On September 27, Tao Fengche finally ended his week-long home rest and returned to the school he had been away from for a long time.

It was unclear how Feng Hui had informed the classmates, but when Tao Fengche stepped into the classroom ten minutes before morning self study, he surprisingly didn’t receive any strange looks— as if he were just like the other students, coming back to school with a tired face after spending a pleasant weekend at home.

When Tao Fengche returned to his seat after handing in his homework and preparing for morning study, he still felt a bit unreal.

Wang Yuan had been holding it in all morning, and finally, during lunch, he couldn’t contain himself any longer. He put down his chopsticks after eating half and leaned in next to Tao Fengche, lowering his voice to ask about the reason for his absence.

Tao Fengche thought for a moment and replied vaguely, “I was investigating a case.”

“Is it…” Wang Yuan hesitated, and after seeing Tao Fengche nod, his expression gradually turned serious, “Did you find out anything?”

Tao Fengche fell silent for a while, then finally nodded: “Mm.”

Initially, asking Wang Yuan for help to trace the money’s flow was out of necessity, but now that he had resolved the misunderstanding with Sui Yuesheng, he could rely on the Tao family’s influence to continue the investigation. This matter involved too many people, and the true culprit was a ruthless organization, so he didn’t want to put his friend in danger.

“That’s good!” Wang Yuan, who was usually carefree, instantly brightened up without any suspicion. He patted Tao Fengche’s shoulder and chuckled, looking as if he wanted to say something.

But Tao Fengche was quicker to speak.

“Thank you.” He said earnestly.

Wang Yuan was taken aback, his expression somewhat comical, and he awkwardly scratched his head.

“Hey, why are you suddenly being so polite? You scared me… Saying thanks is just formalities, you know? You’re treating me to lunch today!”

“I’ll treat,” Tao Fengche readily agreed.

…

Life after returning to school was much calmer than Tao Fengche had imagined.

He had just walked through a hail of bullets; even though he hadn’t suffered too much and had rested at home for a week, he was still occasionally startled awake by the deafening gunfire.

Explosions and severed limbs filled his dreams, and under the overwhelming crimson, the sensation of a cold gun barrel pressed against his temple felt like a bone-deep affliction.

He opened his eyes wide in the darkness, gasping for breath until fresh air finally filled his lungs; then he took out the Glock 34 he had tucked under his pillow, disassembled it, and reassembled it before grabbing a tissue to wipe the cold sweat off his forehead.

Then he lay back down, forcing himself to return to sleep— he had to get up early for school the next day.

Upon returning to the routine life of school and home, immersing himself wholeheartedly in studies, Tao Fengche initially felt somewhat strange, but he quickly adapted.

Time flowed forward like the tide, and in late October, he suddenly received a phone call.

Even years later, he would remember that day clearly, not needing to close his eyes to recall every detail that appeared vividly in his mind—

It was October 23, a Saturday.

After a morning of video conferences for Sui Yuesheng, he finally had some free time after lunch. Tao Fengche pushed back his homework plans and invited him to the shooting range for some practice.

Sui Yuesheng readily agreed.

The temperature had stabilized at a comfortable level, and Tao Fengche stubbornly refused Xu Song’s suggestion to wear thermal pants, while Sui Yuesheng had already donned a heavy woolen coat and wrapped a scarf around himself, looking several years younger.

Seeing this, Tao Fengche felt both affectionate and moved; he handed him a small hot water bottle and took hold of Sui Yuesheng’s other hand, keeping it warm in his palm.

“It’s just a few steps; we’ll be there soon.” Sui Yuesheng moved his hand slightly, but he didn’t pull it back.

Tao Fengche was used to Sui Yuesheng’s awkwardness and didn’t respond to him, merely smiling and holding his hand a bit tighter.

He needed to make sure his brother wore gloves in a couple of days, Tao Fengche thought.

As they walked hand in hand in silence, Sui Yuesheng suddenly looked up at the trees planted along the path: “Didn’t Uncle Xu say that the osmanthus flowers have bloomed?”

“Ge, that’s a cedar; it doesn’t bloom. The osmanthus tree is further toward the pavilion.” Tao Fengche stifled a laugh watching Sui Yuesheng search for a while before teasing him, “The hibiscus and rose of Sharon aren’t in this area either. If you keep going down this path, you’ll only see the phoenix trees.”

Sui Yuesheng hadn’t been able to distinguish the trees in the Tao family mansion ten years ago, but Tao Fengche didn’t expect him to still be confused after a decade.

A fleeting look of embarrassment crossed Sui Yuesheng’s face, and Tao Fengche quickly changed the subject awkwardly: “Do you want to see flowers? Then after we finish at the shooting range, let’s stop by the flower house.”

Sui Yuesheng immediately followed the stairs down leisurely: “Are the chrysanthemums blooming in the flower house?”

“Mm, I took a look this morning during my run; they are blooming beautifully.” He softened his voice, acting cute, “Ge, can you accompany me to see them again later? It’s what I want to see; it has nothing to do with you.”

“Uh-huh.” Sui Yuesheng mumbled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Tao Fengche knew this meant Sui Yuesheng agreed. He looked around and, finding no one nearby, quickly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

Sui Yuesheng glanced at him.

Feigning innocence, Tao Fengche said, “I checked; there’s no one around. The patrolling bodyguards have gone far away.”

With his puppy-like eyes blinking, he pretended to be entirely innocent, though his mind was likely racing with schemes.

Sui Yuesheng let out a low chuckle, seeing through the act but not calling it out. Instead, he decisively turned his head and returned Tao Fengche a solid kiss.

The two were about the same height, with Tao Fengche being slightly taller, but the minor difference was almost negligible during the kiss.

Their lips touched briefly before parting, both feeling the dryness caused by the autumn wind. Sui Yuesheng had spoken too much that morning, and the corners of his lips were slightly cracked; the rough skin brushed against Tao Fengche, making him feel a little itchy.

…He would have to ask Uncle Xu later where the lip balm was. While processing the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Tao Fengche reached out to grip Sui Yuesheng’s scarf, preventing him from leaving, and gently pressed his right hand against the back of Sui Yuesheng’s head, attempting to deepen the kiss.

The fallen leaves on the ground crunched underfoot like stepping on shards of glass. Lost in the moment, Tao Fengche instinctively spread his fingers; Sui Yuesheng’s silky hair flowed through his fingertips like water. He slowly nibbled on Sui Yuesheng’s lower lip, tentatively biting down lightly, then carefully licked it with his tongue.

Sui Yuesheng’s attitude visibly relaxed, and he almost loosened his jaw to let Tao Fengche in—

But a sudden ringing phone abruptly interrupted everything.

Sui Yuesheng nearly jumped back as if shocked, his expression forced into a calm facade: “Your phone is ringing.”

Damn it!

Tao Fengche couldn’t help but curse inwardly, utterly frustrated— why hadn’t he put his phone on silent before leaving?!

He was reluctant to end the moment and wanted to let the call go to hell, then pull Sui Yuesheng back to make up for the missed kiss.

But the opportunity slipped away; Sui Yuesheng had already donned his mask of composure, and the vibrating phone in his pocket couldn’t be ignored—it could be something serious!

Tao Fengche took out his phone, using all his self-control not to hang up the call.

…It was an unknown number.

Tao Fengche confirmed that he had no impression of this string of numbers.

It was likely a scam call. He thought this to himself but still patiently chose to answer.

“Hello?” Tao Fengche said impatiently.

“Is this Tao Fengche, Young master Tao?”

On the other end of the line was a lazy male voice, carrying a unique charm. Tao Fengche found the voice somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall due to the interference of the line.

Perhaps it was just a brief encounter.

The next moment, his speculation was confirmed.

“I am Jie Yushu. I came to your home last time with Zhao Jiayang, and we met once more at Old Master Zhu’s birthday banquet.” After introducing himself, Jie Yushu added, “I apologize for the intrusion, but I do have something to discuss with you…”

He was a popular young star and also an omega, maintaining a low profile, but Tao Fengche had no sympathy and interrupted rudely, “Where did you get my number?”

Jie Yushu paused, completely unprepared for this question. His prepared response was disrupted, and after a moment of hesitation, he continued, “I got it from Zhao Jiayang. One time when he was calling you, I saw it on his phone screen and thought it might be useful later, so I wrote it down.”

“Mm.” Tao Fengche nodded, accepting this explanation.

— Zhao Jiayang’s lover. After meeting Sui Yuesheng’s surprised gaze, Tao Fengche mouthed a word, and seeing the lingering confusion in Sui Yuesheng’s eyes, he simply switched to speakerphone and continued.

“So…?”

Tao Fengche’s tone was drawn out, mixed with a hint of barely restrained impatience—if it weren’t for this call from Jie Yushu, he might still be kissing Sui Yuesheng right now!

Tao Fengche was very unhappy that his mood had been spoiled.

“Young master Tao, I wanted to ask if you know where Zhao Jiayang is? I have an urgent matter to discuss with him, but I can’t get in touch…”

According to recent findings from the Tao family’s investigation, Zhao Jiayang was the one who sold the cemetery address and Tao Zhixing’s driving route to the Red Gang. He indeed only played a facilitating role, but Tao Fengche could not forgive him.

That was his father.

And Zhao Jiayang was his grandfather’s adopted son, how could they turn against each other like this?

Although Tao Fengche had never spoken about it publicly, this incident had a significant impact on him. He simply didn’t have the energy to help Zhao Jiayang with his emotional debts.

He spoke wearily, “What is it?”

Jie Yushu hesitated slightly, “Uh…”

“Speak.”

Tao Fengche lowered his voice, no longer bothering to conceal his impatience.

After a long moment, Jie Yushu finally spoke in a soft and quick tone, “I’m pregnant.”