Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Truth be told, ever since Old Master Lu passed away, very few people had brought up topics related to family or familial roles with Lu Tingchao.

Over time, Lu Tingchao had even forgotten what it was like to live in a proper family.

He once had a home with Zhuang Ji.

But it never really felt like his own.

Later, Mo Lingnan said he could give him a home.

Lu Tingchao sighed.

He was wearing pure white cotton pajamas, of a different style than those he used to wear in Beicheng.

The oversized sleeves covered his fair skin, making his wrists appear even more delicate and slender, giving off a pampered air.

Yet the middle button was undone, revealing a large, exposed patch of skin.

The half-open window let in a chilly draft.

A gust of wind swept through the glass, carrying a slight chill.

Lu Tingchao sneezed.

Oh... seems like the prelude to a cold.

Lu Tingchao sniffed his red nose and looked expressionlessly at Fei Yuncheng.

Fei Yuncheng felt a stir in his heart at the look, his voice even carrying an unspoken tenderness: "What's wrong?"

"Achoo—!"

Lu Tingchao without ceremony let out a big sneeze right in Fei Yuncheng's direction.

He sneezed without any grace, manners, or decorum—spraying droplets everywhere—like a street hoodlum.

Fei Yuncheng: "..."

Lu Tingchao finally curved his lips with satisfaction, revealing a cunning yet innocent smile.

His pale fingers emerged from the slightly long, pure white cotton pajamas, reaching up slowly to touch the face of Fei Yuncheng, who stood before him.

It was a rather pointless gesture.

Especially considering the person opposite him was the most powerful figure in all of Hong Kong, an unattainable golden prize in the eyes of countless media, a legend written into the history of financial enterprises—a man known in the outside world as the farthest from romance and desire, an ascetic existence.

Lu Tingchao's fingers lightly tapped Fei Yuncheng's face, then traced slowly along the defined cheekbones.

Unlike Lu Tingchao's soft, pale fingertips, Fei Yuncheng's skin was typically tanned, his hardscrabble youth forging a hardy physique and firm muscles.

His build wasn't sculpted in a gym but earned through real, hard struggle.

Thus, even in middle age, he remained imposing and steadfast.

Lu Tingchao's slender fingers brushed past Fei Yuncheng's jaw, dancing lightly across his skin, and just as they were about to withdraw entirely—

Fei Yuncheng grabbed his wrist.

"What are you playing at?"

Fei Yuncheng said.

Lu Tingchao tried to pull his hand back but couldn't free himself, so he blinked and looked at Fei Yuncheng.

"Daddy?"

Lu Tingchao's vivid red lips parted, letting slip two light, teasing words with a rising tone.

Fei Yuncheng went completely still instantly.

He never dreamed... that Lu Tingchao would actually say those two words.

So easily, so casually, so capriciously and perversely.

In an instant, a surge of impulse and desire flooded Fei Yuncheng's mind, overwhelming his rationality. He found himself powerless to resist as his emotions overrode his usual reason.

In this moment.

Every part of his body seemed to mutiny and desert, ceding all control to Lu Tingchao—

Even if it meant mockery or manipulation.

Yet Lu Tingchao, now in command, showed no reaction.

He tilted his head, standing there with a face full of innocence, and murmured softly: "Daddy... Wow, Fei Yuncheng, are you trying to take liberties with me?"

Beneath the loose robe.

Fei Yuncheng realized he was already stiff with arousal.

He lowered his gaze to Lu Tingchao, and in the eyes of this... young man—almost a youth—Fei Yuncheng suddenly recalled a book he had read some years ago.

He had forgotten most of its contents.

But one line remained in his memory.

Back then, Fei Yuncheng was already successful, holding sway across Hong Kong, with countless people eager to climb into his bed, yet he scarcely glanced twice at anyone throughout the year.

Fei Yuncheng never believed that men were driven by their baser instincts—at least, he thought successful men shouldn't be.

But that book said—physical responses could override all rational thought and logic, ultimately dominating the deepest greed and desires within.

When physiological needs go unfulfilled, the itch penetrates to the very marrow.

Fei Yuncheng had never experienced such a physiological urge.

But in this moment.

He suddenly understood that bone-deep itch described in the book.

An itch that incessantly gnawed at his mind, as if only by pressing the figure before him into his very body, until their flesh merged, would bring satisfaction.

All emotions settled into silence in the quiet night.

Fei Yuncheng's Adam's apple rolled, his tone hoarse: "...No."

Lu Tingchao said, "Ah": "No what?"

"How is that taking advantage of you?"

Fei Yuncheng reached out, subtly tightening Lu Tingchao's robe for him. "It's quite common here to have honorary fathers and sons. If you're willing, you can certainly call me that along with A Qi and the others."

As Lu Tingchao hesitated, confused,

Fei Yuncheng added, "Though A Qi and the others rarely call me Dad now that they've grown up. They often call me Devin like everyone else."

Lu Tingchao: "Oh..."

Lu Tingchao had never been much of a studious learner. Raised by the Lu family and later supported by Zhuang Ji, he'd been thoroughly spoiled into laziness and idleness.

Lu Tingchao sounded out the pronunciation: "How do you spell it again? I always forget English names... D, then e, then..."

Fei Yuncheng: "Just call me Daddy."

Lu Tingchao: "???"

Fei Yuncheng's hand moved downward, a single finger uncurling Lu Tingchao's clenched fist to open his palm, then enveloping it entirely.

Not interlocking fingers, but a posture of his complete control.

"It's a popular term here in Hong Kong. Don't overthink it."

Fei Yuncheng's voice was calm.

His left hand held Lu Tingchao's, his right arm subtly sliding around his shoulder from behind, half-guiding-and-pulling him forward. "If it's awkward to say in front of others, you can call me that when it's just the two of us at home."

Lu Tingchao: "Ah..."

Is that really how it is in Hong Kong?

Having grown up without parental guidance, Lu Tingchao pondered for a moment, fixating on an unimportant detail: "Then what does Lu Doudou call you?"

Fei Yuncheng's gaze darkened. His eyes briefly glanced at Lu Tingchao's cotton-pajama-covered abdomen before he smiled faintly. "He calls me Uncle, for now. But Lu Doudou is clever. When he grows up, he'll naturally know what to call me."

"That works too..."

Lu Tingchao didn't dwell on it, lazily yawning before glancing back out the window.

Victoria Harbour was always lit, its lights shining through the night—a true non-stop city.

The glow of cargo ships flickered on the shimmering sea, painting a brilliantly radiant scene.

Fei Yuncheng held him by the shoulder, their posture intimately close from behind: "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Lu Tingchao was growing drowsy, tears forming from his yawn, making him look fragile.

He shook his head, a touch of sentimental nighttime mood setting in. "I just never thought I'd have a day like this... standing here looking at Victoria Harbour. It feels so luxurious."

Under the robe, the situation was concerning, yet Fei Yuncheng's expression remained composed, giving him a deceptively proper appearance.

He smiled gently at Lu Tingchao. "This is nothing. If the weather's good tomorrow, I'll take you out."

Lu Tingchao rubbed his eyes: "Where to?"

"As I promised you before."

Fei Yuncheng guided Lu Tingchao forward. He had a typical northern height, standing nearly half a head taller, making their height difference striking from certain angles.

Fei Yuncheng said, "I'll show you things you won't find in Beijing, alright?"

Lu Tingchao: "Things not in Beijing?"

Fei Yuncheng: "Like horse racing, casinos—wherever you want to go."

Lu Tingchao: "Ah..."

He'd actually never experienced any of that.

Lu Tingchao was easily influenced. He stood still for a moment, his gaze wandering.

But these weren't exactly good influences.

Things Lu Tingchao had never dared to touch before.

After thinking it over for a while,

Lu Tingchao still shook his head: "No, I don't have that kind of money."

Fei Yuncheng looked down at the person whom he held close: "I'll give you the money."

Lu Tingchao: "?"

Lu Tingchao was stunned.

Soon, they'd passed through the corridor covered in vines. Whether by the mansion's design or pure coincidence, Lu Tingchao's bedroom was right next to Fei Yuncheng's main bedroom.

At the far end was Fei Yuncheng's study.

On the other side of the staircase was Lu Doudou's room.

Fei Yuncheng opened the door for Lu Tingchao. The room was already fully furnished, cozy and luxurious.

Motion-activated lights turned on automatically as they entered.

Fei Yuncheng led Lu Tingchao inside: "If you don't like anything about how the room's arranged, just tell Kim tomorrow. He'll have it changed."

"Chao Chao, I hope you'll be happy here," Fei Yuncheng said.

It was unclear if this bedroom had been occupied before, but it had probably been aired out during the day. Lu Tingchao reached out to touch the sun-warmed bedding, soft and comforting.

Having been spoiled since childhood, Lu Tingchao was picky. Every bedding item had to feel just right, the mattress couldn't be too thick, even the pillows had to meet his standards.

It was very late.

Lu Tingchao sat on the edge of the bed, instantly sinking into a plush, almost swamp-like softness that felt discomfortingly insecure.

He instinctively braced his arm, making the robe Fei Yuncheng had draped over him slip off and fall onto the spread-out bed.

The room's lighting was typical bedroom lighting—warm and hazy, making him feel drowsy.

Fei Yuncheng had sat down beside Lu Tingchao at some point, casually placing the pajamas that had fallen on the bed aside. Then, he reached out to touch Lu Tingchao's forehead. "Sleepy?"

"Mm," Lu Tingchao replied.

"Then sleep."

Fei Yuncheng stood up and bent over, straightening the bedding for Lu Tingchao. He then patted the center of the bed. "Hop in."

Lu Tingchao said nothing.

Lu Tingchao looked up at Fei Yuncheng.

"What's wrong?" Fei Yuncheng asked.

Lu Tingchao suddenly asked, "Is it because you’re Daddy that you'll fix the bed for me?"

Fei Yuncheng was taken aback.

Then he laughed.

He reached out, one arm slipping around Lu Tingchao's waist, the other lifting him from under the legs, effortlessly sweeping him up into a bridal carry.

"Hey!"

Lu Tingchao was startled and instinctively hooked his arms around Fei Yuncheng's neck.

But Fei Yuncheng simply held him effortlessly, walking unhurriedly around the two-meter-wide bed in the center of the bedroom, even lightly jostling Lu Tingchao a few times along the way.

"That's right, because I'm Daddy," Fei Yuncheng said, stopping on the other side of the bed. "So I'll hold Chao Chao like this."

Lu Tingchao didn't speak.

He bit his lip, then slowly drifted into a memory, remembering how Zhuang Ji had held him like this before.

It was when he was too tired to get out of bed but still insisted on taking a shower.

Zhuang Ji held him, cooing and calling him 'baby'.

Lu Tingchao instinctively reached out and tugged at Fei Yuncheng's collar.

Fei Yuncheng was wearing a robe, the collar already quite open, and with Lu Tingchao's gentle tug, a broad expanse of firm muscle was revealed.

"Fei Yuncheng, don't lie to me," Lu Tingchao said.

Lu Tingchao's voice had a particularly soft, *nuo* (sticky rice-like) quality. Unless pushed to the brink, it always carried a slight playful lift, a tone tinged with an unmistakable pampered indulgence.

Fei Yuncheng was momentarily stunned by his words. "What?"

"My mom and dad never taught me, Fei Yuncheng," Lu Tingchao said. "Are all fathers like you?"

Fei Yuncheng held the person in his arms.

He looked down at Lu Tingchao.

Lu Tingchao was also looking up at him.

It's just that Fei Yuncheng had done too many bad things in his life; he neither feared retribution nor cared about anything else.

So Fei Yuncheng said, "Father-son relationships on the mainland might not be as close as they are in Hong Kong. You and Doudou are fine as you are."

"But Hong Kong is different," Fei Yuncheng added.

Lu Tingchao lay still and obedient in his arms without struggling, letting himself be held.

"Here, influenced by Western ideas, relationships tend to be more intimate," Fei Yuncheng said. "It's alright, Chao Chao, I’ll teach you all about it in time."

Lu Tingchao seemed sleepy, seemed tired, and didn't speak.

Fei Yuncheng held him close and, in the end, couldn’t help but lower his head to kiss Lu Tingchao's forehead. "Baby, aside from your grandfather, did your parents not leave you anything?"

Lu Tingchao turned his face away. "I’m going to sleep."

"Okay, Chao Chao is upset, I won't bring it up again."

No one in all of Hong Kong had ever seen Fei Yuncheng in such a soothing mode, almost meekly holding Lu Tingchao in his arms and speaking softly for a while.

Until Lu Tingchao yawned again.

Fei Yuncheng then said in a husky voice, "Does baby have to go potty?"

Lu Tingchao's face flushed instantly. "I'm not a kid! I don't need you to carry me there!"

"Alright, alright, sweetie, don't be angry."

The air conditioning in the room wasn't set too low, but Lu Tingchao had been held close by Fei Yuncheng, his hair damp with sweat, sticking softly to his temples.

Fei Yuncheng reached out to brush a few damp strands away from his temple, then coaxed softly, "Then shall we sleep? The bed is made, should I tuck Chao Chao in?"

Lu Tingchao said nothing.

Lu Tingchao squirmed a little.

He didn't dare look Fei Yuncheng in the eye, and after a long moment, murmured a soft "Mm."

Fei Yuncheng then placed Lu Tingchao in the center of the bed, right where he’d smoothed it out.

The mattress was a deep-sleep model Fei Yuncheng had personally chosen, and it almost instantly cradled Lu Tingchao’s full weight.

His soft black hair, left untamed and ungroomed lately, had grown somewhat long, spreading chaotically across the pillow, giving off a tousled, tempting look.

Fei Yuncheng bundled Lu Tingchao in snugly and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight kiss, baby. Sweet dreams."

Lu Tingchao was tucked in tightly by Fei Yuncheng, only his head poking out.

His beautiful eyes, after lying back down, actually widened a bit, as if regaining some clarity. "Aren't you going to sleep?"

"I'll stay till you’re asleep."

Fei Yuncheng ran his fingers through Lu Tingchao’s hair.

Lu Tingchao's momentary alertness faded again.

He shrunk back, darting his eyes around to avoid meeting Fei Yuncheng’s gaze.

A good while passed.

Sleep still wouldn’t come.

Lu Tingchao turned back toward Fei Yuncheng.

He reached out from under the covers, his fingertips slowly emerging like a small animal cautiously venturing out of its burrow in winter, furtively hooking onto Fei Yuncheng’s hand.

It was a tentative, delicate, and cautious gesture.

But Fei Yuncheng enveloped Lu Tingchao’s entire hand in return: “Why are you still awake?”

The sapphire nightlight by the bed was something Fei Yuncheng had brought back from an international auction. It had been refurbished with oak carvings, giving it an understated elegance.

The faint glow of the nightlight reflected on Lu Tingchao’s beautiful face, making him look even more enticing and innocent.

Lu Tingchao seemed to have wrestled with it for a long time but couldn’t help asking: “What we’re doing—is this really right?”

Fei Yuncheng, however, asked: “What are we doing?”

Lu Tingchao couldn’t answer.

It seemed like a simple question, yet somehow complicated.

One wrong answer felt like it would lead to irreparable consequences.

But maybe not.

“Just…”

Lu Tingchao didn’t have a conventional upbringing and hadn’t seen many examples of how other fathers and sons interacted.

He had only seen, back in his childhood, classmates’ fathers affectionately kissing other children, scooping up their children proudly, giving them a firm kiss, and hoisting them high on their shoulders.

He had also watched from afar outside amusement parks as fathers held their children’s hands to buy tickets and enter. He had the money, but as a minor, he couldn’t go in alone to play.

Old Master Lu was elderly, busy day after day. Lu Tingchao couldn’t bring himself to ask for such things.

But fortunately, he eventually grew up.

Lu Tingchao shook his head.

Fei Yuncheng’s natural body temperature seemed much higher than his. The warmth transmitted through their palms made Lu Tingchao feel an unsettlingly warm, burning sensation, leaving him with unease.

“What are we doing?”

Fei Yuncheng asked him again.

This time, Lu Tingchao shook his head: “I need to sleep.”

But Fei Yuncheng leaned down, using his free hand to tuck the blankets around Lu Tingchao, then gently stroked his face—a soft gesture, his expression calm: “Like this?”

Fei Yuncheng kissed Lu Tingchao’s forehead again: “Or like this?”

Lu Tingchao stared at him blankly, instinctively tried to turn his face away to avoid it, only to have Fei Yuncheng lift his chin and turn it back.

“Call me Daddy, Chao Chao.”

Fei Yuncheng held Lu Tingchao’s chin, their noses almost touching as he spoke.

Lu Tingchao caught the lingering scent of Fei Yuncheng’s perfume—winter fir, evoking a sense of calm and solitude.

Fei Yuncheng again kissed Lu Tingchao: “Good, sweetheart, call me Daddy.”

Their eyes met.

Lu Tingchao whispered: “Daddy.”

The quilt lay between them.

It also concealed the unspeakable, dark transformations in Fei Yuncheng’s body language.

His hand, caressing Lu Tingchao’s cheek, lingered, then gently tapped the tip of his nose: “Mmm.”

Fei Yuncheng’s voice had dropped completely.

His Adam’s apple bobbed sharply before he spoke: “Daddy will provide for you.”

It was very late.

And after having pondered so seriously for so long.

Lu Tingchao’s eyelids were heavy. Without thinking much, he blurted out: “I’m very expensive.”

In his drowsy state, Lu Tingchao seemed to remember something and said a bit gloomily: “I remember before the divorce, I cost Zhuang Ji so much money every month. I was such a big spender. Zhuang Ji earned…”

“Don’t mention Zhuang Ji.”

Fei Yuncheng placed his index finger on Lu Tingchao’s lips.

His fingertip was rough, while Lu Tingchao’s lips were delicate.

The friction created a faint, almost imperceptible tingling sensation, like pain, or a lingering chastisement.

Fei Yuncheng’s finger didn’t withdraw immediately. Instead, in Lu Tingchao’s bleary-eyed gaze, it traced the outline of his lips before he said slowly: “Chao Chao, whatever Zhuang Ji could give you, I can give you double.”

“Money, power… extravagance and indulgence.”

Fei Yuncheng lightly brushed the seam of Lu Tingchao’s lips, pulling away with a shimmering, suggestive trail.

“What does that brat even amount to?”

Fei Yuncheng brought his moistened fingertip to his own lips as Lu Tingchao’s eyes closed. “Chao Chao, there are so many thrilling things he hasn’t even seen yet.”

Lu Tingchao had already fallen asleep.

Fei Yuncheng sat by the bed for a long time, until the night grew quiet and all sounds faded: “Chao Chao?”

The beautiful youth on the bed was deep in slumber, his brows twitching and smoothing, as if even in dreams he found no ease.

Fei Yuncheng called softly again: “Chao Chao?”

Lu Tingchao’s hand was still held in Fei Yuncheng’s palm, treated with unmistakable tenderness.

The moonlight was blocked by the curtains.

Fei Yuncheng bent down, like a predator looming over its prey, and after a long moment, placed a deep, prolonged kiss on Lu Tingchao’s soft lips.

Those originally pale lips gradually took on an unusual crimson, as if kiss-swollen and well-loved—until their owner let out a soft murmur, frowning as if uncomfortable.

Only then did Fei Yuncheng let go.

“What can you do about it, Chao Chao?”

Fei Yuncheng slowly massaged each one of Lu Tingchao’s fingers held in his palm, with a contented sigh, "You've been spoiled into this state... pleasure-seeking, afraid of hardship, greedy, more easily tempted and swayed than anyone else."

Fei Yuncheng said softly, "How could you ever leave my side?"

*

Perhaps due to the discomfort of being in a new place, Lu Tingchao woke up unusually early the next day.

He didn't want to get out of bed or wash up, so he sat up and thought about his life—only to realize that since leaving school, he had never woken up this early.

Lu Tingchao: "..."

He felt stunned.

Lu Tingchao suddenly decided to commemorate this memorable day. He scampered out of bed, quickly washed up in the bathroom, then dashed out of his bedroom barefoot and peered into Lu Doudou's room.

Lu Doudou was still asleep.

For the first time, Lu Tingchao had woken up earlier than Lu Doudou, and he could hardly contain his excitement.

He paced back and forth outside Lu Doudou's room a couple of times but, sticking to his role as a good dad, suppressed the urge to wake Lu Doudou forcibly and brag.

So Lu Tingchao rushed downstairs and immediately spotted Fei Yuncheng sitting right in the center of the hall.

His spirits were high, and he even forgot to take a closer look at the several subordinates in suits standing beside Fei Yuncheng, heads bowed, reporting on their work.

"Daddy!"

Lu Tingchao ran up to Fei Yuncheng, his voice as clear as flowing mountain water. "I woke up early today, didn’t I?"

The two rows of subordinates beside Fei Yuncheng: "..."

Silence fell, thick and awkward.

The hall of the Fei family's old residence was decorated in a typical Chinese open layout, with an additional seat beside the main one, meant for the master’s spouse.

In the brief, awkward pause, Lu Tingchao finally noticed the group of people standing nearby.

He paused, glanced at their suits, ties, and polished leather shoes, then instinctively looked down at his own all-white cotton pajamas that looked like student sleepwear.

Lu Tingchao: "..."

His toes curled against the redwood floor, and he instinctively stepped back. "I..."

"Come here."

Fei Yuncheng's expression remained composed.

He didn't even change his tone, just waved him over.

As Lu Tingchao drew near, Fei Yuncheng wrapped an arm around his waist and guided him onto his lap.

Fei Yuncheng: "Why aren't you wearing shoes?"

Lu Tingchao was getting used to being held by Fei Yuncheng. He casually swung his feet. "I forgot. It’s fine—it’s not even cold."

"Who says it's not cold? It's autumn, the weather is chilly."

Fei Yuncheng held Lu Tingchao's calf and checked if his feet were cold. "Go put on your shoes first. I'll have Kim have the carpet installed today so you can walk around barefoot from now on."

"Alright."

Lu Tingchao hopped down reluctantly from Fei Yuncheng's arms, took two steps, then turned back to ask, "By the way, has the Weijing Estate started renovation? When can I move in?"

Fei Yuncheng said gently, "Not that quickly. It starts today, and I'm sending people over personally, okay?"

Lu Tingchao pouted. "Then I'll go take a look today too. It’s not like I have anything else to do."

Fei Yuncheng: "Better not go there. The renovation just started; there's nothing interesting to see."

Fei Yuncheng pointed upstairs. "Be a good boy and go get dressed. I'll take you out."

Lu Tingchao sounded a bit lethargic. "Out where?"

Fei Yuncheng: "Let's go to the Fei family's gambling hall. They don’t have these on the mainland. Want to see it?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao opened his mouth as if hesitating, then said, "...Then I'll just look, no playing, alright?"

Fei Yuncheng nodded and gave a soft smile. "Okay, no playing."

Lu Tingchao: "I mean it, no playing!"

Fei Yuncheng: "Mhm."

Lu Tingchao ran upstairs to change.

Only the two rows of subordinates remained, standing in terrified silence.

Having worked with Fei Yuncheng for a long time, they all knew that Devin hated outsiders knowing about his family affairs—whether it was his intimate partners or internal family matters. Even the whereabouts of the birth mothers of his two children, Fei Xiuqi and Polina, remained unknown, the subject of rumors.

And yet, just moments ago—

In a matter of seconds, they seemed to have caught a glimpse of Mr. Devin’s best-kept family secret.

Daddy.

What did he mean by ‘Daddy’?

Fei Yuncheng didn't elaborate, and they didn't dare utter a word.

The awkward tension hung in the air for a long time.

Fei Yuncheng said, "We’ll stop here for today. I have other arrangements."

He stood up and added nonchalantly, "You should know what not to talk about."

The subordinates felt a chill run down their spines. "We understand! Don't worry, Mr. Devin!"

Fei Yuncheng gave a slight nod and said nothing more.

Kim and A Zhi, one in charge of household matters and the other external operations, soon arrived. They passed the two rows of subordinates, still pale, and stopped in front of Fei Yuncheng.

Before A Zhi could speak,

Fei Yuncheng said, "Arrange a car. We're going to the golden hall today."

In this line of work, it had its own term—a place where you could win or lose a fortune in a day.

And the Fei family owned most of such establishments.

Ah Ji was somewhat surprised, "Sir, it's been a while since you last went there... Which area did you have in mind?"

"Longzhong."

Fei Yuncheng said, "Taking my wife for some fun. Have the area cleared out, make sure there's nothing that shouldn't be there."

His wife?

Ah Ji instinctively wanted to ask but was stopped by a look from Kim.

Following Kim's gaze, Ah Ji saw the person humming a tune and swaying down the stairs.

He’d changed his clothes, different from the slightly wrinkled outfit from yesterday's long flight. It was probably also prepared by Devin, so well-tailored it suggested an intimate knowledge of his measurements—a handmade haute couture piece from a designer so exclusive that even wealthy clients might wait years for a single piece.

Ah Ji, sharp-eyed, recognized it at a glance and immediately clamped his mouth shut, bowing his head. "I'll take care of it right away, Boss."

Lu Tingchao was still sauntering over.

Ah Ji headed out.

Kim pondered for a moment, lowering his voice slightly. "Boss, there were two calls on the business line just now—one from the young heir who recently took over as the mainland gambling house operator, and the other from the CEO of 'Monan' Industries."

Fei Yuncheng was leisurely flipping through a financial report from the day. "Since they're calls on the business line, direct them to the appropriate departments. As for anything else..."

"Understood. We know nothing about it."

Kim nodded. "Also, Young Master Ah Qi just called, also asking about Mr. Lu..."

Fei Yuncheng: "Oh? What did he ask?"

Cold sweat covered Kim's back. After a moment, he replied, "Young Master Ah Qi asked... if Mr. Lu has been any trouble to you."

Kim: "Young Master Ah Qi also asked if he could trouble you to keep an eye on Mr. Lu, to make sure he doesn't go out... He said he's worried, afraid Mr. Lu might draw attention from other men again. Boss, this..."

"Tell him 'OK.'"

Fei Yuncheng closed the financial report and stood up, walking toward Lu Tingchao. "Tell him, it’s not a problem."