a magnificent landscape.

It was just as remote here. Aside from a helicopter, there was likely no other mode of transportation in or out.

But it was just as beautiful, too beautiful.

Xie Jianwei couldn’t help but marvel, “It’s so beautiful here.”

Lu Li finally let go of his hand, but then immediately wrapped his arm around his waist, lifted his chin, and kissed those pale lips.

Xie Jianwei froze for a moment.

Lu Li tilted his head, deepening the kiss…

Xie Jianwei’s heart was overflowing with deep love, and finally unable to hold back, he wrapped his arms around Lu Li’s neck and kissed him back passionately.

Lu Li took him to familiarize himself with their new home using his body.

This was a small island nestled between a mountain and a body of water. In front was an endless lake that looked like the sea, and behind was a steep, towering mountain. The shape of the mountain was very interesting, forming an embrace that perfectly cradled the villa. From the outside, absolutely nothing could be seen, and for anyone inside, getting out was incredibly difficult.

Xie Jianwei couldn’t help but find it amusing. To keep him locked up, Lu Li had truly gone to great lengths. He just wondered how many more “bases” like this there were?

Xie Jianwei was fitted with ankle chains again, restricting his movement to his bedroom. Because wearing pants was troublesome with ankle chains, Xie Jianwei chose not to wear them, opting only for a loose, oversized shirt that barely covered his rear.

The consequence of this commando state was that a certain Big Li could enter and exit as he pleased, making himself thoroughly at home.

Xie Jianwei used to be firmly in the ascetic camp, glaring at Lu Li countless times over issues regarding their sex life.

But now… every time he thought of Lu Li’s pitiful heart, liver, spleen, and lungs being tortured beyond recognition, he indulged him boundlessly. He could do whatever he wanted, as long as it stopped him from torturing himself. Making love or whatever… mm… wasn’t a problem.

Lu Li had really struck gold with these benefits.

After about another seven or eight days, Xie Jianwei felt it was time to prove his innocence.

After a round of this and that, Xie Jianwei nestled in Lu Li’s arms, panting. Seeing that Lu Li was in a good mood, Xie Jianwei said, “That time, I really was just letting my family know I’m safe.”

The hand Lu Li was using to stroke his back paused, but he didn’t make a sound.

Xie Jianwei persisted, “You can ask the people guarding Red Mountain (their previous residence). I’m sure no outsiders broke in.”

If he had truly tipped off Xie Jianhuan, she would have stormed Red Mountain long ago to catch them. Even if they had left, she would definitely have gone there.

But a week had passed, and absolutely no one had gone to Red Mountain, which was enough to prove he hadn’t planned on running away.

Lu Li naturally knew this like the back of his hand. As Xie Jianwei said, Xie Jianhuan hadn’t gone to Red Mountain. In fact, she hadn’t left Hai City all these days, constantly partying with her friends there, not looking in the least bit like someone worried about her younger brother.

Lu Li wanted to believe Xie Jianwei, but Xie Jianwei’s credibility… was severely bankrupt.

Xie Jianwei added, “I’ve been inseparable from you these past few days, unable to even leave this room. I certainly had no opportunity to tell her anything in advance.”

So the possibility of Xie Jianhuan holding her ground after receiving a message didn’t exist either. Furthermore, if Xie Jianwei could pass a message to Xie Jianhuan from here, she probably would have rushed over long ago.

Every development was helping clear Xie Jianwei’s name, but Lu Li…

He paused, looked at Xie Jianwei, and said, “Do you want me to unlock your ankle chains?”

Xie Jianwei’s eyes lit up, and he was just about to say yes, but thankfully his reflexes were quick. He said instead, “No need. I just hope you won’t overthink things.”

Did Lu Li really want to unlock them? He was just testing him.

If Xie Jianwei had said yes, all the words he had just spoken would have turned into fleeting clouds.

Lu Li touched the back of his neck and said affectionately, “I haven’t been overthinking things, and you shouldn’t think too much either.”

Xie Jianwei: “…” It really isn’t that easy to let go of.

The turning point occurred on a certain afternoon.

When Xie Jianwei woke up, he heard voices outside.

This was a novelty. These past few days, apart from him and Lu Li, there hadn’t been another voice in this massive villa.

Who had come?

It definitely wasn’t the regular cleaning staff. They were exceptionally well-trained, didn’t look at or say more than necessary, and acted more robotic than AI robots.

Then who was it?

Curious, Xie Jianwei got out of bed. His attire was inappropriate for leaving the room, and of course, he couldn’t leave anyway…

But Lu Li clearly hadn’t gone far, so by getting close to the door, he could hear the conversation.

Especially since the volume outside wasn’t low.

“It’s been almost a month, are you really not going to care about anything anymore?”

This voice was so familiar. Xie Jianwei recognized it instantly—wasn’t this Loren?

Mili said, “You guys have a deep bond, still friends even in a parallel plane.”

Xie Jianwei asked it, “Are the chances of this happening high?”

Mili said, “Extremely small. But for it to happen, it means your friendship is very deep.” It paused before adding, “This person will never betray you.”

Xie Jianwei was quite happy, happy for Lu Li. Having a lover for a lifetime, having a friend for a lifetime, how wonderful!

Lu Li and Loren were arguing fiercely outside.

Every word Loren spoke carried his frustration at Lu Li’s lack of ambition. “You’ve already caught him and brought him back. It’s about time you lived a normal life. Are you really planning to hole up in this godforsaken place with him for the rest of your life?”

Lu Li said, “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Loren said, “Those older brothers of yours are watching like hawks, and the old man’s health is deteriorating. Do you really want to wait for him to pass away and then be kicked to the curb?”

Lu Li frowned, “I don’t care about those things.”

Loren said angrily, “You don’t care, but does that mean others don’t care either? Do you really think that if you don’t fight for it, those older brothers of yours will let you off? Can they let it go after how badly my aunt bullied them back then?”

Lu Li remained silent.

Loren sighed, “I know you refuse to forgive my aunt, but she’s already gone… Her life was also very pitiful. You are her only son, she… sigh…”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but sigh heavily.

Lu Li’s fate was truly terrible.

Born into an incredibly wealthy family, but plagued by misfortune since childhood.

His mother was the eldest daughter of the Luo family, precious and arrogant. Although her marriage to Lu Li’s father was an arranged union between families, they were a well-matched couple.

But a year into their marriage, trouble brewed just as Luo Jia got pregnant.

It turned out that Father Lu had a sweetheart from before, only their families hadn’t allowed them to marry. Father Lu kept her outside, doting on her, and not only that, he even had a son with her.

How could Luo Jia tolerate this? She was so angry she nearly miscarried!

Luo Jia demanded Lu Zhenyuan sever ties with her. Lu Zhenyuan refused. Luo Jia wanted a divorce right then and there, but due to the mutual interests of the two families, the marriage couldn’t be dissolved.

But with something like this happening, how could they live in peace?

Luo Jia hated Lu Zhenyuan to the core, feeling her entire life had been ruined by this disgusting man.

Unfortunately, she had flown into a rage during her pregnancy, suffering a severe hemorrhage while giving birth to Lu Li, rendering her infertile and leaving her with a slew of ailments. Consequently, she also hated this newborn who looked exactly like Lu Zhenyuan to death.

Both of Lu Li’s parents were incredibly selfish. Lu Zhenyuan didn’t necessarily love that “white moonlight” either. About two years later, another woman showed up at their door. She was also Lu Zhenyuan’s lover, and she held a four-year-old son in her arms.

Another year passed, and a six-year-old illegitimate son popped up.

Luo Jia becoming a stepmother was one thing, but suddenly becoming a mother to four children—one can only imagine her mood!

Once the window paper was entirely pierced, Luo Jia and Lu Zhenyuan began living their own separate lives, playing around on their own.

You keep women outside, I’ll keep men outside, and just to disgust each other, we’ll even bring our lovers home…

When Lu Li was five years old, seeing a strange uncle kissing his mom, he stood there completely dumbfounded.

What did Luo Jia do? She slapped Lu Li and told him to get back to his room.

With a mother like this, how could Lu Li like her?

In a home like this, how could Lu Li stay?

The only ones who ever gave Lu Li warmth were his elderly grandmother and his cousin Loren, who had lost his parents at a young age.

Unfortunately, his grandmother couldn’t control Luo Jia, and could only ache for her pitiful grandson.

Loren and Lu Li had a great relationship. Although they were cousins, they were closer than those three “blood brothers.”

That Lu Li would fall in love with Xie Jianwei, and love him so extremely, was not unrelated to his upbringing.

Because he had never received love, he treasured it too much.

Loren was still speaking: “Brother Li, at least think about yourself and him. Do you really think they’ll let you go if you hide here? Impossible. No matter which of them inherits the Lu family, they will hunt you down to the ends of the earth. So your only path is to fight for it!”

Lu Li’s expression dimmed, “But he will run.”

Loren froze, then sighed, “You can’t force feelings.”

Lu Li didn’t say anything.

Loren knew about his psychological knot, and knew what state he had been in for that half a year, so he couldn’t bear to say too much. He only said softly, “Think it over carefully. I can still hold the fort outside.”

Having said this, Loren left. Lu Li stood in the living room, looking like that lonely, helpless child from twenty years ago.

Xie Jianwei’s heart ached terribly.

Although the little dark room was fun, Lu Li wasn’t happy.

He wanted to make him happy, to let him truly know that he loved him.

Xie Jianwei took a deep breath, deciding he couldn’t delay any longer. It was time to break this cage from the inside…

Lu Li came into the room a while later, and Xie Jianwei sat on the edge of the bed looking at him.

Lu Li wasn’t surprised. “You’re awake?”

Xie Jianwei said, “I heard everything.”

Lu Li acknowledged it.

Xie Jianwei paused, then suddenly said, “A-Li, let’s get married.”

Lu Li abruptly looked up at him.

Xie Jianwei smiled, his voice gentle, “Let’s get married, become partners for life, that way…”

Lu Li frowned and interrupted him: “It’s useless, marriage is the most useless thing.” His parents were a legally married couple, but what part of them resembled a husband and wife? Hearing Xie Jianwei say this moved him, but he also knew very well that this might just be Xie Jianwei’s “stalling tactic.”

Xie Jianwei said, “It is useful. That ring is absolutely the best thing to bind two people together.”

He looked at Lu Li, adding slowly, “Even people who don’t love each other are forced to compromise because of it.”

He used another perspective to explain Luo Jia and Lu Zhenyuan’s marriage.

It was true, they didn’t love each other, even hated each other, yet were forced to be bound together because of a marriage.

Blindly talking about love was useless, so he had to use something more tangible to give Lu Li some peace of mind.

Moreover, Xie Jianwei had another card up his sleeve.

“You should know that for those four years, I was doing research at the XXX base.”

Lu Li: “Mm.”

Xie Jianwei walked towards him, took his hand, and said, “Actually, I’ve always had an idea. I wanted to do a public welfare project for society, but the funds required for this idea are simply massive, and I couldn’t find a suitable investor, so it could never be launched.”

“A-Li, can you help me?”

Lu Li looked at him. “What are you going to do?”

Xie Jianwei stared at him and said, “Brain chip tracking.”

Lu Li’s pupils shrank sharply.

Xie Jianwei explained, “This is the best way to prevent child abduction. If a chip is implanted at birth, parents will never have to fear not being able to find their children again.”

Lu Li’s heart beat incredibly fast, and Xie Jianwei spoke words that felt as beautiful as a dream: “Once the research and development is successful, I will only give my location information to you.”

That way, no matter if he ran to the ends of the earth, Lu Li would always know where he was.