TMWTGD CH62

Friday was the death anniversary of Xie Jianwei’s elder sister.

It was also one of the rare days Xie Jianwei acted respectable.

On this day, Xie Jianwei woke up early. He picked out a pitch-black suit from the dressing room, dressed carefully from head to toe, and tied a neat necktie. Before stepping out, he pinned a pure white pocket square into his breast pocket.

The pocket square looked rather aged. Even though it had been meticulously cherished by its owner, the traces of time were still etched into its fine texture, adding an endless sense of vicissitude and helplessness.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Xie Jianwei felt a momentary daze.

This was naturally an act. In reality, he didn’t have an elder sister, and as for those two brothers… well, Xie Jianwei could never regard them as family, so how could they count as brothers?

The memories in his mind were crystal clear. The Xie Jianwei in this dream loved his sister deeply.

And Xie Rou was indeed a wonderful elder sister.

Due to unforeseen tragedies, their parents went missing. When they escaped from that den of wolves and tigers, Xie Jianwei was seven years old, and Xie Rou was fourteen.

To take care of her younger brother, Xie Rou did everything within her power, using her frail shoulders to support a tiny family of just the two of them.

That resilient girl clung stubbornly to the desire for her younger brother to survive, enduring endless hardships for it.

Until they met Lu Li and were taken in under his wing.

Yet Lu Li’s background was far too complex. The circle he inhabited and the crimes he bore were beyond what ordinary people could fathom.

Eight years later, Xie Rou transformed from a youthful girl into a gentle, charming adult woman, and Xie Jianwei grew from a young lad into a vibrant youth; both siblings grew exceptionally striking.

Later, Xie Rou married Lu Yan.

Then, Xie Rou died.

The tragic death of the sister he depended on for survival became an untieable knot in Xie Jianwei’s life.

Not to mention…

Outside, a fine drizzle fell continuously. Xie Jianwei did not carry an umbrella as he stepped out of the villa, where a dark vehicle was already waiting.

A subordinate trotted over with an umbrella, but Xie Jianwei waved him off and bent down to get into the car.

Though he had only been in the rain briefly, his overcoat was beaded with droplets, the dampness making even the air inside the car feel humid.

Lu Li sat beside him, saying nothing.

Xie Jianwei settled quietly into his seat without a word.

The car drove forward steadily. The rain outside fell unhurriedly, veiling the entire world in mist, never whipping into fierce gales nor striking the ground violently.

Watching the rain outside, Xie Jianwei said softly, “Sister loved this kind of weather best.”

A continuous drizzle, sipping a pot of hot tea while drinking across from someone, comfortable and leisurely.

Only… the tea grew cold, and the person was gone.

Xie Jianwei’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Lu Li’s peripheral vision swept toward him, but he looked away after just a glance.

Xie Jianwei whispered, “Can you hold me?”

Lu Li said, “Come here.”

Xie Jianwei shifted over to his side.

Lu Li reached out and pulled him entirely into his embrace.

On the spacious back seat, two tightly entwined figures sat exceedingly close, yet harbored entirely different thoughts.

Xie Jianwei buried his head in his neck: “I miss them so much.”

Whether it was “her” or “him,” Lu Li had no idea.

The cemetery was located halfway up a mountain in the near suburbs. The pitter-patter of drizzle made the already desolate mountain feel even more bleak and chilly.

Xie Jianwei and Lu Li got out of the car. The accompanying subordinates had arrived ahead of time and hurried over with umbrellas upon seeing them step out.

Xie Jianwei did not refuse this time. The two walked side by side; the black umbrella kept the rain at bay, but could not block the somber sorrow permeating the air.

Xie Jianwei’s very first memorial in reality had not been for his parents, nor for his two geges, but for Grandmother Lu.

On a barren planet where yellow sand filled the skies, Xie Jianwei had bowed deeply toward that solitary, proud grave, sincerely thanking her for bringing Lu Li to him.

Because of Grandmother Lu, Lu Li actually possessed a very conventional aesthetic standard for women.

He liked women who were resilient, independent, and free, possessing feminine gentleness without lacking masculine decisiveness.

Just like many of the women in his dreams, whether gentle, lively, mature, or cute, none of them were clinging vines dependent on others.

Thinking of this, Xie Jianwei felt Lu Li ought to have been a straight man, so how had he twisted himself into a complete coil?

However…

Xie Jianwei thought of himself as well.

He had never imagined that he would end up with a man one day either, but when the right person arrived, it was simply right. That single person alone could overturn every unbreakable rule.

Because Lu Li met him, and because he met Lu Li.

Thus, they were each other’s true rules.

Though standing before a grief-stricken cemetery, warmth filled Xie Jianwei’s heart.

The person standing shoulder to shoulder with him was the very person he desired most; what could possibly be better than this?

Closing his eyes, Xie Jianwei bowed deeply toward the grave.

Xie Rou was the embodiment of Grandmother Lu. Such a wonderful woman deserved a lifetime of reverence.

When the memorial ended, Xie Jianwei was completely drenched.

As they approached the gravesite, Xie Jianwei hadn’t wanted outsiders nearby, so only he and Lu Li walked up.

He hadn’t wanted an umbrella, and Lu Li had indulged him.

No matter how light the rain, an unbroken drizzle soaked his hair, drenched his shoulders, and trickled down his face and chest, washing over his entire body like comfort sent from a departed soul.

Back in the car, Lu Li said, “Take off the coat.”

Xie Jianwei obediently removed the overcoat, but the suit underneath was soaked through as well, cold dampness pressing against his skin through the thin shirt.

Lu Li frowned slightly. “Change into dry clothes.” There were spare clothes in the car.

Xie Jianwei replied, “Let’s wait until we get back.”

Because today was so solemn, Lu Li did not press the matter.

Both spoke very little. On the drive back, aside from the sound of water dripping from the cuffs of his trousers, no other sound broke the silence.

When night fell completely, Xie Jianwei and Lu Li returned to a villa in the outskirts.

This was Lu Li’s private property, an old-fashioned villa with half its walls draped in lush green ivy, lending an even creepier touch to the gothic architecture.

Xie Jianwei had once asked Lu Li, “Why not hire someone to clear it away?”

Lu Li knew he couldn’t remember things from so long ago, but Xie Jianwei had planted them himself; even if he forgot, Lu Li would preserve them forever.

Gradually, Xie Jianwei had grown accustomed to it. Coming here no longer felt gloomy; even the warm yellow light spilling from the windows seemed comforting.

Lu Li entered the house with him, where the servants had already prepared hot water.

Lu Li said, “Drink some ginger tea before taking a bath.”

“Mm.” Xie Jianwei took the cup, took a sip, and said, “You drink some too.” With that, he handed his cup directly to Lu Li.

Lu Li didn’t take the cup, but drank directly from where Xie Jianwei’s lips had rested.

Xie Jianwei’s heart itched.

Lu Li turned his head away, saying, “Go take a shower.”

Xie Jianwei restrained himself for a long moment before holding back the words “wash together.”

After all, today was far too special a day.

Despite drinking ginger tea promptly and sweating it out in a hot bath, Xie Jianwei ran a fever the next morning.

In the early spring chill, he shivered uncontrollably, curled up beneath the quilt like a pitiful child.

Lu Li came to wake him. Seeing him motionless, he touched his forehead, his heart jumping: “Jianwei?”

Xie Jianwei mumbled groggily, “Let me sleep a bit longer.”

“You have a fever.”

“It doesn’t matter, I’ll be fine once I wake up.”

Lu Li said, “I’ll fetch a doctor.”

“No!” The hazy Xie Jianwei protested repeatedly, “I don’t want shots!”

In truth, the Military Advisor genuinely dreaded this.

In the interstellar era, injections were painless, barely perceptible after several pokes. How could they compare to ancient Earth, with a long steel needle jammed straight into flesh to find a vein?

In reality, Xie Jianwei’s pain tolerance was already somewhat sensitive (though not absurdly so). Upon entering the dream, because Lu Li treasured him to an extreme, this trait had been magnified, making it far worse than in real life.

Even a minor bump made him wince in pain, let alone steel needles piercing flesh.

If Lu Li were a father, he would be the type to surrender all principles the moment his child acted spoiled.

He managed to say, “No shots. Just let the doctor check on you.”

“If he checks, he will definitely give me shots.” Xie Jianwei opened his eyes to look at him, his gaze misty and captivating.

Lu Li surrendered with breathtaking speed: “Then take some medicine first?”

Xie Jianwei said, “Fine.” Still reluctant.

Lu Li went out specifically to find medicine for him, even calling a doctor for consultation.

The person he contacted was the chief physician at Central Hospital. The doctor assumed it was some grave illness, only to learn it was a cold; the physician thought to himself that this was making a mountain out of a molehill!

Yet Lu Li even asked, “Which medicines aren’t bitter and work well?”

The doctor rolled his eyes: “Mr. Lu, good medicine tastes bitter.”

Lu Li: “…”

Unwilling to offend this big shot, the doctor rattled off a string of medication names, adding, “That covers the basics. You may choose at your discretion.”

Traditional herbs were mild, but bitter. Western medicine tasted much better, but carried stronger side effects?

These were minor considerations without much foundation. Besides, for a mere cold and fever, what need was there for medication? Downing several bowls of hot water would cure it.

Yet excessive care bred confusion; when someone was treasured too dearly, losing a single strand of hair caused heartache.

Lu Li finally returned with the medicine.

Xie Jianwei took it obediently, followed by several gulps of warm water.

Lu Li asked, “Are you hungry?”

Xie Jianwei said, “I want to sleep.”

Lu Li said, “Then rest a while longer. We can eat later.”

Xie Jianwei bundled himself in the quilt, exposing only his eyes to look at him: “Sleep together.”

Lu Li: “Hm?”

Xie Jianwei said, “Stay and sleep with me, okay?”

Hearing this clearly, Lu Li’s heart trembled. Had Xie Jianwei become delirious from the fever? To make such a request of him.

Xie Jianwei was naturally not delirious, but he didn’t mind pretending to be.

Gazing at Lu Li with wide, longing eyes, how could Lu Li possibly resist? He didn’t even know how he ended up in bed.

Xie Jianwei burrowed into his arms, sighing with content, “So warm.”

Lu Li felt hot too; hot all over, and hottest in a certain place.

Xie Jianwei loved his embrace and his scent; clinging tightly to him filled his heart with pure sweetness.

“Will I infect you?”

“You caught a chill. It usually isn’t contagious.”

By some bizarre impulse, Xie Jianwei murmured, “Not even if we kiss?”

Lu Li’s entire body froze.

Xie Jianwei tilted his head up. His eyes were veiled in moisture, and due to his high fever, his pale lips had turned a vivid crimson, like succulent cherries hanging from a tree, begging to be tasted.

Lu Li told himself: he is confused from the fever, I cannot act recklessly.

Then Xie Jianwei kissed him.

Xie Jianwei’s voice was as light as a feather: “So sweet.”

It wasn’t that Lu Li’s mouth was sweet, but having taken bitter medicine, Lu Li tasted sweet by comparison.

Lu Li held him down, sweeping frantically through his mouth.

Xie Jianwei’s head was already spinning, and the kiss made him dizzier still.

Flushed with crimson, his voice raspy: “Let’s do it.”

Lu Li’s heart thudded wildly, yet a sliver of reason remained: “Don’t mess around.”

Xie Jianwei licked his dry lips, whispering, “I heard that during a fever… that place gets hot, extremely hot. And… I’m hard.” He pulled Lu Li’s hand to touch him. “Help me, quickly.”

Bang. The brain completely short-circuited. Lu Li pushed the person in his arms down.

As for whether that place was hot or not, neither you nor I know, only Big Li knows best.

Whether the medicine worked or Big Li’s efforts did the trick, after a passionate release followed by a deep slumber, Xie Jianwei’s fever actually broke.

Xie Jianwei felt rather regretful; why did he recover so quickly? He hadn’t played around enough yet!

Although the fever subsided, Lu Li kept him confined here to rest for another two days.

Xie Jianwei wanted to feign illness for two more days, but his temperature was normal, he didn’t cough, and none of the symptoms remained, making it impossible to fake.

He couldn’t very well clutch his stomach and claim abdominal pain!

If his stomach hurt, Big Li wouldn’t have the heart to take him.

Their sweet little honeymoon was thus forced to an end.

As a playboy who drifted among countless flowers without letting a single petal touch him, Xie Jianwei truly didn’t want to see his little lovers.

Yet to maintain character, he had to make the rounds one by one.

Lu Li kept constant track of his itinerary; where he went and whom he met were all laid bare before him.

So obedient when sick, clinging to him like a youth deeply in love.

Yet in the blink of an eye, he was wandering among the flowers again.

Lu Li told himself countless times to stay calm and rational, not to be bewitched by Xie Jianwei, not to harbor expectations; yet saying it repeatedly proved useless.

Four days passed, and Xie Jianwei stayed in four different locations.

While fooling around, he did not forget serious business.

After leaving Sun Qinghai hanging for half a month, Xie Jianwei felt the time was ripe to have a word with him.

Sun Qinghai was trembling with dread. Seeing Xie Jianwei finally arrive, he felt both panicked and relieved; what was bound to come could not be avoided, and he had done all he could.

Xie Jianwei leaned sideways in an armchair, narrowing his eyes at him: “Uncle Sun, you may be old in body, but your heart isn’t. Your nerve is bolder than any youngster’s.”

Sun Qinghai’s legs gave out at those words. He stammered frantically, “Young Master, I am truly wronged! Lust clouded my judgment, allowing that wretched woman to seize an opening! She colluded with some lowlife to move… move a batch of goods under my name!”

“Let’s not beat around the bush. Whether you did it or your little lover did it, in the end, it was done under your authority.”

Large beads of sweat rolled down Sun Qinghai’s forehead: “H-How can you say that? She did it, so how does that make it my doing? Failing to keep tight rein on my subordinates is my mistake, but surely it shouldn’t…”

Xie Jianwei flicked a stack of documents at him.

Sun Qinghai was bewildered, but after a single glance, his scalp went numb and he dropped straight to his knees: “This is impossible! I never did any of this! She wouldn’t have the guts either…”

Xie Jianwei watched him impassively, his voice slow and soft: “When you want to frame someone, an excuse is never hard to find.”

Sun Qinghai’s eyes widened in horror.

Xie Jianwei said, “All of this was prepared for you by Mosen. He’s just waiting for Father to be free before submitting every shred of evidence.”

“This is pure slander! I only ran a single shipment in total, how could there be so many records?! This is blatant fabrication, an investigation will expose it immediately, Mr. Lu would never believe it!”

In his desperate defense, he failed to realize he had let the truth slip. Xie Jianwei chuckled and asked, “So you really did run one shipment?”

Sun Qinghai’s scalp prickled, stammering in panic, “I-I meant…”

Xie Jianwei’s patience evaporated abruptly. He stood up, kicking the man over, his voice icy: “Let me tell you the plain truth. Mosen set a trap for you. These records are completely genuine; goods were moved under your name in reality. What does it matter if you didn’t know? It only proves you’re an idiot who can’t even manage his own inner circle!”

Having reached this point, what was left for Sun Qinghai not to understand? Sitting collapsed on the floor, his face turned ash-white: “Mosen… why would Mosen target me like this? I have no grudges with him!”

“Target you? You aren’t qualified for him to target,” Xie Jianwei said coldly. “You were merely used as a spear. The scheme he spent so much effort weaving wasn’t aimed at you, but at me.”

Sun Qinghai wasn’t stupid; everything fell into place immediately.

Mosen’s real spearhead was aimed at Xie Jianwei.

Yet Xie Jianwei was cautious and maintained strict control over his subordinates, leaving zero vulnerabilities to exploit.

Thus Mosen settled for the next best thing, targeting Sun Qinghai. Although Sun Qinghai wasn’t Xie Jianwei’s direct subordinate, he was an old veteran from the past; out of loyalty and face, Xie Jianwei would grant him some leeway.

Once that face was granted, a huge scandal could be concocted.

Even if it didn’t break Xie Jianwei’s bones, it would cause him severe trouble.

Sun Qinghai said with venomous resentment, “Just to give you trouble, he staked my entire life and fortune?!”

“Naturally, there’s more to it than that.” Xie Jianwei glanced at the papers. “He amassed a fortune, and to walk away clean, he needed a scapegoat.”

Truly killing three birds with one stone.

Mosen reaped massive profits through smuggling, dumped the blame onto Sun Qinghai, used Sun Qinghai to trouble Xie Jianwei, and if handled skillfully, might even drive a wedge between Lu Li and Xie Jianwei.

A brilliant move indeed.

Unfortunately, he crossed paths with Military Advisor Xie.

Sun Qinghai looked utterly defeated, seeing no path of survival before him.

Mosen had planned this from the start while he remained completely oblivious, used like a puppet all along. If Xie Jianwei hadn’t enlightened him, he wouldn’t even know how he died.

Seeing that the timing was right, Xie Jianwei softened his tone: “No need to rush toward your grave just yet. This game isn’t checkmate.”

A spark of life rekindled in Sun Qinghai’s deadened eyes. Looking up at Xie Jianwei, he pleaded, “Young Master, save me, Young Master! I was foolish, but having followed you and Sir through all these years, I… I…”

“Spare me the sob story. Having followed Father and me through all these years, do you not know the rules? Greed swallows the snake; keep babbling and I’ll let you face your due punishment.”

Sun Qinghai shut his mouth instantly.

Xie Jianwei sat back down in the armchair, tapping his fingers lightly: “I can spare your life, but on one condition. You must do something for me.”

Sun Qinghai said frantically, “Please command me, Young Master.”

Xie Jianwei pointed to the stack of files: “Confess to all of this, and name Mosen as the mastermind pulling the strings.”

Sun Qinghai understood, yet still saw little chance of survival.

Xie Jianwei said, “You know my personality. I speak plainly. Continuing to sit in your current position is impossible, and you can forget about washing this guilt clean. Setting aside the fact that you did run one shipment, even if you hadn’t run a single one, this ironclad evidence cannot be erased.”

“Whether you confess or not, the blame lands squarely on you. You might as well admit to it completely and drag Mosen down into the mud with you.”

“Mosen treated you as a scapegoat; are you truly willing to let him walk away scot-free?”

Sun Qinghai was unwilling, but…

Xie Jianwei offered him a lifeline: “As long as you do as I instruct, I will guarantee your life.”

Sun Qinghai asked with trepidation, “Young Master…”

Xie Jianwei smiled at him faintly. “You can consider whether Mosen is more dependable, or if I am.”

The answer was self-evident.

Xie Jianwei tossed out another airy line: “You can also consider whose side Father stands on.”

Those words sobered Sun Qinghai up in an instant.

Mosen was a newcomer; all he saw was the murky, illicit relationship between Xie Jianwei and Lu Li, assuming Xie Jianwei had risen purely by climbing into bed.

Sun Qinghai, however, was a seasoned veteran. He understood a reality far better than most. Lu Li was grooming Xie Jianwei as his sole heir.

In the past, they had not addressed each other as father and son, but as xiongdi.

Then a certain event occurred. From then on, Xie Jianwei and Lu Li depended on each other for survival, and the address changed from gege to Father.

There was only one reason. If Lu Li died, his sole heir would be Xie Jianwei.

Why would Lu Li die? Because they were doing things where an ordinary person could die a hundred times over.

Considering this layer of connection, Sun Qinghai calmed down completely.

For Mosen to bring down Xie Jianwei was an utter impossibility.

Because Xie Jianwei represented Lu Li himself.

How could Mosen ever bring down Lu Li?

Having handled Sun Qinghai, Xie Jianwei still needed to give Mosen an opening to stir up trouble.

Mosen acted cautiously. Even with victory in hand, he could keep his cool, destined to play his trump card only at the most opportune moment to maximize his gains.

When would his gains be maximized?

Xie Jianwei had no choice but to “kindheartedly” lend him a helping hand.

Lu Li’s birthday banquet was scheduled for early May. Although he had thoroughly legitimized his business by now and washed away every trace of his early days, he had made his fortune on the dark side after all, so certain traditions were inevitable.

Subordinates were always looking for opportunities to pay homage. Unable to present gifts during regular holidays, they poured all their efforts into his birthday.

Each of them scoured the earth for rare curios and treasures, racking their brains to curry favor with Lu Li.

Take Zhou Quan for instance. A coarse brute who stubbornly spent millions acquiring calligraphy and paintings by famous masters. Rumor had it he had previously foolishly blown two million on a fake. Fortunately, someone with a sharp eye steered him straight, otherwise presenting that forgery as a birthday gift would have humiliated him to no end.

Others gifted rare rocks, exotic minerals, or peerless jewels. In short, everyone was loaded, splashing cash without restraint.

And this year, a new category was added.

Following Xie Jianwei’s lead, many followed suit, gathering a bevy of beauties with the intent of training them. If one managed to win Lu Li’s favor, everyone connected would rise along with them.

Just look at Xie Jianwei. If not for selling his body, would he be where he was today?

Xie Jianwei claimed this matter had to be kept secret and concealed to give Lu Li a surprise.

Yet how could Lu Li not know?

Not only did he know, he had been brooding in silent fury the entire time, so angry he refused to see him.

Pitiably enough, Xie Jianwei was provoking him on purpose.

Training a newcomer on one hand while drifting among flowers on the other, if Lu Li didn’t summon him, he wouldn’t even think of returning to headquarters.

In just a short week, rumors flew thick and fast outside.

“Looks like Eldest Young Master Xie has truly fallen from grace!”

“Isn’t that right? I saw it myself the day before yesterday. Young Master was clearly right there, yet Mr. Lu turned and left without sparing him a glance.”

“It was so awkward, I tell you. Eldest Young Master Xie tried to step up to him, but Mr. Lu walked right past.”

“Hahaha! No wonder Eldest Young Master Xie is finding a newcomer to secure his favor. He knows his time is up and wants to renew his subscription!”

“Who knows if Mr. Lu will buy into that.”

“Say no more, this is a golden chance. If I spruce myself up, do you think I have a shot… heheh…”

“Get lost! You don’t even measure up to Eldest Young Master Xie’s pinky nail!”

The person was merely joking, laughing out loud upon hearing that.

Xie Jianwei felt the effect was quite good. Without this, Lu Li certainly wouldn’t get mad at him.

And if Lu Li didn’t get mad at him, how would Mosen seize the opportunity?

Xie Jianwei’s intentions were truly painstaking.

After the rumors of Lu Li and Xie Jianwei’s “rift” circulated for nearly half a month, another event occurred that triggered Lu Li’s psychological knot.

On a rare occasion when Xie Jianwei drove himself, he got into a minor scrape.

It wasn’t a big deal, easily settled through insurance claims.

Xie Jianwei didn’t think much of it either, but the other driver apologized profusely: “I am so terribly sorry, I spaced out.”

Hearing that voice, Xie Jianwei couldn’t help taking a closer look at him.

With that look, his heart gave a sudden thump.

This person had something wrong with him.

The man before him was handsome and elegant. A camel-colored trench coat accentuated his tall, slender frame and made his striking looks stand out even more.

Yet what caught Xie Jianwei’s attention most was that his facial features bore a few traces of resemblance to Lu Li.

It was the kind of similarity unnoticeable at a casual glance, but discernible upon closer inspection.

Not overwhelmingly similar, yet undeniably reminiscent.

Was it Lu Li?

No.

Was it “it”?

Hard to say.

Regardless, he was a suspicious character, and Xie Jianwei was keenly intrigued by him.

Xie Jianwei smiled. “It’s fine, just a scratch.”

The man produced a business card, speaking gently: “Allow me to contact the service center. If it’s inconvenient for you to commute without a vehicle, I can provide…”

“No matter.” Xie Jianwei’s garage had enough cars to open a dealership. “I have spares at home.”

The man’s name was intriguing as well: Lu Yan.

Wasn’t that a homophone for Lu Yan?

Xie Jianwei stared at the business card for a while before saying slowly, “This name really resembles an old acquaintance of mine.”

Lu Yan asked with interest, “My surname should be rather rare, right?”

Xie Jianwei shook his head. “His name was Lu Yan, written like this.”

He gestured, and Lu Yan understood, smiling: “What an incredible coincidence.”

Xie Jianwei looked up at him. “It could be considered fate. Could we be friends?”

Lu Yan replied, “The honor is entirely mine.”

The two chatted for a while before their respective assistants arrived to drive their cars away.

Lu Yan suggested, “It’s almost noon. Would you like to have lunch together?”

“Sure,” Xie Jianwei said. “Can you eat spicy food? I know a great spot.”

Lu Yan smiled. “I love it, though I can’t handle too much.”

“That’s fine. As long as you like it, that’s enough.”

Xie Jianwei brought him to a Sichuan restaurant. Eating enthusiastically, the distance between them shrank considerably.

Lu Yan seemed quite taken with Xie Jianwei, wearing a look of regret when parting.

Xie Jianwei’s thoughts shifted as he said, “Mr. Lu, are you free tomorrow?”

Lu Yan replied quickly, “Yes, I am.”

Xie Jianwei said, “Then let’s meet again for lunch.”

“Sounds good.” Lu Yan smiled warmly, delight shining in his eyes.

The two spent about three days interacting like friends. On the fourth day, because Xie Jianwei had been drinking, Lu Yan drove him home.

Stepping out of the car, Xie Jianwei swayed slightly, and Lu Yan rushed to steady him.

Xie Jianwei said, “I’m fine. This bit of alcohol is nothing.”

Lu Yan watched him for a moment before shifting his gaze away: “Your alcohol tolerance is indeed impressive.”

The two stood beneath the streetlamp, their shadows almost fused together.

Watching from above, Lu Li’s expression was dark to the absolute extreme.

Xie Jianwei went upstairs alone. The second he stepped into the apartment, Lu Li seized him in a kiss.

Knowing he was almost certainly jealous, Xie Jianwei was willing to coax him, so riding the alcohol’s buzz, he accommodated him in a long-awaited cowgirl session.

He meant to soothe Lu Li, yet Lu Li felt sick with heartache.

Why was he so excited?

Just because that man was named Lu Yan?

Lu Li could not help recalling those long-past events.

This twisted relationship between him and Xie Jianwei had begun with that beautiful wedding.

Xie Rou and Lu Yan.

One was Xie Jianwei’s elder sister, and the other was Lu Li’s younger brother.

They had stood inside a sacred church, receiving countless blessings and tying the knot with smiles.

At the wedding, Xie Jianwei had smiled radiantly, offering wholehearted blessings to his sister and sincerely thanking the heavens for letting his beautiful sister meet a good partner.

Yet after the banquet dispersed, Xie Jianwei, collapsed drunk in a secluded corner, wept in a daze.

Lu Li went over to help him up, only to hear the words he mumbled.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

What had he done wrong?

Lu Li scooped him into his arms. Xie Jianwei’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum, yet every syllable carried the weight of lead, slamming hard into Lu Li’s heart.

“I’m sorry… Sister, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t love him, I… I shouldn’t…”

He wept in agonizing despair. Taboo emotions gnawed at him like venomous vipers, leaving his voice ragged and devastated.

Who was “he”?

The only person Xie Jianwei didn’t dare mention or even contemplate, while repeatedly apologizing to his beloved sister, could only be Lu Yan.

Xie Jianwei loved Lu Yan.

Lu Li’s heart sank to rock bottom, aching as if the treasure he held in the palm of his hands had suddenly vanished.

Before he could even finish raising him, someone else had already taken root in his heart.

Lu Li felt an intense unwillingness.

Why… why was he so close to him, yet the one Xie Jianwei saw was someone else?

Gazing at the nineteen-year-old youth before him, Lu Li’s heart trembled, and he pressed a kiss against his wet lips.

On that wedding night, the blessed couple embraced each other inside their warm love nest, while the forgotten ones clung together desperately in a filthy corner.

Upon waking, Xie Jianwei’s eyes were filled with confusion.

Lu Li looked at him and said, “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?”

Xie Jianwei blinked blankly, then seemed to understand: “Li ge, did you… mistake me for Sister?”

Lu Li: “…”

The naked youth’s shoulders trembled slightly. Resting his forehead against Lu Li’s chest, he choked out, “No need to apologize. I understand how you feel.”

Understand? If you truly understood, you wouldn’t say such things.

From that point on, Xie Jianwei began avoiding Lu Yan, and even grew distant from Xie Rou.

He threw himself deeper into work, his ruthless methods making his name feared far and wide, while simultaneously embracing a dissolute lifestyle.

Yet after that night, he never crossed that line with Lu Li again.

It was Lu Li who took the initiative to seek him out.

Lu Li said, “If you want to do it, you can find me.”

Xie Jianwei paused. “Li ge, we…”

Lu Li closed his eyes and said, “I can’t forget him.”

This “him” was Xie Jianwei, but Xie Jianwei assumed it was “her,” Xie Rou.

In that instant, looking at Lu Li was like looking into a mirror.

The same unrequited agony, the same taboo immorality, the same stifled anguish.

Xie Jianwei curved his lips into a smile, rising on tiptoe to kiss his lips.

“Don’t be sad. You still have me.”

From that day forth, they fell into this distorted relationship of licking each other’s wounds.

Lu Li could not express his true feelings, because if he did, Xie Jianwei would surely flee.

In the heart of this wild, untamed wolf cub, three people were of paramount importance:

Xie Rou, Lu Yan, and him.

If Xie Jianwei found out that Lu Li loved him, Xie Jianwei would never bear to hurt him, yet being unable to reciprocate his love, what would he do?

Flee to faraway lands.

Those words hovered over Lu Li like a nightmare, haunting him day and night.

Later on… Xie Rou died, and Lu Yan was severely wounded, falling into a coma.

Xie Jianwei searched frantically for the culprit, but the person all clues pointed toward forced him to regain his composure.

Lu Li told him, “Rest assured, I will make them pay with blood.”

Xie Jianwei believed him. He knew this man had loved his sister deeply, and also knew how much he cherished his only younger brother, Lu Yan.

Lu Li shared his pain.

They had lost their blood relatives, and lost the people they cherished most.

Despairing and resentful, they were fugitives crawled out from the depths of hell, with their minds set solely on vengeance.