I lowered my eyelids, playing hard to get, avoiding Bo Longchang's gaze, my hands twisting together, showing a nervous demeanor.

"I think before the military investigation team finds the culprit, we brothers shouldn't take any leave. Let's stick with Brother Chuan, protect him, and take turns on duty," someone suggested.

"That's a good idea, I agree!" "No problem!" Several soldiers echoed in agreement.

"If you do that, you won't be able to lure the snake out of its hole," Bo Yichuan said in a deep voice, "Everyone, go back."

"Then we hide and observe secretly, or," someone turned to look at me, eyes bright, "disguise as servants or bodyguards, stay by Brother Chuan's side."

“What’s the difference? You guys are so tall and strong, anyone can tell you’re not ordinary servants. Only I can pull it off,” Qiao Mu chuckled, and a few people nodded, discussing, “Brother Mu really can.”

“Can Brother Mu, a military doctor, protect Brother Chuan?”

“Why not? He joined us on several missions, and he was the one who saved Brother Chuan from the drug dealers!”

Nonsense, he’s useless in combat, can’t shoot straight, only good at playing dirty tricks? Ten of him can’t match one of me.

I felt like rolling my eyes when I saw Bo Yichuan shake his head, “No, if someone is targeting me as soon as I return, they must know Qiao Mu.”

“Our Bo family doesn’t lack well-trained bodyguards. Don’t worry, Yichuan, tomorrow, Dad will have the security department select a few retired ones to send to the East Courtyard.”

Bo Longchang squeezed his shoulder, “There have been disasters recently, probably because you lost your amulet. Dad will go to Bliss Temple in the next few days to ask Master Longpo Pei for another one for you.”

I couldn’t help but pick at my nails.

Actually, Bo Yichuan’s amulet wasn’t lost; I stole it, and it’s now pawned with my godfather.

When I left Borosia, that amulet was my only possession besides a bit of pocket money.

I’ve asked my godfather for it several times, but he knows it’s important to me, so he won’t give it back. Who knows if he’ll be kind enough to return it as a burial item when I die.

“Thank you, Dad.” Bo Yichuan raised his head and thanked Bo Longchang.

To an outsider, they might seem like a loving father and son.

“Rest well in the hospital, with little Joe taking care of you, Dad can rest assured.”

Bo Longchang glanced at Qiao Mu, took his hand, and placed it on Bo Yichuan’s, “I heard Joe saved your life several times in the military. I must visit the Qiao family to thank Old Master Qiao properly. Little Joe, having you as a childhood friend is truly Yichuan’s blessing.”

“Uncle Bo, you’re too kind. I’ve always considered Brother Chuan as family.” Qiao Mu blushed, smiled, and his eyes sparkled.

Bo Yichuan lowered his eyelashes, lost in thought.

Bo Longchang nodded, giving them an ambiguous look, and laughed, “Good, good, little Joe, I remember your birthday is coming up, right? I’ll personally prepare a generous gift for you then.”

“Thank you, Uncle Bo.”

“Dad, there’s no need for that. Let me handle it myself.”

Bo Yichuan smiled slightly, “Once I’m better, I’ll personally visit the Qiao family to express my gratitude.”

What does that mean?

My heart skipped a beat as I looked at Qiao Mu, whose expression was bright as if Bo Yichuan had just proposed instead of merely expressing gratitude.

But perhaps to the Qiao family, as long as Bo Longchang or Bo Yichuan visited, it would lead to the outcome they desired.

The Qiao family is one of the five major Chinese expatriate families in Borosia. If they become in-laws with the Bo family, it means becoming a reliable ally, a support and reliance for Bo Yichuan, with countless benefits and no harm.

Would Bo Yichuan choose Qiao Mu for this reason?

If he chose Qiao Mu, even if he didn’t like men, would he fulfill his duties and responsibilities as a partner, trying to like him, protect him, and be loyal to him?

My ears buzzed, as if I were back at the Batu Pahat Butterfly Garden at thirteen, hearing words that nearly shattered my heart amidst the fluttering of a thousand butterflies.

"Ah Shi." Bo Longchang's voice suddenly pulled me back to reality.

"Ah, Master?" Seeing him wave me over, I obediently moved to his side.

"Did you finish what Yichuan asked you to do last night?"

"Finished."

"No."

Hearing Bo Yichuan and I answer simultaneously, I glanced at him, seeing his face darkened as he glared at me, obviously annoyed that I had agreed to his request during dinner but denied it today.

I curled my lips at him, face can be disregarded, but grudges must be avenged. He doesn’t understand the current me—same on and off the bed, promises and oaths are all nonsense, not a word to be believed unless signed in black and white.

Bo Longchang acted as if he hadn’t heard his own son, holding my hand, “Alright, if it’s done, come back with me. Ullambana Festival is coming up, the royal parade will pass through Feilan, and you need to learn the spirit medium dance quickly. Tia has already taken leave to teach you. Yichuan, I’ll take this person with me first.”

With that, Bo Longchang turned to leave, and I followed him, not waiting for Bo Yichuan to react, immediately closing the door behind me, determined not to look back through the glass, and turned away.

After getting out of the car, I followed Bo Longchang into his Bentley.

Besides the driver and us, there were two bodyguards, one in front and one behind—Bo Longchang is a cautious man, always accompanied by personal bodyguards when outside the Blue Garden, unless a sniper like Lizard is willing to help, there’s no chance of making a move in the car.

Seeing a tea set on the table with a magnetic stove keeping it warm, I made him a cup, “Master, please have some tea.”

“Tell me, what happened last night?” Bo Longchang didn’t touch the tea, just looked at me.

I explained, omitting the part where Bo Yichuan warned me not to climb higher branches, pretending to be still frightened, patting my chest, “I was almost scared to death, luckily the young master was unharmed.”

“I think it’s thanks to having you, the lucky star, by his side that he avoided disaster. Sometimes, you just have to believe in fate.” Bo Longchang fiddled with the agarwood prayer beads in his hand, his sharp eagle eyes behind glasses scrutinizing me—

honestly, as a father, his genes are quite good, with flawless features, no wonder Bo Yichuan is so handsome.

Just by appearance, you can’t tell he’s a beast in human clothing. I guess he used this face to deceive Bo Yichuan’s mother, ultimately creating two tragedies and causing three deaths.

After studying me for a while, Bo Longchang spoke again, "Over ten years ago, our Bo family had a lucky star, but unfortunately, they disappeared. Since then, our family's luck has been affected. Now with you, it's truly a blessing from heaven."

Blessing my foot, I've always been the lucky star, here to take your life.

"Master, I can't bear such praise." I lowered my head, seeing him take something from under the table and place it on top—a small velvet box, "Master, what's this?"

"Open it and see." He nodded.

I did as told, opening it to find a blood jade mutton-fat bracelet of excellent quality.

I widened my eyes, feigning surprise, and Bo Longchang picked up the bracelet, holding my wrist to put it on, not letting go afterward, instead rubbing it in his palm.

Feeling a long callus on the inside of his index finger, besides feeling disgusted, I also felt a bit strange.

It’s not the kind of gun callus I have or Bo Yichuan has, but I couldn’t figure out what caused it. I remember Bo Longchang’s hands used to be smooth, without any calluses—he touched my face when I was a child, and that sensation is unforgettable, smooth and delicate, the hands of a well-maintained rich man who never did rough work.

“Master… this is too precious.” I lowered my head, curling my fingers.

“Your skin is fair, and the blood jade suits you. From the first time I saw you, I wanted to give you this.”

He patted my hand, “As long as you stay obediently in the Bo family, serving me, there will be plenty of good things more valuable than this. Your siblings won’t have to worry about schooling. If you want, you can bring them to live in Feilan. I can handle all the paperwork.”

“Really?” I looked up, pretending to be surprised and delighted, “How did I get so lucky… I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”

“Silly boy.” He was amused, his hand falling to my lower back, giving a light pat, seemingly hinting for me to sit on his lap.

How could I let him take advantage so easily?

Playing dumb, I lowered my head, fiddling with the bracelet. Suddenly, I felt the watch on my other wrist vibrating, buzzing persistently, probably my employer noticing something unusual and trying to contact me.

But how could I deal with that now?

“Such a little fool. Ah Shi, you haven’t entertained guests at the nightclub before, have you?”

Seeing me unmoving, Bo Longchang chuckled, his hand sliding up my back, pinching my earlobe.

I was startled, pulling away from his hand.

Bo Longchang had praised my earlobes before, saying they were as round and smooth as my dad's, and if he discovered the peculiarity of my right earring, it wouldn't be a joke. I nodded, "I didn't have the chance before being brought back by the third young master."

"Good, a virgin is best." This answer pleased him, and he fiddled with my earlobe again, "Since you have pierced ears, I'll get you a pair of earrings."

My heart sank. If I remove this earring, I won't be able to maintain contact with Ding Cheng. But outwardly, I had to act flattered, "Thank you, Master."

"How do you plan to thank me? Tonight, perhaps?"

Bo Longchang looked at me, his eagle eyes darkening, clearly aroused by my innocent demeanor. I timidly moved aside, knowing he wouldn’t pounce on me in the car with the driver and bodyguards present.

I took the chance to pour him another cup of tea, pretending to slip, spilling the hot tea on his hand.

Bo Longchang hissed in pain, raising his hand to slap me, but I quickly grabbed his hand, blowing on it while apologizing, “Master, I’m sorry, it’s my clumsiness that burned you.”

His anger subsided, unable to lash out, and the bodyguard handed over an ice pack. I applied it to his hand, squeezing out a couple of tears—over ten years as a mercenary, I’ve done my share of deceitful acts, and my acting skills are top-notch, good enough to win a newcomer award if I acted in films.

“Alright, alright, you’re the one who looks wronged now.” Bo Longchang clearly bought my act, wiping my tears, even brushing my eyelashes.

With tears in my eyes, I looked at him, and Bo Longchang seemed momentarily lost, murmuring, “Not just your figure, but your eyes too, look just like an old acquaintance of mine.”

“What old acquaintance?” I sneered inwardly.

If it was such deep love, why did my dad hang himself after five years in the Bo family, without even explaining his reason for dying?

Bo Longchang, he had forced himself to accept you, but what did you do to him that made him unable to bear it, unable to use me as a reason to live?

And why did you hide the true cause of my dad’s death from everyone in the Bo family, claiming he died of illness?

Are you covering up some unspeakable secret?

Before you go to hell, you better tell me.

Bo Longchang didn’t answer, lowering his head as if to kiss my eyes when suddenly, “bang,” the entire car jolted, tea set flying everywhere, and I was thrown onto Bo Longchang.

Looking back, I widened my eyes. Bo Longchang’s car had been rear-ended, and the one who did it was none other than Bo Yichuan’s tank-like Louis XV SUV.

“Hey, Old Master Bo!” Laksa immediately jumped out, coming to the window, “Are you hurt? A motorcycle just passed by, and I accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake!”

I glanced sideways, indeed the street was filled with motorcycles rushing about, a characteristic of Feilan, and with a son rear-ending his father’s car, Bo Longchang couldn’t really say anything.

Bo Longchang lowered the window, “I’m fine, is Yichuan okay?”

“He’s asleep in the car. Today, the school officer from Duke Phachara’s place is visiting, and they called saying they’re on their way, so we rushed back.” Laksa said.

I couldn’t help but look back at the car, where Bo Yichuan lay in the passenger seat, wearing an eye mask, sleeping soundly, seemingly unaware of rear-ending his father’s car.