Chapter 108: The Love Game (9)

Chapter 108: The Love Game (9)

◎"I'm not here to disrupt the team; I'm here to join it!"◎

Under the pleasant sunlight outside the window, the four gathered again, sitting at the dining table for a meal.

Feng Bin brought some desserts, knowing Shi Youqing loved them: “There’s a bakery next to the apartment, not sure if you’d like it.”

Shi Youqing thanked him, taking the dessert with a sense of camaraderie.

"Brother Qingqing, I’ll hire a baker later... Ouch, who stepped on my foot?!" Hao Tianzhuo looked under the table in pain and then glared at Bo Lancha with brewing hatred, "You just wait..."

Bo Lancha interrupted him bluntly: “Qingqing is about to discuss something important.”

"Oh right," Shi Youqing took a sip of juice, “Let's combine our information and clues first.”

Hao Tianzhuo begrudgingly straightened up, trying to look attentive.

"The murderer of Wang Fan is among the four targets. Currently, both Lu Yuze and Huo Xu have motives. Lu Yuze has a necrophilia fetish, and Huo Xu apparently likes…” Shi Youqing struggled to find the right words; Bo Lancha helped him finish, “Likes other people's wives.”

That was roughly the gist. Hao Tianzhuo snorted, his eyes reddening: “Nonsense about other people’s wives! I say he just likes to snatch what others love!”

Shi Youqing felt this description was apt too, adding, “That’s his motive. Wang Fan and Lu Yuze were lovers for a while, making Wang Fan a likely target.”

Hao Tianzhuo nodded, imagining: “Maybe on a dark and stormy night, he harbored ill intentions towards Wang Fan, and when Wang Fan refused, he impulsively or accidentally killed him?”

Feng Bin: “……”

In the absence of sufficient clues, bold guesses were necessary.

Shi Youqing said, “It’s possible. As for Yanchuan and Bai Minglang, we don’t see clear motives yet. But Bai Minglang seems to know Lu Yuze’s father... there might be some hidden grudges involving Wang Fan.”

Feng Bin offered, “I’ll go back and inquire, see if I can find out more.”

Shi Youqing hummed in agreement.

Hao Tianzhuo, lacking new clues but unwilling to give up, suddenly said, “I remembered... the guard who took my shift was on good terms with Wang Fan. He said Wang Fan was very friendly, always greeted him when leaving... He mentioned that Wang Fan’s boyfriend was unfriendly, often showing a cold attitude, and it was usually Wang Fan initiating their dates.”

Shi Youqing’s eyes widened: “Lu Yuze?”

“Yes, it’s Lu Yuzhe,” Hao Tianxiang boasted, glancing sideways at Bo Lan. “According to that security guard, Wang Fan is just a lapdog, and his relationship with Lu Yuzhe isn’t as close as it seems.”

Shi Youqing put down his chopsticks, lost in thought as he stared at the table.

The security guard’s unbiased perspective as an NPC had no reason to lie, but this created a contradiction with Bai Minglang’s version of Wang Fan and Lu Yuzhe’s relationship.

According to Bai Minglang, Lu Yuzhe, a possessive person, was very fond of Wang Fan. He not only used the haunted excuse to make Wang Fan stay at his house but also didn’t allow him to be close to Bai Minglang. “Even if he’s cold on the outside but warm on the inside, it doesn’t make sense for him to be so dependent on Wang Fan for dates, does it?”

Feng Bin hesitantly said, “Could it be that the security guard witnessed them during a breakup phase?”

Hao Tianxiang shook his head. “That guard has been working here for years.”

The group fell silent.

After finishing the meal, Shi Youqing stood up and paced in an open space, digesting his food while also organizing his thoughts.

While the others were cleaning up, a pair of chopsticks accidentally fell to the floor, sparking an argument over a trivial matter.

“What’s with that look? It wasn’t me who dropped them!” Hao Tianxiang retorted, visibly holding back his anger. “I just wiped the table and didn’t notice it. You must have dropped them. The floor is dirty now. How can you take care of Shi Youqing like this?”

Bo Lan, putting down his utensils, approached Hao Tianxiang with a cold expression.

Clearly, a fight was brewing, but Feng Bin quickly stepped in between them: “Alright, it was me who dropped the chopsticks. Let’s all focus on our tasks!”

Hao Tianxiang, knowing he was no match for Bo Lan, felt a heavier heart. Catching sight of Shi Youqing approaching, his emotions burst like a tap turned wide open, and he impulsively exclaimed, “Let’s fight then! It’s not certain who will win or lose! Since Shi Youqing is here, let him see who’s the loser!” His neck strained, fists clenched, he seemed ready for a do-or-die battle.

His posture was filled with a desperate resolve, as if prepared to meet his end right there.

Bo Lan’s face darkened like charred coal, sidestepping Feng Bin to grab Hao Tianxiang’s shoulder with a strong grip.

Caught off guard, Hao Tianxiang tried to shake him off, but Bo Lan’s grip tightened suddenly, unyielding and merciless. Hao Tianxiang was about to be flung against the wall...

“Hey... can’t you two coexist peacefully?”

At those words, Bo Lan abruptly ceased his movements.

The anticipated pain never arrived. Hao Tianxiang, stunned, reopened his eyes to see Shi Youqing approaching, his long eyelashes casting a shadow over his eyes, stirring something within Hao Tianxiang, who suddenly felt overwhelmed with sorrow: “You might as well let him continue, let him beat me to death.”

If not for Shi Youqing standing between them, Bo Lan would have definitely landed a heavy punch.

“What’s really bothering you?” Shi Youqing, unable to comprehend Hao Tianxiang’s sadness, suggested, “Since we’re all here with nothing else to do, why don’t you clear up your misunderstanding? Bo Lan isn’t a bad person.”

“……”

Feng Bin, unable to hold back any longer, burst into laughter.

“Why are you laughing?” Shi Youqing turned to look at him.

Feng Bin’s gaze shifted among the three, finally landing on Hao Tianxiang’s face: “If you have something on your mind, just say it directly. Don’t beat around the bush.”

“You’re the one who’s beating around the bush!” Hao Tianxiang roared, then realizing his abnormal behavior, retreated a step, defensively asserting, “I... I’m a straight man, after all!”

Feng Bin/Bo Lan: “......”

Shi Youqing: “?”

Hao Tianxiang, his face contorted with embarrassment, turned to flee, but Shi Youqing coughed, halting Hao Tianxiang in his tracks with concern.

At the doorway, Hao Tianxiang turned anxiously back.

Shi Youqing, now surrounded by Bo Lan and Feng Bin, was questioned by the former while the latter quickly fetched water and medicine.

“Shi Youqing...” Hao Tianxiang rushed over, his actions betraying his uncertainty, “Are you... are you alright?”

Shi Youqing shook his head, about to speak but Bo Lan scooped him up and seated him on the sofa, with Feng Bin offering water and medicine.

“Shi Youqing...” Hao Tianxiang, believing Shi Youqing was distressed, guiltily reddened his eyes, “I won’t cause trouble anymore... I...”

"My throat was itching just now, but it feels better now." After taking a deep breath and coughing again to clear his throat, Shi Youqing turned to Hao Tianxiang, "What were you saying just now?"

Hao Tianxiang looked down, seemingly deep in thought, biting his lower lip tightly.

After a moment,

"Shi Youqing, you're right. It's better to speak out about things…" He decisively lifted his head, first giving a profound look at the weakened young man in front of him, then sweeping his gaze over Bo Lan, who was frowning in restraint, and Feng Bin, who looked surprised, before focusing back on Shi Youqing, "I'll tell you my thoughts right now!"

Shi Youqing listened intently, ears perked.

Feng Bin quickly glanced at Bo Lan, ready to intervene if needed.

"I didn’t come here to disrupt the team; I came to join it!"

“……”

Feng Bin rolled his eyes.

Bo Lan silently scoffed.

In the dead silence that followed, Shi Youqing asked, "...Is that what you think?"

Hao Tianxiang nodded, "That's right, from now on, I won't fight with Bo Lan." At least, not in front of you.

Although somewhat puzzled by Hao Tianxiang's erratic emotions, Shi Youqing felt content with a peaceful resolution. He held his hands together, feeling a concluding statement was needed, and mused, "United brothers can cut through gold. Let's not fight anymore."

“……”

Brothers? Hmm, Hao Tianxiang glanced at Bo Lan smugly, thinking, as Shi Youqing's brothers, who's more noble?

"By the way, Shi Youqing, what did you mean when you said some people can collect affection without direct contact?"

"About that... Take Lu Yuzhe, for instance. He has a necrophilic inclination. If I pose for a photo and then edit it to look like a corpse, he might increase his affection for me just by seeing it. As for Huo Xu, we've already had successful experiences. Anyone who shows affection for me in front of him might be useful."

Hao Tianxiang was stunned.

Feng Bin had considered this before, asking, "Do you have a camera here?"

"Yes, but let's not rush. With what just happened to Lu Yuzhe, producing such a photo now seems too deliberate... I'll think about how to take it and then proceed."

Feng Bin nodded, "Actually, a painting could work too, but finding an artist on short notice is difficult..."

Hao Tianxiang, suddenly having an idea, chuckled, "I know what to do for Huo Xu..."

“……”

Not long after, Feng Bin received a phone call and stood up to leave.

Having pulled an all-nighter, Hao Tianxiang needed more sleep, and with a new plan in mind, he too cheerfully departed.

Their departure left the room in utter silence.

Shi Youqing returned to his room for a nap, intending to set an alarm, but Bo Lan, sitting by the bed, said, “I’ll wake you when it's time.”

“I'll only sleep for half an hour,” Shi Youqing adjusted his position on the bed, “Make sure I don’t oversleep.”

“Don't worry.”

Full and sleepy, Shi Youqing comfortably closed his eyes.

After a while, he felt a warm breath tickling his ear, someone calling him to wake up.

“Youqing, it's time to get up.”

Opening his eyes, Bo Lan helped him sit up, “Did you sleep well?”

“Oh... yes...” His words were muffled as he lay in Bo Lan's arms, rubbing his eyes, “Just need to wake up fully.”

Bo Lan held him still, simply embracing him.

Shi Youqing quickly felt more alert, bending down to put on his socks, only to realize they were already on. He said in surprise, “Did you put these on for me? I didn’t feel a thing... I must have been really out of it. If you’d played a prank, I probably wouldn’t have known.”

Bo Lan, his ears tinged red and his Adam’s apple bobbing, pressed his lips together without saying anything, and helped him put on his slippers, “In an hour, I have to go for a solo mission.”

“What mission?”

“There’s a major repair project in the apartment's activity area. I need to supervise it.”

Shi Youqing responded affirmatively, patting his hand, “Go ahead.”

Bo Lan, with a low voice, said, “There’s still an hour left.”

Shi Youqing blinked and quietly said to Bo Lancha, "Could you do something for me?"

[Author's Note]

Apologies for the late update. To thank the angels who dropped mines: Menggou Jiu Hui Jia's Naive Cat and light, 1 each;

Thanks to the angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: light, 228 bottles; lilin, 90 bottles; Xiaochun Rihe, 11 bottles; He Fei cn control author concept does not match, 5 bottles; Xiuying, 1 bottle;

“Thank you all for your support, I’ll keep trying my best!”