Chapter 149: This Is My Partner

Chapter 149: This Is My Significant Other

Though dubbed a long break, it was merely seven days.

That same evening, they were still required to cooperate with the Police Force's investigation.

The two surviving robbers, already weak-willed, confessed everything immediately under questioning by the Police Force.

Fang Kaichang leaned across his desk, arms outstretched, staring intently at Jian Ruochen. "British Hong Kong has designs on you. Did you know?"

"I did," Jian Ruochen replied, using his uninjured left hand to leaf through the robbers' confession records.

The documents detailed how MI6 Group D had recruited them, the generous terms offered, and the specific targets they were instructed to eliminate.

This was an assassination operation disguised as a gold shop robbery.

Guan Yingjun, seated nearby, asked, "Mr. Fang, why would British Hong Kong target Chen Yunchuan?"

Chen Yunchuan was competent, but as a mere inspector at a branch police station, he objectively wasn't worth such an elaborate assassination.

"It's not Chen Yunchuan they're after; it's the Commissioner's wife."

Fang Kaichang sighed deeply. "Your uncle is so rational and capable now precisely because of Madam's support and guidance behind the scenes. Given Director Le's original temperament, the entire Police Force would likely have dissolved into chaos. British Hong Kong probably feels the Police Force has become too prominent, overshadowing the Security Bureau, and fears losing control. That's why they're eager to regain the upper hand."

Fang Kaichang chuckled again, smoothing the graying hair at his temples. "If Director Le had understood human nature from the start, he wouldn't have raised you this way."

Guan Yingjun glanced over. "Mr. Fang."

Fang Kaichang waved his hand with a laugh, then turned to Jian Ruochen. "Didn't your family hire bodyguards for you?"

Jian Ruochen replied, "They did."

"If they did, why weren't they with you?" Fang Kaichang asked, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his voice.

Jian Ruochen: …

He'd stayed at Detective Guan's place yesterday; bringing bodyguards along would have meant no privacy. Besides, who could have predicted they'd encounter a robbery just while buying shrimp cakes?

The crucial point was…

Luo Binwen still didn't know about their relationship.

Seeing Jian Ruochen offer no explanation, Fang Kaichang recalled Guan Yingjun's desperate embrace earlier that day.

Guan Yingjun had always been a lone wolf since childhood. It was already strange for him to be strolling a pedestrian street with someone. The ecstatic, relief-like joy he showed after shooting the robber was even stranger.

Then there were the bodyguards who were hired but nowhere to be seen…

If he still didn't understand at this point, he might as well hand over his position as Senior Inspector of the Police Force's Special Duties Unit to someone else!

Ah, well…

These young people were secretly dating.

Trendy.

Thrilling!

Fang Kaichang's gaze shifted, and he cleared his throat lightly. "From now on, make sure the bodyguards accompany you. You are very important to all of Hong Kong—nothing can happen to you."

Especially to the Police Force's Special Duties Unit and the Emergency Unit.

If anything happened to Jian Ruochen, the heads of these two departments would be the first to lose their jobs, and the power structure within the Police Force would be completely reshuffled.

While Jian Ruochen felt it wasn't quite that serious, he nodded obediently. "I understand, Mr. Fang."

The gold shop robbery had occurred at noon, and it was already 5 p.m. In another hour, it would be time for STN's prime-time news broadcast.

Today's prime-time news would undoubtedly focus on the details of the robbery.

Luo Binwen would definitely see it.

What should he do?

Feeling guilty, Jian Ruochen fidgeted with his fingers. Luo Binwen already thought being a police officer was dangerous and wanted him to switch to finance instead.

Preoccupied with these thoughts, he barely registered Fang Kaichang's subsequent effusive praise. He spent ten minutes nodding and smiling absently before leaving the Police Force office building with Guan Yingjun.

At 5:30 p.m., it was dinnertime for the police officers.

Cars came and went in the Police Force parking lot, and a few officers stood arm in arm at the entrance, chatting and laughing.

Most were discussing the daytime robbery.

"Hey, what luck does the West Kowloon Major Crimes Unit have? Three of their officers were at the scene during a robbery—they've stolen all the spotlight this time!"

"Right? Actually, we didn't even fire a single bullet. Even the robber who took Jian Ruochen hostage was taken down by Guan Yingjun."

At this, they exchanged glances, unable to suppress some playful looks.

"Hey, that Detective Guan… who would've thought? Quite the romantic, huh."

"Aren't we all? What about you? Did your girl scold you today? Haha."

"Go on, stop teasing her."

The group laughed and joked as they headed toward a nearby tea restaurant.

Jian Ruochen listened to their banter, lowered his gaze, and fastened his seatbelt.

*Click.*

Guan Yingjun's heart skipped a beat. He swallowed, unable to stop himself from looking into Jian Ruochen's eyes. "You…"

Would he think this relationship was bad timing?

"Take me home," Jian Ruochen said calmly.

Guan Yingjun was momentarily stunned. "Is this what you were zoning out over in Fang Kaichang's office?"

"Yes." Jian Ruochen turned to look at him. "I acknowledged Luo Binwen as my godfather—he's like a father to me now. I want to tell him about us during dinner tonight."

Guan Yingjun responded softly, "Okay."

After telling him, it'll be easier to have bodyguards, and there'd be no need to hide things in the future.

But what if Luo Binwen didn't approve of him?

Guan Yingjun thought while turning the steering wheel and heading towards Heping Mall. "Does Uncle Luo have anything he particularly likes?"

Jian Ruochen pondered for a moment. "...Tobacco for his pipe?"

Luo Binwen owned a golden nanmu pipe, which he didn't use often, but would occasionally take a few puffs when he had some leisure time.

That pipe was probably a gift from Keli Siduo·Kang Nate, as the metal connecting rod bore her initials.

In the end, Guan Yingjun didn’t buy any pipe tobacco at Heping Mall.

Mr. Luo was well-traveled and knowledgeable; gifting him pipe tobacco from here would seem rather impersonal.

Instead, he bought a set of youthful clothes and changed into them. Relying on his memory from their few meetings, he swiftly picked out several brand-new pocket watch accessories and designer neckties. He then swung by his uncle and aunt’s house and retrieved a few bottles of vintage red wine from their gift collection.

Piecing together these odds and ends, he managed to fill the back seat with gifts for the meeting.

Jian Ruochen was amazed.

Who said Detective Guan was socially inept? When it mattered, he certainly knew what to do.

The black open-collar casual jacket was an excellent choice—it made him look like he’d just graduated from university.

At 6 p.m., Guan Yingjun parked the car at the entrance of the mountain villa at Lijin International and felt unusually nervous.

He adjusted his brand-new outfit, which still had the tags freshly cut off, and glanced at the person beside him. "Maybe I should change into a suit?"

Jian Ruochen: ...

"You look perfectly presentable."

Guan Yingjun’s outfit was quite handsome.

A black open-collar casual jacket, zipped up to the chest, revealing a white round-neck undershirt. Paired with crisp, wrinkle-free blue-gray casual pants and black sneakers.

His hair was lightly gelled with mousse, looking volumized and well-groomed.

Jian Ruochen licked his lips, suddenly thinking it might be better if men never became intimate.

In the past, when he saw Guan Yingjun dressed well, he never had inappropriate thoughts.

But now...

Jian Ruochen’s gaze drifted for a moment before he deliberately looked away and knocked on the door.

Luo Binwen hadn’t been home long. He had just finished showering and was drying his hair when he personally answered the door.

Jian Ruochen immediately broke into a smile and stepped forward to hug him. "Uncle Luo!"

Flattery gets you everywhere.

"You’re home so early today—business must be going smoothly, thriving even. You’re truly the pillar of Kang Nate. Kang Nate couldn’t do without you, and I couldn’t do without Uncle Luo either."

Luo Binwen chuckled and patted Jian Ruochen’s tousled hair. "Indeed, business is thriving. That electronics company you bought is quite the surprise. The market for portable laptops has taken off, and November’s net profit is expected to double. I originally thought it would lose money."

Jian Ruochen let out an "oh," his mind elsewhere as he glanced behind him. "How much would doubling be?"

"About one billion U.S. dollars, not too much." Luo Binwen handed the towel he’d been using to dry his hair to a housekeeper holding a tray.

Jian Ruochen felt dizzy.

That much?

Then the billion dollars he’d donated to the motherland was practically like he'd spent nothing at all!

Luo Binwen poured a glass of lemonade, hiding a smile at the corner of his lips as he looked up at the person standing at the door. "Mr. Guan."

"Hello," Guan Yingjun said, holding the gifts with composure. "Uncle Luo."

Luo Binwen sensed something was off.

If Guan Yingjun had brought gifts because he needed a favor, he should have explained why he came and made small talk by now.

If not, then why had he brought so many gifts?

Luo Binwen glanced down at Jian Ruochen, who had been acting well-behaved since entering.

Jian Ruochen’s breath hitched.

None of the calm, easy confidence he’d shown in Guan Yingjun’s car remained.

Instead, he seemed somewhat uneasy.

He weighed his words, struggling to choose a term that fit the era among options like boyfriend or darling.

"Uncle Luo," Jian Ruochen said softly, "this is my partner."

I brought him to meet you.

*Clink.*

The glass of lemonade and ice made a crisp sound.

Luo Binwen set the cup back on the tray with an unchanged expression and looked at Guan Yingjun. "Come in."

Guan Yingjun stepped inside, changed into slippers, and carried the gifts to the coffee table. "Jian Ruochen mentioned you treasure your pocket watch, so we picked out a few pocket watch accessories for you."

The wording was flawless, and Jian Ruochen inwardly praised it.

Pocket watch accessories were specific—if Guan Yingjun had said he picked them alone, it might have seemed like he was prying into preferences or trying to curry favor.

Luo Binwen looked at Jian Ruochen, who was looking down slightly. "Alright, thank you. Just set them on the side table."

Guan Yingjun did as instructed and sat beside Jian Ruochen.

Luo Binwen studied the two carefully.

Guan Yingjun was tall and somewhat reserved, but he seemed genuine—his attention was entirely on Jian Ruochen.

That was a good thing.

The Kang Nate family had plenty of money. The Young Master’s partner didn’t need to know finance or have grand ambitions.

He just needed to not harm the Young Master.

As for the Young Master himself... he had no airs and never saw himself as the head of the family. It was hard to tell whether he’d chosen this partner on a whim or with serious intent.

At 6 p.m., the male house attendant turned on the TV as usual, switching to the STN news channel.

Jian Ruochen gripped the fabric of his trousers over his knees, his anxiety instantly doubled.

Luo Binwen watched him, observing the young master duck his head, practically trying to disappear into his own shirt, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

In this situation, he genuinely felt like he was Jian Ruochen's father.

If Jian Ruochen were really his and Keli Siduo's child...

Luo Binwen picked up the pot of black tea and poured a cup each for Jian Ruochen and Guan Yingjun. "Did you stay over at Mr. Guan's place last night?"

Jian Ruochen took a sip of the black tea, his ears turning bright red.

That word—"sleep."

Was it a verb or a noun?

He had just nodded silently when he heard Chen Zhuyao's forceful delivery from the television:

"Today, an armed robbery occurred at an old gold shop on the Yau Tsim Mong pedestrian street. Before the police arrived, only three officers from the West Kowloon Regional Crime Unit were on-site maintaining order and engaging in a gunfight with the robbers."

"Consultant Jian single-handedly took on three, bravely turning the tide!"

Jian Ruochen met Luo Binwen's gaze and put on an obedient smile. "Haha."

Luo Binwen rubbed his thumb over the teacup handle, neither drinking nor speaking, quietly watching the entire report.

From the gunfight to Jian Ruochen's brave takedown of the robbers.

Then from the negotiation and release of hostages to becoming a hostage himself.

And finally, Guan Yingjun's incredible shot.

STN, after all, was their family-owned network and didn't broadcast that final embrace.

Jian Ruochen breathed a sigh of relief, watching Luo Binwen's face for a reaction.

After a long pause.

"Have you had dinner?" Luo Binwen asked.

Jian Ruochen mumbled, "Not yet."

"You're injured." Luo Binwen's gaze fell on Jian Ruochen's palm. "The mainland sent us a chef who's really skilled. I'll go tell him you need to eat light these days."

With that, he didn't even finish his tea, set the cup down, and headed into the kitchen.

Jian Ruochen: ...That's it?

Guan Yingjun was momentarily stunned.

He had been prepared for a storm, but aside from his initial reaction to their relationship, Luo Binwen had remained remarkably calm.

"Maybe it's because nothing could be more shocking than 'liking a scumbag like Lu Qian,'" Jian Ruochen whispered.

Guan Yingjun's breath hitched.

He knew perfectly well that the Jian Ruochen who had liked Lu Qian wasn't the same person as the current one, and that the attraction was likely due to drug influence rather than genuine feelings.

But it still felt like someone had laid a hand on his property.

It made his heart ache.

Guan Yingjun paused, then asked quietly, "The mainland even got you a chef?"

Jian Ruochen was a little embarrassed. "Maybe it's because when I ate with the higher-ups, I ate like..."

...as if he hadn't eaten in a year.

And also—a skilled chef.

It sounded suspiciously like a mess sergeant assigned for protection.

Maybe someday he'd ask him to caramelize sugar properly.

Jian Ruochen's mind was already feasting on a full imperial banquet, but half an hour later, the table was set with stir-fried green beans, stir-fried yardlong beans, chive and egg stir-fry, winter melon and seaweed with pork, corn and pork rib soup, and green pepper with cauliflower.

There wasn't a hint of soy sauce in sight.

The staple was mushroom and shredded chicken congee.

It was fragrant and not entirely bland, but it lacked excitement.

No spice, no soy, no vinegar, not even ketchup.

Jian Ruochen ate in silence.

His right hand was injured, making it difficult to use chopsticks, so he had to pitifully scoop congee with a spoon in his left hand.

The television reran the coverage of the noon incident, and STN even invited guest experts to analyze whether there could have been a better solution to the situation.

Luo Binwen said quietly, "From now on, have your bodyguards stick with you."

Jian Ruochen nodded repeatedly. "I know."

"You know?" Luo Binwen laughed helplessly. "What you should know is how important you are to me, to this family, and even to Mr. Guan Yingjun."

Jian Ruochen was taken aback.

"You should also consider whether, without you, Kang Nate would become an out-of-control capital war machine," Luo Binwen said, almost cruelly. "Don't think that making a will means everything is settled, young master. I'm getting old."

In that moment, Jian Ruochen noticed the streaks of white in Luo Binwen's hair and the wrinkles on the back of his hands.

Luo Binwen averted his gaze. "You need an heir."

After learning that Keli Siduo's death was due to drug influence, his obsession with "love" had faded.

As long as Jian Ruochen had no regrets, that was all that mattered.

But...

"Kang Nate also needs an heir."

Guan Yingjun tightened his grip on his chopsticks.

No wonder Luo Binwen hadn't objected earlier—he was waiting for this.

"I'm into men now. I'm not going to switch to dating women, nor will I have children with them," Jian Ruochen softly rejected.

Wouldn't that just be leading someone on?

Luo Binwen studied him for a moment, then let out a sigh. "I knew you wouldn't agree."

"Forget it," Luo Binwen repeated quietly. "Forget it. You can adopt a few children, or get an heir from Kang Nate's side branches. There will always be someone capable of inheriting Kang Nate."

Luo Binwen clasped his hands together and placed them on the table: "How about that?"

Jian Ruochen: ...

That could work.

But he wasn't exactly thrilled about becoming a dad at twenty.

Even counting his past life, he was only 25 now.

"About adoption and succession..." Jian Ruochen glanced at Guan Yingjun and whispered, "I need to discuss it with him. It’s still too early."

Guan Yingjun felt his heart melt.

He suddenly felt that even if Jian Ruochen had to keep them dating in secret indefinitely due to his career, it wouldn’t be such a big deal.

Luo Binwen: "Alright."

He set down his bowl and chopsticks, turning to say, "Get the guest room ready."

But in the end, Guan Yingjun didn’t sleep in the guest room.

He carried his pillow and the medication powder given by the Police Force’s medical officer to the master bedroom.

After changing Jian Ruochen’s bandages, he held him close and passed out.

The first three days of the seven-day break were pretty uneventful.

Jian Ruochen rested at home, and when he had free time, he’d go to the kitchen to learn how to caramelize sugar from the mainland chef.

The man clearly had the bearing of a military cook—his posture was even straighter than the ornamental posts in the courtyard.

Once the cuts on his palm had begun to heal, Jian Ruochen couldn’t stand the bland broths and meals at home anymore and went to the Bauhinia Apartments to find Guan Yingjun.

The two went to the noodle shop downstairs from the old hotel, shared a bowl of wonton noodles and some fried fish. Only then did Jian Ruochen feel satisfied and crash at the Bauhinia Apartments.

After the mainland authorities learned about the old gold store robbers, the recorded confessions of the two robbers were used as diplomatic leverage to condemn and warn British Hong Kong.

Outside, things were getting heated.

Jian Ruochen, however, was the one receiving praise and had nothing much to do.

At home, he had to eat by himself, but at Detective Guan’s place, he didn't even have to lift a finger.

"Fried wontons are awkward to eat with a spoon. Let me help you," Guan Yingjun said.

Jian Ruochen glanced at the bed beneath him. "Actually, my legs are fine. Maybe we should eat in the living room."

There was no need to go to all that trouble.

"You stayed in bed half the day at home and wouldn’t get up no matter how much I called you. Now you want to go out?" Guan Yingjun said with a laugh, dipping the corner of a wonton in a bit of vinegar. "There, done."

Jian Ruochen caved.

Four days, and this was his first taste of vinegar—an opportunity too good to miss.

He leaned over and took a bite of half, leaving the other half without vinegar on the chopsticks.

Guan Yingjun glanced down, took the other half himself, and said, "Finish the next one properly. Stop being picky, or I’ll feed you something else tonight."

As he spoke, he set the chopsticks by the bowl and rested his hand on Jian Ruochen’s stomach, giving it a rub.

Jian Ruochen, as if to challenge him, only took half again.