Lai Li pinched a chestnut, his face expressionless. “I haven’t even said what kind of herbal prescription that was.”
Dai Linxuan said indifferently, “I’ve already drunk whatever it was. Even if it was arsenic, it would’ve taken effect by now.”
“Linxuan, that’s going too far. How could I bear to give you arsenic?” Liu Zeng still thought the brothers were joking. “Little Chestnut knew you hadn’t been sleeping well abroad these past two years, so he specially asked Old Huang the doctor for a calming prescription.”
Liu Zeng had gone abroad with them two years ago and naturally knew Dai Linxuan’s schedule. When Lai Li asked, he hadn’t hidden anything. As someone close to them, he knew better than outsiders how inseparable the two brothers were—they were as close as ears to cheeks.
Old Huang was a resident traditional Chinese medicine doctor at the Dai Family Old Mansion, highly skilled, and his prescriptions were always effective.
Dai Linxuan hooked the corner of his mouth. “I thought it was some prescription for a tricky illness.”
Liu Zeng laughed. “You’re not sick. Why would you need that kind of prescription?”
“How am I not? Same-sex…” Dai Linxuan didn’t finish his words—Lai Li shoved a peeled chestnut into his mouth.
Liu Zeng didn’t catch it clearly. He glanced at the interaction in the rearview mirror and just shook his head, marveling at how close their bond was, even closer than blood brothers.
Dai Linxuan stared at Lai Li, chewing slowly, as if savoring every bit of the delicate, glutinous texture.
“Peel more.” His voice carried a laugh, but his eyes were utterly cold. “That way you won’t have time to talk with food in your mouth.”
Lai Li took a deep breath and silently began peeling chestnuts, tossing them one by one to Dai Linxuan. By the time they entered the group headquarters grounds, the box was just finished.
Today’s Boss Xiao Chen was off his game—the chestnuts were overcooked and tasted bitter.
Then why eat them?
Dai Linxuan thought almost indifferently. It wasn’t like he’d chosen to eat them of his own accord.
Feed and flee? No such good deal. He deserved to stay by his side peeling forever, even if unwilling, even if disgusted, even if his hands bled—he had to continue until buried in the grave.
When getting out of the car, Lai Li said in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Bro, cut it out.”
Lai Li had never imagined he’d say “cut it out” to Dai Linxuan in his lifetime—like some scumbag coaxing his girlfriend in a cheap drama.
Though homosexuality wasn’t all that rare in their circle, it was absolutely not something to be shown in public. Toying with pretty young boys was a pastime, entertainment, but never proper.
Over the years, there had been no shortage of related scandals in high-society and wealthy family circles, and without exception, they were ugly affairs—some even fatal.
No matter how good Dai Linxuan’s reputation had been before, the moment it connected to “homosexuality,” it was like standing bare-handed in the street, where anyone could splash filth on him.
“Whether you’re really like that or not, whether you can change in the future…” Lai Li paused. “You can’t let anyone else know.”
Dai Linxuan walked forward without looking back.
The glass sliding doors sensed someone and opened automatically, a blast of cold air hitting them in the face. Several executives approached with smiles, greeting, “Linxuan.”
Dai Linxuan nodded and stopped to exchange pleasantries.
The group headquarters executives were all older, with seniority and shares to back it up—some even bore the Dai surname. They carried themselves as elders toward Dai Linxuan, lecturing him like a junior.
Lai Li stood to the side with his hands in his pockets.
Once they finished chatting, the topic turned to him. “Why’s Little Chestnut standing so far? How’d your neck get injured?”
They sounded so affectionate, but Lai Li didn’t even recognize most of them—maybe seeing them once or twice a year at banquets.
And Lai Li wasn’t one to remember faces.
But with Dai Linxuan there, Lai Li gave them face, calling out “Uncle” and “Uncle-in-law” a few times, and glossing over the neck injury without answering. Fortunately, they weren’t truly concerned—just some polite small talk and perfunctory questions about his studies before saying goodbye.
Dai Linxuan stood at the elevator entrance and called, “Lai Li.”
Lai Li disliked the form of address and didn’t respond.
In response to his earlier words, Dai Linxuan said, “My orientation, who I’m with, and whatever end I come to—those are my own affairs.”
“…” Lai Li frowned deeply.
There were many uncomfortable points in those words, but the most intolerable was “end”—as if Dai Linxuan already knew he wouldn’t have a good outcome.
“You wouldn’t say it’s none of my business, right? If you’re not okay, I won’t be either.” There were many employees passing through the lobby. Lai Li smoothed his brows and smiled like chatting casually. “Bro, I hope your life stays bright and upright.”
Dai Linxuan turned his head to meet Lai Li’s serious gaze. His lips moved as if to speak when the executive elevator in front of them dinged. A mechanical female voice announced from inside, “First floor arrived.”
The doors slid open to reveal two passengers, likely just up from the basement.
One stood at the side rear, holding files. She was reporting work when the doors opened, paused upon seeing the people outside, and called, “President Dai.”
The other was clearly her superior, dressed in a light gray suit, one hand in his pocket, the other hanging naturally at his side. His shoulder-length short hair looked neat and sharp, and the wrinkles at his eyes couldn’t hide his striking features.
Even with outsiders present, anyone could see at a glance that Dai Linxuan was carved from the same mold as her.
She stepped aside to make room.
The words on the tip of his tongue dissipated. Dai Linxuan called, “President Jiang.”
In the company, no family ties—everyone was addressed by title, no matter how close.
Dai Linxuan walked in calmly and turned to look at Lai Li outside the elevator.
Those few seconds stretched infinitely, slowed down, as if an invisible, intangible mist seeped through his pores into his veins, threading toward his heart—inescapable, blurring his heartbeat, paling the red flesh.
Dai Linxuan half-lowered his eyelids, his peripheral vision catching his mother’s pale wrist adorned with a jade bracelet.
It had long ceased to be bright, long… without anywhere to be upright.
“Godmother.” Lai Li walked in, his tone polite and formal.
Though nominally adopted by the Dai Family, Lai Li didn’t interact much with the others. Jiang Qiujun had taken over her husband’s position the year he joined the family, surrounded by wolves and tigers—any misstep could mean being devoured. Naturally, she had little time for her children.
If Dai Linxuan rarely saw her, Lai Li saw her even less.
Jiang Qiujun glanced over. “What happened to your neck?”
“A knife graze.” Lai Li didn’t lie, just omitted part. He couldn’t very well tell Jiang Qiujun that under the gauze were her son’s neat, ferocious bite marks, like a zombie attack.
Jiang Qiujun withdrew her gaze without pressing. “Don’t let a moment’s impulse put you in danger.”
Lai Li nodded. “Got it.”
Dai Linxuan curved the corner of his eye, mocking his rare humility.
The display numbers climbed rapidly. People entered and exited midway, all politely greeting “President Jiang, President Dai,” exchanging meaningless formalities before leaving at their floors.
The atmosphere was strangely tense.
Lai Li wasn’t deeply involved in Dai Family matters but could guess it related to the upcoming board meeting. Once Dai Linxuan officially joined the board, Jiang Qiujun’s control over the Dai Family would deepen. Until the results were out, these neutral elders and executives wouldn’t take sides lightly.
The elevator chimed: “Twenty-fifth floor, arrived.”
“He’s waiting for you in the reception room.” Jiang Qiujun suddenly spoke. “Little Chestnut, you don’t need to follow.”
Lai Li’s eyes flickered. Who was “he”?
Dai Linxuan clearly knew who it was and voiced no questions. “Turn left to the end—my office. Wait there for me.”
Lai Li agreed. He knew his brother had recently been given the vice president title at the group, with his own independent office.
Dai Linxuan took two steps before Jiang Qiujun called him. “Linxuan, I don’t necessarily need your help.”
Dai Linxuan paused but didn’t turn back. He pushed through layers of glass doors into the reception room.
Backlit, an old man in a wheelchair beckoned Dai Linxuan, gesturing for him to lean down.
Lai Li narrowed his eyes—it was Dai Songxue. No wonder Jiang Qiujun didn’t want him following. The old man was Dai Linxuan’s grandfather and extremely disliked him, though they kept up appearances.
Dai Songxue had retired for years, hemiplegic for years and wheelchair-bound. Why come to the company to see his grandson? Why not summon him directly to the Dai Family Old Mansion? Unless there was something that had to be discussed at the company…
Or Dai Linxuan had been deliberately avoiding him, just like hiding abroad these past two years.
What did Jiang Qiujun’s “I don’t necessarily need your help” mean?
Jiang Qiujun’s voice came from behind. “Little Chestnut, come to my office.”
Lai Li’s heart skipped, but his expression remained normal.
Jiang Qiujun suddenly calling him over couldn’t be for chit-chat. Either to warn him not to cause trouble for Dai Linxuan at this juncture, or… she knew about Dai Linxuan’s orientation, even that her son might like his adopted son, and was about to give him a talking-to or warning.
In the short half-minute walk, Lai Li’s mind raced through possibilities and responses.
But Jiang Qiujun merely pulled a contract from her office drawer and handed it to Lai Li. “Too busy lately, no time to give it to you.”
Lai Li took it and glanced— a car purchase contract worth eight figures.
“A gift for starting university.” Jiang Qiujun was concise. “Have fun, but stay safe.”
Lai Li accepted it. “Thanks, Godmother.”
Jiang Qiujun was a dignified person. Though she had no blood ties or feelings for Lai Li, she still had her secretary prepare birthday and holiday gifts every year. Lai Li had done plenty of outrageous things over the years, but she’d never said a harsh word to his face.
Even so, Lai Li still disliked this woman.
Though most people in the world besides Dai Linxuan fell into his “dislike” category, Jiang Qiujun was different… Lai Li and her were like a venomous snake facing an eagle.
In the past, even if the eagle wouldn’t attack, even with slim odds, he’d find every way to strike and inject venom, strangling the faint threat until it vanished.
But she was Dai Linxuan’s mother.
So Lai Li could only disguise himself, suppressing the urge to kill.
Jiang Qiujun stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. Hearing no footsteps of Lai Li leaving and issuing no dismissal, she asked, “How was Linxuan abroad these two years?”
Lai Li’s eyes flickered… Jiang Qiujun hadn’t contacted Dai Linxuan much these years either, and there seemed to be a rift between mother and son. Otherwise, why ask him?
“Pretty good,” he said.
“Pretty good? I thought you two told each other everything.” Jiang Qiujun faced the window. “How could it be good?”
Her tone was flat, no sarcasm, no concern—just stating facts.
Lai Li clasped his hands behind his back, lightly clenched a fist, and restrained his voice. “Why couldn’t it be?”
Jiang Qiujun raised her hand, stroking the lucky bamboo on the nearby table. “You’re with Linxuan the most, so you should know best what kind of person he is.”
Lai Li’s gaze fell on her fingertip—the bamboo stood straight in clear water, evergreen and pure.
Jiang Qiujun said slowly, “Sometimes I wonder, in a place like the Dai Family’s deep compound, with no one deliberately guiding him, how he developed that pure and chaste temperament.”
Lai Li said, “Good people turn toward good, evil toward evil.”
“And you? Good or evil?” Jiang Qiujun turned calmly. “Outsiders say Linxuan is uncarved jade, and you’re the one flaw embedded in it, bound to ruin him eventually.”
“You think so too.” Lai Li met her gaze coolly.
“Quite the opposite.” Jiang Qiujun snapped off a bamboo segment and toyed with it. “White paper is most easily ruined, a single bamboo easiest to break. Some jade with a bit of dust— that’s a good thing.”
Lai Li was silent for a moment. “Is that why you didn’t stop big bro from adopting me back then?”
…
“Mr. Lai, you have a great figure. This suit fits perfectly—very tailored.” The stylist smiled. “Not custom-made, but no one’s worn it.”
Dai Linxuan couldn’t really let Lai Li attend the afternoon auction in a T-shirt and jeans. Custom was too rushed, so they picked a ready-made formal outfit.
The stylist had good taste, selecting a pure black suit for Lai Li with a patterned shirt underneath. Lai Li’s posture was straight, refined over twelve years—he wore it like a natural-born young master from wealth.
Dai Linxuan sat on the sofa, fingers curved against his forehead, a faint smile as he watched Lai Li. “This one really suits you.”
Lai Li glanced back and told the stylist, “You can go.”
“Alright.” The stylist said considerately, “The ties are all in this drawer. Mr. Dai knows.”
Once the fitting room was left with just the two of them, Lai Li suddenly said, “It looks awful.”
Dai Linxuan didn’t react at first. “Huh? It doesn’t look bad…”
Lai Li said, “Your smile looks awful.”
In fact, anyone else wouldn’t have noticed any difference from Dai Linxuan’s usual self. It was just that Lai Li was too sensitive to changes in Dai Linxuan’s mood.
After a while, Dai Linxuan sighed and lifted his chin. “Come here.”
Lai Li walked over to the sofa and looked down at his brother. “Why are you in a bad mood after seeing Dai Songxue?”
Dai Linxuan was straightforward. “I don’t want to tell you.”
“…”
Seeing Lai Li rarely at a loss for words, Dai Linxuan genuinely laughed for a good while. “Pants. Take them off.”
Lai Li’s face suddenly darkened. “Dai Linxuan—”
“This shirt’s fabric isn’t good. It’s too wrinkled and needs shirt clips to help.” Dai Linxuan’s fingertip lightly tapped Lai Li’s thigh as he said leisurely, “Take them off, and I’ll tell you why.”
