Chapter 49

Halfway through the Summer Camp, Gu Yunchi had had enough and decided to return home; Lu Heyang and He Wei took a couple of days’ leave and came back with him.

Their plane landed in the morning; Lu Chengyu and Lu Qingmo were also returning that same day, though they traveled on a Lianmeng Government charter.

Back home, Lu Heyang showered and slept for an hour; after waking and eating lunch, he drove out. Lu Chengyu and Lu Qingmo would be busy with many things after their return and probably wouldn’t be home early.

It was unusually hot today, the roads empty; Lu Heyang drove faster than usual, and after about fifty minutes, he parked under a roadside tree and looked across the street through the car window.

This was the necessary route from the Chengxi Highway Entrance and the Wharf into the City District, surrounded mostly by auto repair shops and long-haul logistics companies.

The repair bays all faced the road. In the auto shop on the left front, a jeep was parked on a mechanic’s lift, a pair of legs visible beneath it. About ten minutes later, those legs bent, pulling the body on a rolling board; the Alpha lying flat on it slid out from under the vehicle, stood up, and placed the tool in his hand into a nearby box.

Xu Ze wore a dark blue jumpsuit, old and worn, with hardly a clean spot left. He pulled off his oil-stained gloves and stuffed them into a pocket, walked to the small table under the rolling shutter door, picked up a boxed meal, squatted down right there, switched on the Xiao Feng fan on the table, and began eating, head bowed, bite by bite in the sweltering heat of the blazing sun.

It was already half past one.

In this kind of weather, a fan was hardly any use; Xu Ze ate while occasionally tilting his head to wipe sweat from his face with his shoulder.

An Omega came out from the shop next door, probably the vehicle’s owner. He offered Xu Ze a cigarette; Xu Ze looked up, shook his head, and went back to eating. After only a few bites, Xu Ze closed the meal box, cleaned up the trash, stuffed it into a takeout bag, tied it, and placed it by the door—the entire meal had taken less than three minutes.

Xu Ze stood up, a good head taller than the Omega; that dirty jumpsuit made his face look especially clean and striking. Lu Heyang noticed Xu Ze had tanned a little.

After exchanging a few words with the owner by the car, Xu Ze put his gloves back on and pulled the toolbox under the vehicle again.

From that time Xu Ze had helped change a tire, it was clear he was skilled, but Lu Heyang hadn’t expected Xu Ze to actually know how to repair cars.

Some people were multi-talented because they had the means to pursue the finer things, so they mastered instruments, equestrianism, fencing, everything. Some knew boxing, car repair, could play pool blindfolded, because they needed to make a living, to earn medical fees for a loved one.

Many skills are no burden, but poverty can crush a man.

And Xu Ze had grown up silently in such a life, covered in scars, grown tall, his spine straight.

Lu Heyang withdrew his gaze, sat quietly for a few seconds, turned the car around, and drove away.

A little after six, Xu Ze returned to his neighborhood, pushed his bicycle behind the building and leaned it against the wall. He hadn’t worn his Wristband while working, so the higher he climbed the stairs, the more he felt something was off—though it was faint, an S-Class Alpha was always acutely sensitive to a Pheromone.

For the last flight, Xu Ze almost ran, looking up, seeing the person standing at the door bit by bit.

Lu Heyang leaned against the wall; hearing Xu Ze come up, he turned off his Mobile Phone and straightened. “You’re back?”

“……” Xu Ze gripped the handrail, his throat working once before he asked, “Is the Summer Camp over?”

It had only been half a month apart; busy with repairs every day, time hadn’t felt long, yet seeing Lu Heyang now, Xu Ze felt a sense of unreality.

This sense of unreality came from the severe disconnect between Lu Heyang and his own reality—to smell flowers in a deep ditch is to feel disoriented.

“Not yet. Took leave to get some air.”

Xu Ze nodded slowly in response, took out his keys, and opened the door. He deliberately kept distance from Lu Heyang, because he smelled of engine oil and was drenched in sweat.

“Did you wait long?” Xu Ze asked after entering.

“It’s fine.” Seeing Xu Ze seemed guilty, Lu Heyang said, “I came without telling you; waiting a bit is only fair.”

Then he asked Xu Ze, half in earnest, half in jest, “How about giving me a key to your place?”

“Okay.” Xu Ze answered without hesitation, as if Lu Heyang had asked for the property deed and he could hand it over on the spot.

“You should shower first.” Lu Heyang smiled. “We’ll have dinner together later; He Wei and Yun Chi are back too.”

Realizing Lu Heyang’s request for a key had been a joke, Xu Ze lowered his eyes, nodded, went to his room for a change of clothes. Passing Lu Heyang on his way out, Lu Heyang reached out and plucked the old T‑shirt from Xu Ze’s arms.

“Don’t wear this one; wear the one I gave you.”

“Okay.” Xu Ze said obediently. He didn’t go back for more clothes, heading to the bathroom first.

Lu Heyang took the clothes to the room; the moment he entered, he sensed a clear change. He looked up at the window—inside the thin white curtains, a layer of dark gray blackout curtains had been added.

‘The curtains are too thin; the room’s so bright, you must have trouble sleeping.’

Xu Ze had lived here so long without ever thinking to add blackout curtains, but because of that casual remark Lu Heyang made half a month ago, he had quietly installed them.

He couldn’t be sure whether Lu Heyang would come again, whether he would nap here; Xu Ze didn’t consider these things. His logic had always been simple—if Lu Heyang said it, he would do it.

Soon, Xu Ze came out of the bathroom, drying his hair as he went to the wardrobe for a T‑shirt. Lu Heyang sat on the chair by the desk; once Xu Ze had dressed, he said, “Come here.”

Outside, the sky had darkened; the room was unlit, the curtains rustling softly in the evening breeze. Xu Ze rubbed his hair a few times with the towel and walked over. Lu Heyang took Xu Ze’s lowered right hand, squeezed his palm, and said, “You feel thinner.”

“Is the work hard?” he asked.

“No.” Xu Ze shook his head.

The expected answer; Lu Heyang didn’t press further. Xu Ze’s hands were lean and slender, hands that should have been quite beautiful, but his fingertips and knuckles bore many calluses, rough to the touch—though the center of his palm was especially soft. Lu Heyang squeezed it a few more times.

“Let’s go; He Wei and the others are here.”

“Mm.”

Xu Ze went to get his Mobile Phone and keys; Lu Heyang stood and walked out. After only a few steps, his hand was suddenly taken. Lu Heyang turned back, surprised; Xu Ze neither looked at him nor spoke, simply taking the initiative to hold his hand.

From the bedroom door to the front door, a distance of just a few meters. Before stepping out, as Lu Heyang was thinking how to broach the subject, Xu Ze very consciously let go.

He was actually far more cautious than Lu Heyang, careful and easily satisfied.

The car was parked downstairs. Seeing them emerge, He Wei got out from the driver’s seat and said, “Heyang, you drive; I’ll sit in the back with Xu Ze.”

Xu Ze glanced at Lu Heyang, then got into the back seat with He Wei.

“Chi Jiahán went to the Summer Camp too; he asked me to ask how your summer’s going~” He Wei said with a grin.

“He’s lying.” Gu Yunchi said flatly from the passenger seat. “Chi Jiahán hasn’t paid him any attention.”

“Shut up!” He Wei punched the back of the passenger seat. “He talked to me at Heyang’s birthday party, okay?”

“You were drunk and harassed him first.” Gu Yunchi corrected him.

Xu Ze, who hadn’t spoken until now, asked, “Birthday party?”

He Wei’s words made him think the day he’d given his gift wasn’t Lu Heyang’s actual birthday.

“Oh, it was a make‑up party.” Mentioning this, He Wei’s expression grew mischievous. “Remember that Omega I mentioned last time, our Young Master Lu’s future wife? He came to the party too. I’ll show you a photo, wait, let me find it.”

He swiped through his Mobile Phone album a few times and held it out to Xu Ze. “Look, the one standing to Heyang’s left.”

Xu Ze wasn’t in a state to think clearly; before he could focus on the screen, Lu Heyang suddenly braked. Xu Ze instinctively reached out to brace against the driver’s seatback.

“What are you doing!” He Wei cried out. Lu Heyang always drove steadily; this brake wasn’t hard, since the speed was already slow, but He Wei still felt startled.

“A little dog ran across the road.” Lu Heyang explained calmly, then asked, “Did you get bumped?”

“Of course! My phone even fell!”

But Lu Heyang said, “I wasn’t asking you.”

The air went quiet for a moment. Xu Ze answered, “I didn’t get bumped.”

He Wei felt absurd. “No one cares about me?”

“No.” Gu Yunchi said. “Only someone who wants to throw you out of the car.”

“What, it’s not like it’s a secret.” He Wei picked up his phone, leaned forward, and asked Lu Heyang, “You really don’t like him?”

“I don’t.” Lu Heyang answered directly.

“What if Uncle Lu orders you? Would you get engaged to him later?”

“No.”

Xu Ze stared blankly at Lu Heyang’s brows and eyes in the rearview mirror. When Lu Heyang said ‘don’t’ and ‘no,’ he didn’t fantasize about whether he himself had a chance; he only felt as if he’d temporarily escaped a tight spot and caught his breath, a little lighter.

“Whoa, gutsy.” He Wei leaned back. “You don’t just not like him; I think you don’t like all of humanity.”

“Lu Heyang, why are you so devoid of desire? Is it impotence?” He Wei’s tone was both regretful and innocent. “If it’s impotence, you should go to the hospital; early detection, early treatment. Xiao Yang, you’re still so young, there’s definitely hope for a cure; don’t give up, okay?”

Lu Heyang didn’t speak, but suddenly lifted his eyes, staring at Xu Ze’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Their gazes met in that small mirror; Xu Ze, caught off guard, froze, then hurriedly looked away.

At the Capital City Foreign Guests Hotel, Lu Qingmo concluded a diplomatic event and left the hall. Her high heels trod on deep purple patterned carpet, making no sound; as she walked, she removed her hair clip, her long, curly hair spilling down, easing her headache a little.

Rounding a marble column, two meters away, a young man stood by the railing on a phone call. After speaking softly for a few sentences, he hung up, and when he looked up, his eyes met Lu Qingmo’s.

Lu Qingmo unconsciously halted, her hand clutching her bag tightening bit by bit. She rarely had such stunned moments; all these years she had been calm and rational, like a piece of splendid ice.

The handsome Beta paused a moment, then walked toward Lu Qingmo. His left leg limped slightly as he walked, a regrettable flaw on such a tall, straight figure.

After gazing at each other for several seconds, the Beta extended his hand first, a smile on his face.

“Long time no see.” Han Inspector looked directly into Lu Qingmo’s eyes and addressed her, “Miss Lu.”

After a long while, Lu Qingmo slowly extended her hand, parted her lips slightly, but couldn’t make a sound. The League’s youngest, most outstanding diplomat, poised before heads of state, foreign guests, reporters, was now at a loss for words.

Han Inspector gently took Lu Qingmo’s hand and released it quickly.

“A bit thinner than on TV.” He smiled faintly.

Lu Qingmo’s thumb picked at the strap of her bag, over and over, as she silently regulated her breathing, finally replying, “The camera widens people.”

“Mm.” Han Inspector nodded. “Heading home now?”

“Yes.”

“Then be careful on the road. The meeting isn’t over yet; I should head back.” Han Inspector gave her a nod, turned, and walked back toward the conference hall.

Lu Qingmo didn’t watch his retreating figure, just stared at the ground. A long time later, she lifted her head, expression unchanged, confirmed her direction, and walked again toward the elevator.

“Han Inspector, Han Inspector?”

“……” Han Inspector suddenly snapped back to attention, realizing the people around him were looking at him.

“It’s your turn to speak.” A colleague reminded him.

“Right.” Han Inspector set down his pen and stood up hastily.

A little after ten, Lin Yumian came out of the studio and returned to his room to wash off the smell of paint. As he left the bathroom, he heard knocking; opening the door, the housekeeper stood outside. “Mr. Lin, the Chairman is here.”

“Tell him I’m asleep.” Lin Yumian said.

But the housekeeper didn’t assent; she glanced to the side and bowed her head anxiously.

Lu Chengyu walked to the bedroom door, his gaze through his glasses falling on Lin Yumian’s face. “Asleep?”

From his tone, Lin Yumian could tell he’d been drinking. He turned silently. The bedroom was lit only by a bedside lamp; Lin Yumian sat on the edge of the bed in pale blue pajamas, as if seated inside an oil painting.

Lu Chengyu closed the door, unbuttoned his suit jacket, walked over, and sat down on the chair before the floor‑to‑ceiling window, casually pouring a glass of water. Outside was the dark Mountain View, nothing much to see. Lu Chengyu loosened his tie, took a sip of water, and said, “Heyang made me a proposal.”

He rarely spoke so evenly. Lin Yumian asked coldly, “What proposal.”

“He wants to attend the Military Academy. If the Lu Family is to establish power entirely its own within the Military Forces, there’s no surer means than him entering the military system.” Lu Chengyu said slowly. “He’s quite right. The key posts in the Military Forces have always been held by those few surnames; if there’s a major reshuffle in a few years, the vacancies would align perfectly with the current batch of students at the Preparatory Academy.”

“So since last year, the Military Academy’s enrollment quota from the Preparatory Academy has been increasing… and the expansion in Chengxi.” Lin Yumian murmured.

“My point is, Military Academy students are prohibited from entering into marriage during their studies, and barred from contact with Lianmeng Government affairs before graduation—it’s always been a hard rule.” He turned his head to look at Lin Yumian. “Such a clever, convenient method—did you teach him?”

“I’m not like you; I never interfere with his decisions.”

“I know.” Lu Chengyu said. “You’re not giving them freedom; you’re just opposing me.”

“Better than using your own children as pawns.”

“Who in this circle isn’t a pawn?” Lu Chengyu tapped the side of his glass idly with a fingertip. “You and I were too, once. Have you forgotten, Lin Yumian.”

“Don’t call me by name.” Lin Yumian frowned.

“Then what should I call you?” Lu Chengyu turned his head again; moonlight filtered through the window, illuminating the Alpha’s profile. He looked at Lin Yumian, a rare, almost‑smiling expression. “Sister‑in‑law?”

Lin Yumian jerked his head up, his face deathly pale as he stared at him.