Ch38

The Crime Lord's Undercover Boyfriend (Arc 3-4)

Su Yang solemnly pinched his own rosy cheeks, pouted his pink lips, then slowly curled the corners of his mouth to reveal a sweet, guileless smile.

The little compact mirror faithfully reflected his every move. The youth on the glass pulled strange faces, from bizarre to charming naivety, morphing to snarls... it eventually settled on a pure and childish grin which radiated innocence, drawing more than a few glances from the waitstaff around them.

Seated across the table in front of him, Gao Min wore a stiff expression as she watched him. She inwardly wondered if this lad was sick, what was he doing making cutesy faces in a restaurant!

Su Yang continued staring at the mirror for a while longer, then the smile on his face faded completely, leaving behind an inscrutable look.

It wasn't his imagination. They really do look alike.

Tao Ziyu and Xu Yanqing share an uncanny resemblance. Tao Ziyu looks like the white moonlight in Zhao Feng's heart, and Xu Yanqing is the white moonlight's substitute. In the end, was it really just a coincidence, or was there something linking the two that he was not aware of.

{T/N: An unattainable crush}

According to reason, these should be two entirely separate mission worlds. There should be no relation between the two whatsoever. But he could not help the strange feeling he was getting... mixed with a trace of fear.

But based on the current completion bar, the mission was progressing smoothly. There's no need to start scaring himself. After all, where there's a will, there's a way.

Su Yang returned the mirror to Gao Min. "Thank you, I've finished eating."

Gao Min called the waiter over to settle the bill.

The restaurant they dined at was the Imperial Court's most exclusive, private restaurant. Only those with VIP privileges were allowed to enter. Most of the businessmen from the upper echelons recognized Gao Min, and they were all equally flabbergasted to see her dining with a young man.

After the two left, the mood was bleak in a corner of the restaurant. A man seated at the middle of a table roughly sloshed some wine into a glass with a sullen face.

He bit out angrily, "After refusing me only two days ago, I turn around to see her cozying with a boytoy. Gao Min is really looking down her nose at me!"

The people next to him warned him apprehensively, "Li zǒng, Manager Gao belongs to the Imperial Court, and the Imperial Court is one of the Zhao family's industries. I-it's not worth offending Zhao yé over a woman."

Li Menghui scoffed coldly. "What is that Gao Min worth! In Zhao yé's eyes, she is at best, a pet dog. I will definitely settle scores with her today!"

His lids drooped for a moment in thought, then he gave a grim laugh. "Go and invite her little boyfriend over. We can have some fun with him."

=========

"Yes, he's had his meal. He is about to return to his room now," Gao Min reported with professional detachment.

The man nodded, then said, "Pass the phone to him."

Recognizing Zhao Feng's deep voice from the phone, Su Yang immediately flapped his arms and mouthed: "Tell-him-I'm-busy!"

Gao Min crinkled her brows, then stiffly relayed, "Zhao yé, Mr Xu says he's too busy to talk."

Su Yang: "...Hey hey!!"

Zhao Feng said nothing, his lips curved in a cold smile.

Even from a distance, Su Yang could feel the chilly waves of displeasure emanating from the phone. He immediately dove for the phone and said in a wheedling tone, "Feng gē, it's me."

Zhao Feng sneered, "Oh, is Mr Xu free to talk now?"

Su Yang's face was a picture of chagrin. "I was just joking, Ms Gao is too serious, haha. Feng gē, you won't take it seriously, right?"

Zhao Feng closed his eyes as he listened to the sound of Su Yang's silly laugh over the phone. Unknowingly, his lips have curved into an indulgent smile as he pictured the expression the little guy must be wearing right now; the mixture of embarrassment and impishness, with the round eyes curved into narrow, twinkling crescents.

He chuckled, tapping his fingers lightly on the tabletop. "What did you eat for lunch."

Su Yang thought for a moment, then dutifully said, "I had a bowl of tomato and egg noodles."

Zhao Feng frowned. "Be honest."

Su Yang answered truthfully, "I had braised chicken feet, cola chicken wings, red braised pork belly, and also pineapple ribs..." There was absolutely no sense of moderation a sick person should have.

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a furious roar from the phone. "You damn brat, your courage must be really swollen right now from eating all those fatty foods huh! Everything that I've told you has just flown clean out through the other ear right!!"

Startled, Su Yang trembled and nearly flung the cellphone away. He lowered his eyelids, head drooping, not daring to utter a sound.

Zhao Feng took a deep breath, forcefully calming himself. "Do I have to be there to watch over you before you learn to behave."

Su Yang shook his head frantically, then recalled that Zhao Feng could not see him. He said, "No no, you're busy with your work, don't worry about me, I'll be good, I promise."

The system: "Have you, by any chance, forgotten that Zhao Feng is your mission target? You're supposed to get close to him, not drive him away."

Su Yang: "I know I know, the words just slipped out alright." When facing a tyrant, his survival instincts just kicked right in, urging him to flee far and fast!

The system: "..."

On the other side of the line, Zhao Feng was feeling rather downcast as well. Wasn't this little guy rolling around while squealing about how much he loved Zhao Feng just this afternoon? How did they end up falling out in such a short period of time?

Oh... he's playing hard to get!

Zhao Feng gave a sinister chuckle. "I understand. Wait for me in the room tonight."

Then he ended the call.

The sound of the busy signal indicated that the other party has hung up. Su Yang wore a dumbfounded expression. "Miē miē miē???"

You understand? What do you understand?

Su Yang was overflowing with grief. How could you possibly understand me. Do you know how much I fear you, I'm scared that you will start taking off your belt in front of me again, I'm frightened at the thought of you asking me to 'feel' your love for me again, and I'm terrified that you will one day decide to settle old scores with me, and secretly sink me into the river!

Su Yang had previously lived in a relatively comfortable and peaceful environment, at the very least, he had never had to face any life-threatening situations. But ever since in the world before the last where he had been raped by Fu Zhou, and in the previous world where he was imprisoned by Jing Cheng and properly traumatized, he has grown to fear and dread what the future would have in store for him.

Compared with the previous two targets, Zhao Feng is the type who thinks of himself as the top dog who reigns supreme, my word is law to hell with everything else. This type of person was the worst, because he will not answer to reason, he is reason!

This world can truly make one despair!!

Su Yang stuffed the phone back into Gao Min's hand and slowly dragged himself to the elevator with a tragic look on his face. "Miss Gao, thank you for the lunch."

As for myself, I will soon become someone's dinner!

He carried such a martyred air that Gao Min felt a touch of concern. She couldn't help asking, "Are you really alright?"

Su Yang said, "I'm fine now, but come nightfall, who knows? Please go ahead and return to your duties, I will go back and prepare myself…."

Gao Min looked puzzled. "Prepare?"

Su Yang smiled sadly. Prepare to clean himself thoroughly before delivering himself to the dinner table!

The doors of the elevator slowly slid shut. This passageway was solely reserved for platinum level guests, and is usually rarely used. Su Yang leaned against the wall of the elevator, lost in thought. Halfway up, the lift suddenly came to a stop. Assuming the passenger to be the staff servicing the guest rooms, he did not lift his gaze.

As a result, his wrist was suddenly seized by a large, sturdy hand, and he was dragged out.

Su Yang demanded, "Hey buddy, what do you think you're doing? Do I know you?"

The man did not reply, and continued to haul Su Yang towards the fire exit stairway. That place was a surveillance blind spot. Su Yang's brows drew together. This is clearly a kidnapping attempt.

He struggled and began yowling, "Hey hey, my hand really hurts! Can you switch hands?"

His voice echoed resoundingly. The man spun around and moved to cover his mouth, hissing menacingly, "You shut the fuck up—–"

During the split second when the man turned, Su Yang drove his foot hard into his family jewels. The man immediately crumpled to the ground with a shriek and cupped his hands around crotch, howling in agony. Without giving him any respite, Su Yang stomped hard on his stomach. The man sucked in a sharp breath, and couldn't even utter a whimper.

Xu Yanqing was pretty, but he was also a police officer. To be able to smoothly graduate from the police academy, he was definitely not lacking in skill. He may not be a match for that rogue Zhao Feng, but beating up a petty criminal was no problem.

After making sure that the man on the ground was powerless to fight back, Su Yang squatted down and said, "Who sent you."

The man's face was bloodless. He had clearly not expected this harmless looking youth to be able to deal such a terrible blow.

Seeing the man stay silent, Su Yang stood up and lifted his foot again. The man intermediately began begging for mercy. "Don't don't! I'll talk... it was Li Menghui, Li zǒng sent me..."

"Li Menghui." Su Yang rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. "Who's that, I don't know him either."

The man said, "He is Manager Gao's suitor, but two days ago he was rejected by her. He saw the both of you together today... and, and wanted to invite you over for tea and a chat..."

"Tea? I love tea the most,"Su Yang said with a smile. "That's fine, please lead the way then."

He had just been fretting over how to avoid having to 'serve the Emperor' tonight, and behold, someone has delivered himself up to be his scapegoat. Even the Heavens are helping him ah!

The man on the ground gaped at him. Su Yang gave him a poke, eliciting a grunt, and he weakly clambered back to his feet. As if in a dream, he began leading the way, all the while wondering if he had merely imagined everything that had just happened!!

Li Menghiu had his own private room in the Imperial Palace, which was coincidentally located two floors below Su Yang's room.

When Su Yang saw the room number, he truly felt that this was all the arrangement of heaven—- they were brought together by fate!!

Li Menghui was sweating nervously, feeling somewhat jittery. Then, the door to his private room opened in front of his eyes.

The youth they saw at the restaurant this afternoon was standing at the door, looking around the room calmly and curiously. Finally, his gaze landed on him.

"You are Li Menghui?" Su Yang asked.

Li Menghui nodded reflexively, then wondered distractedly if their roles as host and guest seem to have been reversed?

Su Yang obviously paid no mind to the niceties of being a guest, and immediately walked to stand infront of him, grasped Li Menghui's hand, and beamed. "Li zǒng, how do you do? I'm Xu Yanqing, it's a pleasure to finally meet you!"

Li Menghui waved away the bodyguards who had moved to intercept the youth. Faced with such a slender looking young man, he relaxed his guard a little.

"You know me?" he asked.

Su Yang nodded, seating himself by Li Menghui's side. "Of course I do, you're courting my sister!"

"Your sister? You mean Gao Min?" Li Menghui was easily deceived by his cheerful, innocent demeanor.

Su Yang said, "Yup, Gao Min is a distant cousin of mine, she usually takes really good care of me. She invited me over for a meal today at noon. She mentioned that there was a Li zǒng who was wooing her, but she's currently not looking to be involved in a relationship, and so rejected him."

When Li Menghui heard the reason for this, his mood immediately improved.

Su Yang darted a look at the titillating beauty who was standing nearby, and added smilingly, "My sis also said, Li zǒng is too much of a ladies' man, and does not suit her tastes."

This does indeed sound like something Gao Min would say. Li Menghui's trust in him increased.

He began defending himself, "Hahaha, your sister misunderstood me, I didn't call these girls over, it was all because of, of..." He pointed at the assistant standing by his side. "It was him. He persuaded me by saying that the best cure for heartbreak was to find new love. It sounded reasonable to me, so I thought to give it a try. But it was useless, I still cannot get over your sister."

Su Yang looked touched, and said, "My sis's personality is too frigid, courting her must have been very tiring."

Li Menghui slapped a palm on the tabletop. "Exactly! I am Li Menghui, few in S city can boast to be wealthier than I! This is really the first time I have come across such a headstrong person, neither coaxing nor coercion works with her. You tell me, just what do I have to do?"

Su Yang smiled and said, "Am I not in your hands right now? Try threatening her a bit, she's very fond of me, maybe she'll agree to go out with you."

Li Menghui's eyes darted shiftily, then he burst into hearty laughter. "Little brother Xu, you're pretty blunt."

Su Yang added, "I think it would be best if you hold back on telling her first, let her get a bit anxious. Then when she's at her most helpless, give her a call to threaten her. That ought to work best."

Li Menghui squinted suspiciously at him. "Did you and your sis... have a falling out?"

Su Yang gave an innocent little laugh. "Of course not. The main point is, Li zǒng is very rich and powerful, what would one gain from opposing you? Also, after the deed is done, Li zǒng would look upon me favorably, right?"

"Of course, of course, hahaha, I admire young chaps like you the most."

Su Yang privately thought, And I despise brutes like you the most, my conscience doesn't even twitch when duping you.

=========

In the wee hours of the morning.

Zhao Feng stood quietly by the French windows, overlooking the city ablaze with lights. Something terrible roiled violently within his dark eyes.

"Have you found him! No? Then continue searching, you must find him even if you have to tear the Imperial Palace apart!" Gao Min was full of anxiety, sweat beading her brow. She had watched the youth enter the elevator with her own eyes, how could he have just disappeared like that?

The Imperial Court runs the largest secrecy organisation, the higher the floors the greater the privilege, and the degree of monitoring would conversely decrease. But as the place was the Zhao clan's territory, few would dare to cause trouble here. It has been operated this way for many years, but now they were faced with a setback.

She threw a furtive glance at Zhao Feng's back. If anything happens to that brat, who knows if there will still be an Imperial Court standing after this.

At this moment, her phone rang.

She hurriedly answered it. "Have you found him yet?"

There was a brief silence, then an ear-piercing chortle could be heard from the phone. "My dear Manager Gao, it's me, lǎo Li. How about it, are you interesting in having a cup of tea with me?"

"My apologies Li zǒng, I'm terribly busy right now..."

Li Menghui cut her off, "I know you're busy looking for someone. Little brother Xu is here with me. If you want him back, come to my private room to have tea with me. How about it?"

After not receiving a response for a long time, he asked again, "Hello? How about it, are you coming or not?"

On the other end, a deep, husky male voice suddenly answered him.

"Very well, I'll come have tea with you myself."

Li Menghui's hands shook, the cellphone fell to the floor with a clatter.

"Zh-Zhao yé!!"

Su Yang rubbed sleepily at his eyes. After having ducked out of sight for so long, I should have dodged the bullet, right?