Upon hearing Xiao Qiwu’s name, Chen Zemian’s heart suddenly halted for half a second.
The plot of the original story is closely tied to the rise and fall of the “Eight Great Families in Beijing.” From the moment he began to trace the origins of the “Xiaojin Pill,” Chen Zemian suspected that this matter was probably linked to those families.
He always hoped it wouldn’t involve the four prominent families—Lu, Xiao, Ye, and Xue.
But the probability—fifty percent—was actually quite high.
Unfortunately, his hope was dashed. After investigation, it turned out to be the Xiao family.
Huanyu Company had been established for a long time, and the Yaotai Langyuan case had taken place twenty years ago. Back then, Xiao Qiwu was not even ten years old. From an age perspective, if the person who escaped the Yaotai Langyuan incident was connected to the Xiao family, then the most likely suspects, apart from Mr. Xiao himself, would be Xiao Qiwu’s eldest brother.
So far, the two most probable suspects were Xiao Kesong’s grandfather and father.
Both were close relatives of Xiao Kesong.
If it truly involved the Xiao family, it was only a matter of time before the police uncovered solid evidence by following these leads.
Once that happened, chaos within the Xiao family was inevitable.
Faced with such circumstances at home, Xiao Kesong was already overwhelmed. If he knew that the evidence implicating the Xiao family came from his best friend…
No wonder Lu Zhuonian advised him against attending the cruise dinner.
At present, they lacked concrete evidence against the Xiao family. If the investigation stopped here, whatever the police might find later would have little relevance to them.
Chen Zemian was at a loss, biting his lips unconsciously. “Let me think… let me think.”
In fact, providing the time and place of the cruise dinner was enough for the police to gather evidence.
As a non-staff member, Chen Zemian had done his best to trace the case thus far. Whether he went or not would have little impact on the investigation.
Of course, it was safer not to go, but not going would also be a betrayal of friends.
It was truly a dilemma.
Chen Zemian’s voice was tinged with helplessness. “I don’t know what to do, Lu Zhuonian.”
Lu Zhuonian sighed softly. “Take your time. There’s still plenty of time.”
Chen Zemian’s mind was a mess, as if weighed down by a great burden, yet most of the time he was simply in a daze.
As the investigation deepened, it seemed they had touched some clues, but also fallen into a deeper mystery.
Huanyu Media was experienced in crisis public relations. They used large sums of money—compensation paid in cash—as hush money, enough to silence most victims. The matter was handled cleanly, leaving no traces.
If they had already paid compensation, why did Xiao Qiwu transfer money to the victims?
People tend to be biased, especially Chen Zemian, who was extremely protective of his shortcomings.
Xiao Kesong was also his best friend.
From a personal perspective, Chen Zemian hoped Xiao Qiwu’s transfer of money was merely a personal act, unrelated to the Xiao family.
People are always good at convincing themselves.
He began to find doubts in the logical chain: “Even if—if Xiao Qiwu transferred the money, that doesn’t directly prove Huanyu Media’s involvement with the Xiao family.”
Lu Zhuonian’s voice was low. “Let’s not discuss whether the Xiao family is connected to Huanyu Media. Their relationship with banned drugs is inseparable.”
Chen Zemian suddenly caught onto a clue. “By the way—when you mentioned that, I suddenly remembered Fu Tingchao’s good friend is Xiao Qiwu.”
Lu Zhuonian was surprised. “Is it him?!”
Chen Zemian slowly sat upright, sensing that their analysis might completely overturn their previous understanding.
After Fu Tingchao gave his lover to Xiao Qiwu, Xiao Qiwu could tell at a glance that the man had taken banned drugs.
This showed he was very familiar with the characteristics of that type of drug, its effects, and even with its performance after use—an extremely keen sensitivity.
What was the reason behind his enduring such an unusual sensitivity to drugs that had vanished from the market nearly ten years ago?
Chen Zemian and Lu Zhuonian almost spoke at the same time—
“It’s his boyfriend.”
Tracing back to the source, peeling away layers of deception, with key information emerging one after another, the clues gradually became clear.
Lu Zhuonian’s usually steady speech quickened. “When his boyfriend got into trouble, it was during the height of the vitality drink craze.”
In this way, the so-called “sex addiction party” in those days might have been a cruise feast at another time.
A sinful carnival—full of money, violence, promiscuity, and coercion.
He was deceived by the Xiao family into attending that party. The one who manipulated him was powerful, able to control the direction of events on the scene.
Many attended that party, yet only Xiao Qiwu’s boyfriend was implicated—enough to show this was targeted persecution and strangulation.
Since then, Xiao Qiwu had severed ties with his family, set fire to the ancestral hall, and left his hometown. Every time he returned, he caused trouble for the Xiao family.
On the surface, he appeared romantic and unrestrained, his circle of acquaintances changing constantly. But he could instantly recognize the symptoms of drug use after many years.
“He has never forgotten it.”
Chen Zemian was lost in thought, slowly leaning back in his chair. “He was about twenty then—about your age now. If it were me…”
Lu Zhuonian’s voice suddenly grew sharp. “Chen Zemian! Don’t spout nonsense.”
Chen Zemian scratched his nose and coughed lightly. “I just mean—if it were me, I wouldn’t forget either.”
Lu Zhuonian: “…”
He was worried Chen Zemian might make assumptions about himself, but he ended up putting himself in Xiao Qiwu’s shoes.
That’s a loyal, good boyfriend.
Lu Zhuonian frowned. “If our hypothesis is true, then Xiao Qiwu’s transfer of funds is both a comfort to the victim and a deliberate ‘tail’ left for the police.”
No matter how chaotic the Xiao family was internally, they appeared united to outsiders. Xiao Qiwu’s actions—drawing police attention to himself—were essentially redirecting scrutiny onto the entire family.
Based on Chen Zemian’s clues, the police had prepared carefully. On the night of the banquet, they launched a surprise raid—an airborne assault before the cruise ship even reached the high seas.
Dozens of helicopters hovered over the area. Multiple departments—public security, special police, sea patrol, drug control—jointly carried out a large-scale crackdown.
The charming lights were drowned out by sirens.
Security personnel systematically searched every part of the cruise ship, uncovering a large quantity of finished small gold pills. They quickly detained the main person responsible for the dinner. The sea patrol deployed strict defenses around the vessel to prevent escape or illegal drug transfers.
In an instant, the luxurious banquet was shattered. The well-dressed guests became trapped beasts, caught in a major cleanup operation.
As the dust settled, only silence remained on the bustling cruise ship.
The massive vessel cut through the waves, slowly heading toward the harbor.
The sun rose in the east, clouds billowing.
Dawn’s light pierced the sky, spilling like molten gold among the waves, creating shimmering layers of floating light.
Fu Guanlan stood on the deck, capturing the sunrise with his camera and posting it on Moments.
When Chen Zemian saw this beautiful seascape, he knew Fu Guanlan and his team had succeeded. Before he could like the post, it was deleted.
Because of posting randomly to Moments while on a mission, Fu Guanlan received a 3,000-word self-criticism.
This crackdown was just the beginning.
A storm was brewing, and the entire Beijing city was simmering beneath the surface.
Chen Zemian reencountered Xiao Qiwu half a month later, at Fu Tingchao’s horse farm.
Fu Tingchao was riding a horse, vividly recalling how Chen Zemian had pulled him off.
Xiao Qiwu was mounted on a race-level Camarillo white horse. His profile, with lowered eyes and a gentle smile, was elegant and extraordinary—completely different from the romantic, casual appearance Chen Zemian remembered.
Perhaps it was because the Xiao family had been on the verge of collapse recently, or perhaps Xiao Qiwu was in a good mood. His aura was relaxed, and he looked much more pleasing to the eye; or maybe, after learning about those past events, Chen Zemian’s sympathy and regret had spontaneously cast a softer filter over him.
Fu Tingchao, holding the horse whip in one hand, leaned forward slightly, making a gesture of hooking his chin up. “I just raised his chin like this, and he immediately put his hand on my arm. I thought he was quite clever, and I took off in the next second.”
Xiao Qiwu glanced back at Chen Zemian. “Then, when I invited him to drink, he didn’t throw me out—that was respectful.”
Chen Zemian, riding behind, played with a carrot on a stick while watching.
Seeing that Chen Zemian paid them no mind, Fu Tingchao tapped his palm with the whip and protested, “Xiao Mian, this isn’t fair.”
Chen Zemian lazily reclined on the horse’s back. “He’s an elder—don’t you understand respect for the old and love for the young?”
Fu Tingchao immediately retorted, “Then I am also an elder.”
Chen Zemian shook the training stick. “It’s winter now. The grass isn’t as soft, Fu Er Shao.”
Fu Tingchao: “…”
Xiao Qiwu chuckled silently, pulled the reins, lightly pressed his horse’s belly, and galloped away.
Fu Tingchao watched his back, unable to hide his relief, and sighed. “After so many years, he finally got what he wanted.”
More than half a month had passed since the cruise ship raid, and the case was still under investigation. Chen Zemian didn’t know the latest progress, nor what Xiao Qiwu was requesting.
Fu Tingchao said, “Back then, his father would rather kill a life than see Xiao Qiwu’s sexuality exposed for the Xiao family’s reputation. Xiao Qiwu has been planning for years to destroy that reputation and send his father to jail.”
Chen Zemian frowned unconsciously. “Not to mention that sexual orientation is innate. Even if they wanted to change their son’s nature, they shouldn’t have used such vicious methods. Besides, Xiao Qiwu was only twenty at the time. Some of the young masters of the Xiao family are even more outrageous, but they never do anything like this.”
Fu Tingchao rode his horse forward slowly, only four words escaping his lips: “Deep love doesn’t last.”
Chen Zemian suddenly turned his head.
Fu Tingchao avoided eye contact. “You may not believe it, but when Xiao Qiwu was twenty, he was even more reckless than Lu Zhuonian. The youngest of the Xiao family, he had everything he wanted since childhood—strong, overbearing, unwilling to let others touch his things. Even if he threw or smashed them, he wouldn’t give them away… What Grandpa Xiao cut off wasn’t his relationships with any man, but his thoughts.”
Chen Zemian felt a chill run down his spine. “Disgusting.”
“This is not even the most disgusting part,” Fu Tingchao said with a sarcastic smile. “Do you know why the police are cracking down on banned drugs like this?”
Chen Zemian hesitated. “Because of their aphrodisiac effects?”
Fu Tingchao nodded. “Yes. At those banquets and parties, these drugs are given to prey. After ingestion, the victims become active and willing, making it difficult to hold anyone accountable later.”
A few years earlier, there was a famous nightclub in Beijing called Yaotai Langyuan. Someone used this drug to train a group of sex slaves, controlling and forcing them into prostitution.
Later, Yaotai Langyuan collapsed, and within a few years, the Yuanqi Drink—an old familiar brand—was introduced. But that too was phased out. Less than ten years later, the Xiao Jin Pill emerged. This stuff is like a cockroach—once you find one, there are already thousands lurking in the shadows, with countless victims.
Xiao Qiwu had joined the investigation in the later stages of the Yuanqi Drink scandal because of his boyfriend’s death. To this day, nearly ten years later, he never stopped paying attention to the victims, even establishing a sanatorium abroad—an Eden built for them.
“The sanatorium is on a remote private island, with beautiful scenery, high skies, and vast seas. It’s very comfortable and healing—a perfect place for recovery.”
Fu Tingchao turned to Chen Zemian. “If it weren’t for his gratitude, these victims wouldn’t be willing to revisit the past or tear open their scars to testify.”
Back then, Xiao Qiwu failed to save his lover.
Since then, everyone he helped was trying to find a way through the long river of time.
“He saved many people.”
Fu Tingchao told Chen Zemian, “People who are powerless and particularly beautiful are easy prey. When such a person appears in our circle, he will deliberately make contact, observe, and—once confirmed—find ways to bring them over. Most will give up under money or interests. He’s known for being romantic and absurd—so he’s not subtle about it. If he can’t do it himself, he’ll ask me for help.”
Fu Tingchao finally clarified himself. “I don’t particularly like giving my lovers away, but it’s too conspicuous to give them directly to Xiao Qiwu every time. So I occasionally ask others to help.”
Chen Zemian replied, “I don’t particularly like it either, but I guess it’s love.”
“It was just casual—consensual. I never forced anyone. Maybe he just wanted to use me to climb the social ladder,” Fu Tingchao argued, glancing at Xiao Qiwu’s back in the distance. “I don’t have to be a widow.”
Chen Zemian was succinct. “Xiao Qiwu is pretending to be affectionate, and you’re genuinely romantic.”
Fu Tingchao said, “He has boundless love—he’s dedicated to destroying banned drugs.”
Chen Zemian suddenly understood. “So that’s why he insisted I drink when we first met—was it because that kind of drug is easier to put into wine?”
Fu Tingchao shook his head. “No. He was just flirting, trying to provoke Lu Zhuonian and stir hatred against the Xiao family.”
Chen Zemian: “…”
Fu Tingchao raised an eyebrow. “It’s effective. If the Lu family hadn’t intervened this time, progress wouldn’t have been so quick. Since you started investigating, the pace on Lu Shao’s side has accelerated—he’s worried about your safety, and my brother is as well. They keep telling me to take good care of you.”
This made Chen Zemian even more speechless. “Your brother has two big policemen following me every day. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I’m a suspect.”
“Do you want to know what he’s saying behind your back?” Fu Tingchao gloated. “He said, ‘If you look like that, don’t go investigating the case. It’s like your mother delivering food.’”
Chen Zemian: “…”
Fu Guanlan couldn’t help but mutter. After walking his retired police dog twice, he heard this comment and retracted it immediately. “I didn’t say that. What I said was that protecting citizens’ safety is every policeman’s duty—nothing more.”
Chen Zemian’s waist ached from riding. Seeing Fu Guanlan returning with the police dog, he dismounted to play with it.
It was a German Shepherd. Before retirement, it served as an anti-smuggling dog. When it saw Chen Zemian, it immediately stood up and sniffed.
Fu Guanlan leaned over, loosened the leash, and gave the command to follow and protect, letting it stick close to Chen Zemian.
The dog obeyed, staying alert. If anyone approached Chen Zemian, it would stand up and bark to warn.
“So handsome, so handsome,” Chen Zemian crouched, hugging the dog’s head. “I want to raise one. Is it easy?”
Fu Guanlan bent down, hands on his knees. “This dog needs a lot of exercise—at least two hours of walking daily—and it eats and poops a lot. Raising one is quite troublesome. If you like, I’ll lend it to you for a couple of days. If you really want it, I’ll watch over it when another police dog retires.”
Fu Tingchao looked a little annoyed. “That’s not what you said when I wanted to raise a dog.”
“Who are you?” Fu Guanlan snapped. “Your patience with your own brother is -9999. You can’t even raise your little lover who can eat and poop on her own for two days, and you think you’re qualified to raise a dog?”
Chen Zemian touched the dog’s head. “Actually, I can’t raise one either—I’m allergic to cat hair.”
Fu Guanlan responded, “Then it’s best you don’t.”
“The allergens in cat hair and dog hair are different,” Chen Zemian argued, “so I’d rather not raise either.”
Fu Tingchao insisted, “If you want a dog, raise one. I’ll get you one later. If you have allergies, you can give it to me.”
He was quick to act. Before Chen Zemian agreed, Fu Tingchao had already started making arrangements.
He asked around for famous dogs, determined to find a peerless one that could surpass his brother’s.
People in the circle wondered. They had never heard of Mr. Fu’s love before—how could a man tired of women after a few days be so serious about raising a dog?
And a dog that would surpass Fu Guanlan’s beloved canine?
Could such a dog be truly decent?
Of course not.
But then again, whether it was a real dog or a fake, a noble breed or an impure one, it couldn’t compare to his own brother.
Unconsciously, the pursuit shifted:
dog → the best dog in the world → purebred dog → purebred dog surpassing Fu Guanlan → dog with better physique than Fu Guanlan → better than Fu Guanlan → brother’s dog
Fortunately, it was Fu Guanlan himself who took the police dog that day. If it had been his father, who also walks the dog, who knows how rumors would spread.
Unaware that rumors were spiraling, Fu Tingchao focused on choosing a puppy. After some effort, he found one with excellent looks and immediately bought it.
Chen Zemian watched the video, commenting, “It’s just a puppy? It’s not handsome.”
Fu Tingchao said, “It’ll be handsome when it grows up. Dogs need to be raised from a young age to be loyal.”
Chen Zemian asked, “Can I return it?”
“It’s like buying cabbage on the street—you can return it anytime. It just took over ten hours to get here by plane,” Fu Tingchao said, holding the dog. “Do you want it? If not, I’ll keep it myself.”
Chen Zemian refused flatly. “You can keep it.”
Fu Tingchao took the dog home. At first, he was quite interested, but after three days, he grew tired of it.
Aside from the difficulty of raising puppies—mainly that it disrupted his work—the main problem was that the dog affected his schedule. If he locked it outside the bedroom, it would whine. If he let it in, he couldn’t focus.
It was still a puppy—how could he watch this all the time?
Though adorable and fun, it was inconvenient to delay his appointments.
Lu Zhuonian had yet to return from abroad. Chen Zemian, now alone at home, thought it was just right to raise such a single dog.
He planned to send it to him tomorrow.
At nine o’clock that evening, Chen Zemian was working overtime, writing a game plan while chatting with Lu Zhuonian via video on his computer.
Suddenly, Fu Tingchao sent two voice messages.
Chen Zemian casually clicked them.
Fu Tingchao’s voice rang out through the speaker, transmitted across the ocean: “Are you home? I’m here to see you.”
On the screen, Lu Zhuonian raised an eyebrow slightly.
The second message played automatically:
“This little puppy is too clingy, affecting my ability to play with my lover. You should take care of it for me for two days.”
Chen Zemian had been so engrossed in writing his plan that he forgot he was still on a video call with Lu Zhuonian. When he heard Fu Tingchao’s voice outside, he went downstairs with his phone in his pocket.
Since the device was farther from the computer, the call was automatically transferred to his phone.
The screen was locked, and Lu Zhuonian could hear the sound but saw no video.
As winter settled in, Beijing’s nights became dry and cold. Chen Zemian wrapped himself in a cotton coat and stepped outside. Just in time to see Fu Tingchao leaning against his car hood, holding the dog in the cold wind.
Perhaps worried the dog would get cold, Fu Tingchao had also put a down jacket on it, which looked quite funny.
He handed the dog to Chen Zemian. “Good Xiaomian, you’re really kind.”
Chen Zemian took the dog. “I told you not to raise a puppy.”
Fu Tingchao opened the car door. “I didn’t expect it to be so clingy.”
Although Fu Tingchao often sent little lovers everywhere, and Chen Zemian was allergic to animal hair, out of trust in his lover, Lu Zhuonian still believed Fu Tingchao’s gift was just a puppy.
But the conversation was growing more strange.
Fearing Chen Zemian wouldn’t want to keep it, Fu Tingchao hurriedly said, “It’s really fun and obedient. It’ll do whatever you tell it to.”
Chen Zemian replied expressionlessly, “Oh, then I’ll ask it to cook four dishes and one soup later.”
Lu Zhuonian: ???
Real puppies shouldn’t be able to cook.
But perhaps it was a joke—after all, Chen Zemian was quite abstract.
Just as Lu Zhuonian was about to convince himself, Fu Tingchao unexpectedly said something even more absurd: “No problem. You can ask it to take a doctorate exam, and it’ll pass.”
Lu Zhuonian: ?
Fu Tingchao turned to leave, but before getting into the car, he hesitated, reaching out to pet the dog. “Good little dog, listen to your new owner.”
Chen Zemian emphasized, “I’ll only keep it for two days! Lu Zhuonian will be back this weekend, and they have Christmas vacation.”
“Oh, then I’ll pick it up the day after tomorrow,” Fu Tingchao said, pulling a bag from the car. “These are its toys. Play with it more. There’s a dog training whip in there—you can use it if it doesn’t listen. This dog is stubborn; sometimes it’ll deliberately make mistakes just so you can hit it.”
Lu Zhuonian: …
Chen Zemian opened the bag and looked inside. “It wants you to play with it.”
Fu Tingchao stepped into the car. “I’m tired of playing. You can play with it. But don’t let it get on the bed. It’s not well-trained yet, and it will pee when excited.”
Lu Zhuonian: …
Chen Zemian nodded, indicating he understood. Fu Tingchao had nothing more to say. He kissed the puppy again, then turned the steering wheel and drove away.
Lu Zhuonian listened in silence for a few seconds, then heard the sound of the door closing.
Then, Chen Zemian’s voice rang out through the receiver. “It’s hot in the room—take off your clothes first.”
*****
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Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal wondering in the void and falling into the translation abyss.
