“Many people at home are at odds with me on the surface and in their hearts, but they still call me that. It’s just a form of address.” Dai Linxuan turned on the faucet. “If you don’t need to pee, come wash your hands. You’ve been touching mahjong tiles all afternoon—they’re full of germs.”
Lai Li walked over and obediently did so. “Why choose a director with ulterior motives?”
“He’s capable, has good character, and those motives didn’t just appear today.” Dai Linxuan looked at the figure in the mirror and said calmly, “Xiao Li, I told you, don’t cross the line again.”
Lai Li’s handwashing paused, his eyes drooping slightly at the corners.
“Who I date and who I’m close to is my business.” Dai Linxuan’s expression was mild, yet carried an unyielding dominance. “It’s a fact that I like men—it’s unchangeable, and I have no intention of being a scumbag who deceives someone into marriage and pregnancy just to maintain appearances. You’d better accept it sooner rather than later.”
Lai Li said coldly, “Impossible.”
In the past, Dai Linxuan might have misunderstood it as jealousy, but now he didn’t take it to heart. He rinsed his hands under the water flowing from Lai Li’s palm. “If I had another target, you’d be free sooner, right?”
Lai Li’s expression was suppressed as he suddenly grabbed Dai Linxuan’s wrist. “Ge—”
“I didn’t say a word when you went to those social parties.” Dai Linxuan easily slipped his fingers free thanks to the water’s lubrication. “I was just having a normal chat with my director—what’s there to be mad about? Besides, I don’t have any interest in him right now.”
“Xiao Li, no matter who ends up by my side in the future, that person won’t threaten you.”
“—You’ll always be my little brother.”
Lai Li wanted to possess “Gege,” and Dai Linxuan indulged him.
The evening dinner had only four people: Li Zheng, Yan Luan, Dai Linxuan, and Tang Yue’s father.
Coincidentally, their dining spot was also at the Seaboard, in a private restaurant with distinctive flavors. The private room had floor-to-ceiling windows offering a full view of the deep blue sea. The moonlight was beautiful that night, the sea surface shimmering with waves.
“Is that Xiao Li?” Li Zheng stood by the window with interest, observing the beach through binoculars.
Thirty meters away was the bonfire party’s venue, where countless handsome men and beautiful women mingled, wearing scant clothing despite the chill. They exchanged flirtatious glances, pinched arms, groped thighs—it was all routine. If they hit it off, they might leave together on the spot; bolder ones would simply find a secluded spot under the cover of night for a wild romp.
This was a party with a pure purpose: indulgence of the body. Lai Li had rarely participated before, so Jing Deyu and Huo Fei hadn’t invited him at first.
Li Zheng lowered the binoculars and teased, “Xiao Li’s quite popular.”
In the few minutes he’d watched, several people—men and women—had approached him.
Dai Linxuan had mild nearsightedness and no binoculars, so the figures on the beach were just blurry shapes, though the flickering firelight stood out clearly.
His gaze dropped to the floor for less than a second before lifting again. He smiled faintly at the hazy beach. “After all, with his conditions, who knows what kind of person he’ll end up with.”
“You’ve raised Xiao Li well.” Li Zheng let out a long sigh, somewhat emotional. “He’s luckier than me and Yan Luan, luckier than those who didn’t make it out of the Slum District alive—he met you.”
Dai Linxuan smiled but didn’t respond.
Li Zheng pulled out a chair and sat down, his gaze sweeping around with dissatisfaction. “Why is it all red wine? Bring some baijiu for real kick.”
Yan Luan, who had just entered, heard this and gave him a helpless look.
Li Zheng waved her off. “You and Old Tang drink red; Linxuan and I will do white.”
It had finally come.
Dai Linxuan’s expression remained unchanged as he called the manager for a few bottles of baijiu, accepting Li Zheng’s challenge.
Li Zheng raised an eyebrow. “Looks like Linxuan’s got a good tolerance?”
After several rounds, with everyone merry, a satisfied expression finally appeared on Li Zheng’s face. Tang’s father said he was stepping out for a smoke and patted Dai Linxuan’s shoulder reassuringly as he passed. Yan Luan’s eyes flickered as she said everyone should drink less and went out for some air too.
The private room was left with just Li Zheng and Dai Linxuan.
They clinked glasses again, downing the fiery liquor.
“You don’t even flush when you drink, and you’re still standing… Peanuts to go with the booze.” Li Zheng’s face was flushed, but his eyes were clear. He peeled shells as he spoke. “—Why do these things?”
The last question came abruptly. Dai Linxuan steadied his alcohol-dazed brain and replied after a few seconds, “Someone has to do it.”
Li Zheng stared at him steadily for a moment. “Now I somewhat believe those media evaluations of you… After all, you carry her blood.”
“Mother’s fine, as for me…” Dai Linxuan laughed dazedly for a bit. “I’m just like that.”
Li Zheng asked, “Not afraid?”
Dai Linxuan: “Afraid of what?”
“People need a conscience, but those with too much often don’t live well.” Li Zheng stood and filled two shot glasses. “They’re just old matters—why dig them up?”
Dai Linxuan took one and poured it down his numb throat. Once the burn faded, he said faintly, “What if it’s not just old matters?”
Li Zheng paused, the smile gradually fading from his face.
“How many vermin did this land shelter back then? Can the prisons hold them all?” Dai Linxuan leaned back, arm casually draped over the chair back, a hint of mocking nonchalance in his brows. “—Wangshan Temple’s incense is burning brighter these days.”
The room fell silent for a long time.
On the nearby beach, the second-generation rich sprayed expensive champagne while flirting, their coquettish screams and playful banter drifting faintly through the hazy night.
They’d somehow gotten a row of fireworks, which burst open the night sky in vibrant colors.
“You bear the Dai surname.” Li Zheng admired the fireworks. “The world holds you so high now—once you fall, it won’t be just a broken leg. It could be total ruin, shattered to pieces—still going to do it?”
…
Lai Li told his Nth admirer to “get lost.”
Huo Fei tumbled into the pool with a pretty girl, splashing water everywhere. As she gasped and clung to his neck, he swam back to the shore with her.
He slicked back his wet hair and blew her a kiss before sitting next to Lai Li. “Why’d you even come? Not into girls or guys—are you meditating here like some immortal cultivator?”
Lai Li lounged on the chair, eyes narrowed. “Where’s he?”
“Who knows, probably off for a wild one.” Huo Fei leaned in slyly. “Guess between Bao Song and him—who tops?”
“You know?”
“That’s why I’m making you guess!” Huo Fei laughed roguishly. “Bao Song’s about your height but so buff—think he’d bottom willingly?”
Lai Li straightened slightly, crossing his long, powerful legs. “He’s already kept—lying down’s nothing. Just positions.”
“True.” Huo Fei got a bit envious and pretended to use him for leverage to stand, reaching to touch Lai Li’s leg—but his wrist was twisted before contact, making him yelp in pain. “I was wrong! I was wrong!”
Lai Li’s phone buzzed. He loosened his grip and glanced down.
“You’re wasting that face, you know!” Huo Fei grumbled. “So many beauties at the Seaboard, none catch your eye? —Hey! Where you going?”
Lai Li grabbed his jacket to find his brother.
Five minutes later, he reached the Seaboard parking lot and said to the driver, “Uncle Zeng, what a coincidence.”
“…Coincidence?” Liu Zeng muttered inwardly—you seem pretty targeted.
Dai Linxuan reeked of alcohol, his face showing no signs of drunkenness, his voice sounding clear at first. “Lai Li, why are you here?”
In reality, he could barely stand, let alone muster strength—he’d tugged futilely at the car door several times. It was rare to see Dai Linxuan this drunk; he was always composed, seldom letting himself lose consciousness like this.
“I’ll handle it.” Lai Li wrapped an arm around Dai Linxuan’s waist, blocking Uncle Zeng’s touch, and helped him into the car alone.
Dai Linxuan slumped against the inner door. Lai Li leaned over him, adjusting his position while asking, “Did Li Zheng give you trouble?”
“No.” Disliking the feel of Lai Li’s breath on his face, Dai Linxuan turned his head slightly and asked softly, “Did you meet anyone you like tonight?”
“No.” Lai Li pinched his brother’s chin, forcing eye contact. “Ge, you’re drunk.”
Dai Linxuan lowered his gaze and hummed in acknowledgment.
Drunk, he spoke very little.
Lai Li couldn’t hold back and rubbed Dai Linxuan’s smooth white chin with slight pressure.
A “bang” came from upfront—Liu Zeng had gotten into the driver’s seat and started the car. He was in a bind; Dai Linxuan was supposed to return to his nearest residence, but he’d strictly forbidden sharing the address with Lai Li…
What now?
Liu Zeng could only hope he was still sober. “Linxuan, where to tonight?”
Lai Li gripped Dai Linxuan’s waist and gently pulled him closer—it looked from behind like Dai Linxuan had leaned over himself.
He met the eyes in the rearview mirror. “Hezi Mountain Mansion.”
Liu Zeng was stunned—Lai Li knew? He didn’t overthink, assuming the brothers had reconciled and were back to being inseparable, sharing addresses again.
Half an hour later, the car stopped in the mansion’s underground garage.
Lai Li shook the drowsy Dai Linxuan and helped him out, refusing Liu Zeng’s assistance.
At the elevator, Lai Li grabbed Dai Linxuan’s finger for fingerprint verification.
Dai Linxuan pulled away several times, frowning. “Don’t touch me.”
“Why not?—I’m touching anyway.” Lai Li tightly encircled his drunk brother and forced his hand onto the panel.
Lai Li had to get through this door today.
“Xiao Li…” In the elevator, Dai Linxuan murmured lowly with his remaining awareness, as if trailing off with unspoken words.
The elevator rose and stopped at the tenth floor.
Out of elevator camera range, Lai Li didn’t want to wait a second. He backed up step by step, luring Dai Linxuan toward him.
“Ge…” He pulled him into a full embrace, lightly sniffing his neck, a sickly satisfaction in his eyes. “Don’t let other men touch you.”
Dai Linxuan didn’t respond, eyes closed—he’d clearly passed out.
Facial recognition failed repeatedly, so Lai Li tried the code. After several failures, he suddenly recalled two years ago, on that birthday when Dai Linxuan unusually skipped a party and took him alone to the Vacation Villa.
He entered the last two digits of the year—”Verified!”
Lai Li’s eyes darkened instantly—something must have happened on that birthday*.
The house was dark; Lai Li could barely make out the bedroom direction. He carried Dai Linxuan there, kicked open the door, and gently placed him on the bed.
Lai Li knelt on the bed, reaching over to turn on the bedside lamp.
His dangling shirttail brushed Dai Linxuan’s face. In his sleep, he frowned and turned away, half his face sinking into the soft bedding—looking gentle and serene, utterly unlike his rejection of others when awake.
Lai Li gazed for a moment, then lifted Dai Linxuan to strip off his coat, tossing it aside.
Somehow, a shirt button had come undone, revealing glimpses of pale chest.
Lai Li stared, then involuntarily reached in through the parted collar, feeling warmth.
He grasped the handful of jade-like skin and kneaded intimately. The body beneath trembled sharply, shrinking away evasively.
“Ge, don’t be scared…” Lai Li soothed softly, but his palm pressed closer.
A certain spot scraped his fingertip’s wound, bringing a slight sting.
This reminded Lai Li of the paternity test report, darkening his eyes further. Far from stopping, he undid the remaining shirt buttons, parting the fabric to expose large expanses of jade-pale skin. Feeling the chill, his brother’s body shivered again.
“Truly beautiful…”
Lai Li gripped Dai Linxuan’s neck, forcing his head up, caressing the jade-like body inch by inch—from chest to collarbone, past the prominent Adam’s apple, finally stopping at the slightly pale lips.
“Bad stomach and still drinking… Is Li Zheng that important?”
Dissatisfied, Lai Li rubbed until satisfactory color bloomed on the lips.
He tilted his head slightly, suddenly recalling Dai Linxuan’s earlier question: “That morning at the auction, you stayed in the secondary bedroom for two hours—what did you do, Xiao Li?”
Lai Li licked his teeth and, in this moment, gave his answer—
He seized Dai Linxuan’s hand and guided it past the barrier of the fabric toward himself. He dipped it into a bit of the overflowing white fluid, then used his brother’s own hand to part his lips and fed that bit inside.
“Bro, be good…” Lai Li coaxed in a low voice. “Swallow it, okay?”
