Chapter 12 You Can Check

Deep Blue Bar is owned by the Xu family. It has two levels: the first floor is a dance floor and main hall, while the second floor has private rooms. However, behind the all-night clamor and bright lights, there is a lesser-known underground level.

Access to this level is by invitation only. Not everyone can come and go here.

Lu Xun pushed open the hidden door to Deep Blue's underground level. He had become a regular here recently, but the servers still had no idea which powerful figure he might be. He wore nothing more than an ordinary T-shirt, and although his features were strikingly handsome, they seemed out of place among the tailored suits and luxury brands typically seen here.

But Mr. Xu had specifically instructed them to treat him with care.

"Sir, would you like me to bring you a dry towel?" The server noticed that Lu Xun had been caught in the rain and was drenched.

"No need. Lead the way."

The server obediently turned around and led Lu Xun deeper into the bar. The corridor was lined with priceless paintings, the lighting was dim and indistinct, and the air was filled with a mix of alluring fragrances and lingering traces of smoke and alcohol. The hallway was so well-insulated that only the hollow sound of their footsteps echoed. Just as Lu Xun was starting to lose patience, the server stopped in front of Room B121, knocked twice, and slowly pushed the door open.

"I thought you might need more time to consider," said a man's silhouette emerging from the shadows cast by the wall behind the sofa. His legs were crossed, a smoking cigar held between his fingers, with a ruby ring on his thumb, and a black cane resting beside his leg. He squinted as he looked at Lu Xun, who had entered against the light.

"The conditions Mr. Xu offered were so generous that there was no need for further consideration," Lu Xun nodded slightly and casually sat down on the other sofa, as if he were in his own home.

Who was Xu Jianzhong? The head of domestic commercial land transportation and a major player in Jia You City's real estate industry. Just having a conversation here was a huge favor to Lu Xun. If Xu Jianzhong hadn't been crippled by an enemy a year ago, and if his business hadn't suffered, he wouldn't even be here negotiating terms with an unknown nobody like Lu Xun.

Hearing Lu Xun's affirmative response, a deeper smile appeared in Xu Jianzhong's dark gray eyes, the wrinkles under his eyes forming a pair of attractive undereye bags.

"Very good. Mr. Lu is indeed perceptive. How fortunate I am to be able to cooperate with someone like you."

"But I have one more condition," Lu Xun said.

"Oh? Do tell," Xu Jianzhong raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Before the plan begins, I need you to prepare a safe house for me."

"That's not difficult," Xu Jianzhong replied with a playful smile, taking a puff of his cigar. "But I hope, Mr. Lu, that you quickly realize who you should really care about. Don't waste your precious time on those who don't deserve it."

Lu Xun clenched his teeth, his hands clasped tightly together on his knee.

"For our impending success, for the magnificent transformation you're about to embrace," Xu Jianzhong lifted his glass toward Lu Xun, "Cheers."

Lu Xun picked up the transparent glass, watching the amber liquid swirl inside, and drained it in one go.

The liquor burned down his throat, all the way to his heart.

At dawn, the rain had stopped completely, leaving the ground half-dry. Lu Xun returned home, his body still carrying the heat of summer. When he tried to open the door, he found it unlocked; Lu Heyang had left it open for him.

The TV was still on, casting shifting shadows on the living room wall. In the dim light of the floor lamp, Lu Heyang had curled up on the sofa, asleep with his knees tucked up. The hem of his pajamas had ridden up under the arm resting on his forehead, unintentionally exposing the sinewy lines of his waist and the faint outline of his ribs.

He had been waiting for him.

The thought softened Lu Xun's gaze for a moment. He crouched down, supporting Lu Heyang's back with one hand, and slid his other hand under his legs, intending to lift him up. But Lu Heyang woke up, startled.

His dark eyes slowly opened, first dazed, then gradually focusing on Lu Xun, looking at him as if he were a stranger, coldly.

Lu Xun felt as if that gaze had stabbed him, and he instinctively let go and took a step back.

"You went to a nightclub?" Lu Heyang sat up, wrinkling his nose. Lu Xun suddenly remembered that he was probably reeking of perfume, smoke, and alcohol from Deep Blue, all mingling with the smell of sweat in the summer heat. It must have been a terrible combination.

"No," Lu Xun said. He hadn't, and he didn't want to explain any further.

Lu Heyang let out a cold laugh, slipping on his slippers and heading towards the bedroom. "Go wash off that perfume before trying to lie to me."

This person always knew how to push his buttons. Lu Xun stood there for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice to Lu Heyang's retreating figure, "Have you ever trusted me?"

Lu Heyang froze in place.

Trust him? Trust that he hadn't been to a nightclub, or trust that there was real sincerity mixed in with his hatred?

He let out a soft laugh, "Whether I trust you or not, it doesn't matter."

Lu Xun frowned. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed Lu Heyang's wrist, and pushed him against the wall, creating a narrow, inescapable space.

"I didn't go to a nightclub. I'm clean."

Lu Heyang glanced at him sideways, feeling an urge to laugh. What was this, some kind of 'pure heart in a jade jar' act?

"You can check."

Lu Xun's expression was serious. His usually playful eyes were now focused and deep, like a dark vortex pulling someone in. Lu Heyang's smile vanished, and a sense of impending danger made the hairs on his skin stand on end. "Check what…"

Before he could finish his sentence, a kiss landed heavily on his lips. His teeth were forced open clumsily, and in his panic, he bit down hard on Lu Xun's lip, the taste of blood spreading through both of their mouths.

"Mmm…"

Lu Xun's tongue invaded, aggressive yet passionate.

Lu Heyang pushed against him, resisting stubbornly, but Lu Xun caught his wrists and guided his hands under his hot shirt.

From the firm waist, his hands roamed over to the solid abs.

Lu Heyang's eyes widened in fear as Lu Xun yanked off his shirt and forced him to look at him.

"Do you see? These scratch marks, and here… You left these on me. The only marks on my body are the ones you gave me."

Lu Heyang was speechless, suddenly feeling a chill between his legs as his sleep pants were pulled down. His punches, thrown in shame and desperation, were weak and easily caught by Lu Xun, who slowly moved his hand downwards.

"Lu Xun, you…!" Tears welled up in the corners of Lu Heyang's eyes as he struggled, his cheeks flushing with humiliation, but he couldn't escape the overwhelming sensation. His lips were sealed again, and all he could manage were the whimpers and moans of a trapped animal.

In the next moment, one of his legs was hoisted up from behind his knee, and he could hear Lu Xun's heavy breathing right in his ear.