As time passed, Qiao Si’s radius of activity gradually expanded. With Duan Heng’s permission, he was allowed to go out as long as someone accompanied him. Having been confined for so long, the world beyond his walls seemed almost reborn, bursting with novel sights and diversions that beckoned him. Memories of former indulgences glimmered with renewed allure.

Yet, his physical limitations dulled the excitement. Mobility was a constant struggle, and his status was nothing like before. On some outings, he scarcely left the car at all, contenting himself with watching the scenery before returning.

On this particular day, Duan Heng personally took him out. Qiao Si didn’t ask where they were headed, he just wrapped himself in a heavy coat and slumped in his seat, listless throughout the journey.

It wasn’t until they arrived that he seemed to catch a familiar scent. He sniffed the air, eyes sparked with a trace of vitality as he turned to the young man beside him. “Hot spring?”

The young man leaned down, his voice as soft as his smile. “Do you like it, Fourth Master?”

Qiao Si had always taken great pleasure in long soaks, and when winter set in, he would often retreat to a hot spring hotel for days at a time.

But ever since that fateful night, even a proper bath had become a luxury. His state of mind had changed as well—true indulgence like this had long since become a thing of the past.

Now, as they entered the hotel, the flicker of anticipation—a rarity—played across Qiao Si’s otherwise indifferent face. Everything else faded into insignificance as he set his sights stubbornly on the hot springs.

This was a place he had frequented before, so he needed no guidance. He merely gestured for Duan Heng to push his wheelchair and headed straight for the springs.

Once Duan Heng had finished rinsing him off, the moment he was carried into the steaming water, Qiao Si let out a sigh of utter relief. The sensation was so overwhelming that he shuddered, his eyes closing as he surrendered completely to the warmth.

He was acutely aware of the other man beside him—just as bare, their bodies having been in full view of each other mere moments ago under the shower. Alone together in the private indoor pool, the air thick with the mineral scent of sulfur, it was inevitable that a certain tension would settle between them.

Yet, Qiao Si’s mind was set on nothing but relaxation. All he desired was to sink into the heat, letting it seep into every inch of his body. He had no interest in any lust the shared bath might stir, though he was fully prepared to accept it should it come.

But as he soaked to his heart’s content, nothing happened.

When Qiao Si finally stepped out of the water, his body relaxed and his mind at ease, a sudden wave of hunger hit him so hard it nearly made him dizzy. As if on cue, a sumptuous feast of fresh crab awaited him, just as it always did.

Though his meals during this period had been far from terrible, his reduced circumstances as a prisoner left no room for indulgence or culinary fuss. It wasn’t the time to demand luxuries or savor delicacies, nor did he have the heart for such things. Every meal was hastily dealt with, a mere formality to stave off hunger.

Now, as he looked upon the spread before him—every dish exquisitely prepared, each bite rich with delicate flavors—it felt almost surreal, as if he had stepped into a past life. The tender shark fin and crab roe melted on his tongue, sending a second wave of pleasure that rivaled the bliss of the hot spring. Every mouthful seemed to seep into his very pores, warming him from the inside out.

Duan Heng watched his expression soften, the corners of his lips curving into a smile. “When I have more time,” he said softly, “tell me what else you’d like, Fourth Master. I’ll make sure you have it.”

Dish after dish passed, and Qiao Si lost count of how much he had eaten, only stopping when he was finally sated. With his stomach full, drowsiness soon followed. Seeing this, Duan Heng lifted him onto the wheelchair. “Why not rest in the room for a while?”

Qiao Si mused that if it were still his private room awaiting him, the experience would be nothing short of perfection. At this moment, the thought of sinking into a soft, spacious bed was almost irresistible.

As Duan Heng wheeled him down the dimly lit corridor, a few guests approached from the opposite direction. The moment their gazes met, both sides froze in place.

“Fourth Brother.” The man smiled as he spoke, flashing his teeth. “You seem to be living quite comfortably. Your spirits look much improved.”

Qiao Si said nothing. Instead, Duan Heng answered politely on his behalf. “Thank you.”

Qiao Che merely chuckled and said no more as they passed each other.

When they reached the lobby and waited for the elevator, Duan Heng suddenly received a call. After a somewhat startled exchange, he hung up hurriedly and instructed, “Fourth Master, please wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Qiao Si, knowing better than to attempt a futile escape, stayed put without protest, content to wait.

Duan Heng had barely left when he returned, much sooner than expected. Qiao Si felt the weight of a hand settling onto the wheelchair just as the elevator doors slid open.

“That was quick,” Qiao Si remarked.

The person behind him didn’t respond. Instantly, Qiao Si sensed something was off. He didn’t need to turn around—the moment the elevator doors opened, the reflection on the wall revealed everything. Standing behind him was a man with a mischievous smile.

“Fourth Brother,” Qiao Che greeted, pushing him into the elevator. His touch lingered at the back of Qiao Si’s neck in a seemingly gentle caress, blocking the doorway until the doors closed.

Seated in the wheelchair, Qiao Si assessed the situation calmly. There was no chance of winning here, so he asked calmly, “What do you want?”

Qiao Che smiled again. He did that much more often now than before. Though his smile didn’t always signify good intentions, it was still undeniably captivating on his face.

“It’s been a while, Fourth Brother. Thought we should catch up.”

The elevator finally came to a halt. Before stepping out, Qiao Che pressed several additional floor buttons. To Qiao Si, it seemed like an unnecessary flourish, but knowing his brother’s playful nature, he chose not to interrupt his amusement.

At this hour, the corridor was empty. Even when a staff member passed by, all they saw was a well-dressed man gently and affectionately pushing another in a wheelchair, his fingers resting with apparent concern on the other’s neck—nothing appeared out of the ordinary.

Upon reaching the door, Qiao Che deftly swiped the key card and wheeled him inside. Once the door clicked shut, Qiao Che, with a tone reminiscent of a game of hide-and-seek, mused, “How long do you think it’ll take Duan Heng to find this place?”

Qiao Si thought for a moment. “Probably not too long.”

Qiao Che chuckled. “I don’t need too long—just long enough.” As he spoke, he lifted Qiao Si’s chin with one hand, leaning in as though appraising him. “Fourth Brother, you look surprisingly pleasing today. Hot springs really do wonders for the complexion, don’t they?”

Qiao Si suddenly struck out like lightning.

Qiao Che, seemingly prepared, narrowly dodged by tilting his head. A short laugh escaped him before he circled behind Qiao Si, swiftly bringing his foot down to halt the wheelchair before Qiao Si could move. “Save your strength, Fourth Brother.”

Having missed his chance, Qiao Si decided to conserve his energy, allowing Qiao Che to bind his hands and carry him to the bed.

If he had been wondering earlier what game Qiao Che intended to play, now that he was on the bed, the possibilities had narrowed significantly. 

Lying there, he gazed up at his only younger brother.

“This again? You already tried this last time. You should know by now—it won’t work.”

Qiao Che settled himself on the edge of the bed, adopting a casual posture as though ready for a friendly chat. “Fourth Brother, where has your mind wandered? I told you, it’s just a catch up. Why don’t you believe me? There’s no one else but you and me.”

“And what exactly do you want to catch up on?”

To Qiao Si’s mild surprise, Qiao Che kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and lay down beside him, propping his arms behind his head. “Anything is fine. Don’t you have anything you’d like to say to me?”

Qiao Si considered for a moment. “Hm… that you’re a pervert?”

If not for Qiao Si’s bound hands and immobilized state, the two of them lying side by side, staring at the ceiling, might have resembled a leisurely conversation between brothers.

“In what way am I a pervert? Does Duan Heng never play around with you when he’s bored?”

“He really doesn’t.”

“Well then, I suppose you have been doing well lately?”

“Not too bad.”

Qiao Che rolled over and sat up, pulling open Qiao Si’s clothes and examining him from head to toe. Compared to his usual pallor, the soak in the hot spring had brought a faint pink flush to his skin. He was clean, meticulously so, and though still thin, he looked undeniably better than the skeletal state he had been in at the hospital.

“You really have been taken care of quite well.”

“Mn.”

“Living comfortably—so you prefer staying with Duan Heng now?”

“Yeah.”

Qiao Che studied him. “Do you actually like Duan Heng, Fourth Brother?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “Wait—don’t answer yet. First, tell me, between Duan Heng and me, who’s better?”

Facing the man waiting for his reply, Qiao Si sighed, “Qiao Che, it has been over a decade. I can’t keep playing these games with you.”

That rejection darkened Qiao Che’s expression as he glared at him. Then, without a warning, he struck him across the face, the sharp crack of the blow echoing in the room. “All that talk about being willing to die for me back then were nothing but bullshit.”

Qiao Si had always known himself to be ill-tempered and difficult, but now Qiao Che’s temper had far outstripped his own.

“You’re with him because he’s good in bed, huh? Did that little skill really get you so obsessed? Unbelievable. You have been with countless men, and yet a mere actor has you wrapped around his finger. Seems to me you just enjoy being fucked.”

When Qiao Che had been speaking calmly, Qiao Si had been willing to engage. But now, as the man’s anger spiraled out of control, he fell silent, his expression unreadable.

“If you like being fucked so much, why don’t you try me instead?”

Qiao Si found that… rather odd.

Qiao Che had gotten everything he wanted—power, control, the upper hand. Yet, he didn’t seem happy. If anything, he seemed even less content than before. His satisfaction had always come from defeating Qiao Si, from seeing him brought low. But now, when faced with him, there was no sense of triumph, no smug superiority. Instead, Qiao Che’s moods swung wildly, unpredictable and unsettling.

In the past, Qiao Che had treated him like something filthy, something to be avoided at all costs. If their paths crossed, Qiao Che would wipe his hands clean as if touching him had left a stain. But this time was different. Qiao Che undressed him himself, propped his hips up with a pillow, and forced his legs apart.

The last time he had seen Qiao Che’s bare body was more than a decade ago. Back then, his body had still carried traces of youthful immaturity. But now, what lay before him was the fully grown physique of a man, with a form and strength that were unmistakably different.

Qiao Che settled between his spread legs, his weight pressing down as he positioned himself. With a single thrust, he sheathed himself inside Qiao Si, who gasped sharply at the intrusion. But Qiao Che didn’t move immediately. He paused, his voice low and almost contemplative as he said, “Fourth Brother.”

Only after that did he begin to move. It was nothing like the careful, calculated rhythm Qiao Si had grown accustomed to with Duan Heng. This was raw, almost brutal, each thrust driving into him like a hammer driving a nail. Qiao Si’s breath hitched, fragmented sounds escaping his throat as he struggled to process the overwhelming sensation.

Qiao Si was well aware of every brutal motion of the man above him. His hips were roughly handled, forced against the other’s lower abdomen with each thrust. Each impact nearly shattered his senses, causing his whole body to tremble and his back quickly drenched in sweat.

No matter how intense it became, he was unable to move. He could only allow the Qiao Che to penetrate and be wantonly manipulated under his hips deeply. 

At first, it was strained and difficult, but as the wet sounds from their joined bodies grew louder, their sweat-slicked skin slid against each other with increasing ease. Unable to resist any longer, Qiao Si cried out in the midst of the consuming act. “Qiao Che… Qiao Che…”

The cry of his name was a plea for reprieve, but his younger brother showed no intention of relenting. With each powerful thrust, his own arousal grew. He gripped Qiao Si’s waist, lifting him and positioning him to straddle him, thrusting upwards continuously. The force and depth of the penetration nearly caused Qiao Si to lose all control.

Lost in a daze, he had no sense of how long the act had continued. Qiao Si had never endured such intense intimacy. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say his soul left his body. 

He simply lay limp in his brother’s arms, feeling him move restlessly against him. In wave after wave of rhythm, he was brutally marked with bruises.

The entire process was rough, but not abusive; it could almost be considered as lovemaking at this point. The wild thrusting finally ended with a fierce penetration, and both of them gasped for air as if they were about to drown. Qiao Che still held his hips tightly, buried his head in his neck, and bit down hard on his neck.

Qiao Che remained inside him, only withdrawing slowly after waves of climax and ejaculation had subsided. Qiao Che reached down to roughly touch his already exhausted and soft lower body. As he was doing so, Qiao Che suddenly pushed him back onto the bed, leaned down, buried his head between his legs, and fiercely took the tip into his mouth as if he wanted to bite it off.

Qiao Si, feeling the slight pain, couldn’t help but question if Qiao Che had lost his sanity.

Qiao Che wasn’t insane. But Duan Heng, having broken down the door, was driven to madness by what he saw. The sight of the man on the bed filled his eyes with a burning rage, and he couldn’t help but hiss, “Qiao Che, this is too much!”

Qiao Che leisurely adjusted his attire and chuckled. “Why so angry? Can you honestly say you’ve never done something like this? Don’t act like you’re any better.”

Duan Heng was momentarily at a loss for words, his face instantly turned pale.

Qiao Che continued, “Besides, what right do you have to get mad? Just because he’s with you doesn’t mean he belongs to you. Even if you want to stand up for him, have you even asked if he’s willing?”

“…”

“You and I are the same, so spare me the self-righteous act. Also, he’s been with you for quite some time now, hasn’t he? Isn’t it my turn? How about we strike a deal—lend him to me for a month. What do you say?”

“Absolutely not.”

Qiao Che wasn’t surprised by the outright rejection. He merely shrugged, watching as Duan Heng carefully wrapped the man up and carried him away.

Though the night was still young, it was clear that this hot spring retreat had come to an abrupt end. 

Qiao Si was cleaned up and laid down on the bed.

Regarding the incident, Duan Heng had refrained from making any remarks to Qiao Si, though his sorrow was evident. Qiao Si, having drifted into a hazy sleep, awoke in the middle of the night to find the young man still seated by the bedside, silently immersed in his own sorrow.

Noticing Qiao Si stir, Duan Heng asked softly, “What’s wrong, Fourth Master? Can’t sleep well? Are you feeling unwell?”

Qiao Si shook his head, eyes half-lidded with drowsiness.

Then, with sudden resolve, Duan Heng said, “I will never hand you over to him.”

Resting his head against the pillow, Qiao Si replied wearily, “Do you think that makes any difference to me?”

He wasn’t someone who would lose himself over such matters.

To Qiao Si, such things, while undeniably a part of life, held no profound significance. Even when tied to dignity, they didn’t necessarily outweigh other concerns. It was no different from eating—when one had control, they chose what they liked. But in times of hardship, when others dictated the terms, one simply accepted whatever was forced down their throat.

In their world, the methods of torment were endless, ranging from cruel to outright vicious. Being violated and being beaten until one’s body was a mass of welts—there was not much difference in the severity of suffering.

Qiao Si’s thoughts wandered, thinking about something just beyond his grasp. It hovered on the edge of his consciousness, elusive yet persistent, leaving him unsettled.

Duan Heng lowered his head. “He would hurt you. I wouldn’t. I want to treat you well.”

Despite these words, Qiao Si’s expression remained indifferent. Instead, he shifted the topic. “Regardless, you can’t handle him. You are at a disadvantage everywhere.”

“I’m not incapable of dealing with him, it’s just…” The young man paused for a moment before continuing, “Fourth Master, do you still remember Ren Ningyuan?”

“Mm?”

“The ones who hurt you before. After the incident, we originally planned to eliminate them completely, but it turned out to be far more complicated than expected. They have ties to the Rong family—connections strong enough to enlist their help—and their ambitions are no small matter. They can’t be taken out quickly, and instead, they’ve retaliated, causing all the trouble we’ve faced recently.

“If the Rong family decides to take things seriously, we’re bound to suffer losses in a direct confrontation. Several deals we had in place have fallen through lately. Although we’ve managed to find alternate buyers, the losses are obvious, and this kind of pattern doesn’t bode well for us.

“Ren Ningyuan’s people may not be particularly capable, but their surveillance has kept me and Qiao Che from turning against each other openly. Otherwise, we would only be serving ourselves up as easy prey.”

Qiao Si couldn’t tell whether he should be enraged or amused. After a moment, he remarked, “Everything was in order when I was in charge, and now it’s all falling apart under you two. Since I’m already like this, you may as well just keep tearing each other apart over this mess.”

Duan Heng didn’t respond immediately. After a while, he bit his lip and said, “Honestly, there’s not much point in holding on. Even without the Rong family’s interference, the organization has been in decline these past two years. There’s nothing left for me to be attached to.”

Qiao Si turned to him, narrowing his eyes in offense. “What did you just say?”

“It’s not that you didn’t manage things well, Fourth Master, it’s just… nothing lasts forever. It’s not a surprise.”

Seeing the shift in Qiao Si’s expression, the young man hesitated before adding, “Fourth Master, the way the organization operated in the past has become outdated. In today’s environment, they no longer work as they used to. Changes are unavoidable.”

“…”

“Also, although you’ve expanded the business, there are too many people feeding off it. The so-called ‘veterans’ sitting idle in their positions are everywhere. None of them are willing to step down, and they all protect each other. When I checked the accounts, the surface seemed fine, but it’s all rotten underneath. The more we keep these parasites, the worse it gets. But things have already deteriorated, and fixing it would require immense effort and weaken our foundation.

“…”

“And now, we’re entangled in matters we can’t shake off. I feel that…” Duan Heng paused, “I think it’s better to just let it go.”

Qiao Si studied him, and the young man met his gaze. It was Qiao Si who finally broke the silence. “What do you mean?”

“I want to take you away from here.”

“…”

“I’ve already prepared everything we need. We can leave this empty shell to Qiao Che, and then we…”

“…”

Under Qiao Si’s scrutiny, the young man’s face flushed slightly. “We can go somewhere else, where none of this can reach us. It will just be the two of us…”

“…”

“If… you’re willing…”

Duan Heng eventually fell asleep beside him, holding him gently and obediently, without making any further moves. In that strong and secured embrace, Qiao Si slept soundly and warmly through the night.

When he awoke, the first thing he saw was a young, familiar face still lost in slumber. He observed the young man’s sharp nose, the tousled hair falling over his forehead, the long eyelashes, and the relaxed, thin lips.

The morning air carried a slight chill, but he could feel the warmth of the young man’s slow, steady breaths against his skin.

This was what he had once longed for.

Due to an unexpected and overly forced intimacy, Qiao Si had fallen ill again. The wounds on his body left him weak, and for the next few days, he remained bedridden, with Qiao Bo attending to him day and night, while Duan Heng busied himself with everything else.

That day, when Duan Heng hurried back, the rain outside was pouring heavily. Though someone held an umbrella for him, his shoulders were still soaked by the time he stepped inside.

Qiao Si sat in the living room with an empty expression. The noisy parrot had been moved to another room, but an uninvited guest remained, leisurely sipping his second brew of tea.

Duan Heng strode across the carpet, leaving wet footprints from his shoes. “Qiao Che, we had an agreement. What do you think you’re doing showing up uninvited like this?”

The guest smiled. “Don’t be so heartless. I’m just having a bit of your tea. I’ve been thinking, Fourth Brother has stayed with you for quite a while now. Isn’t it time for a change of scenery?”

Duan Heng frowned. “So you’re breaking your word?”

“That’s not what I meant. When you proposed using the stage as collateral, it was only your idea. I never agreed to it.”

Duan Heng said plainly, “If you’re not satisfied, I can transfer that bar over to you. Or, you can pick any other one you like.”

Qiao Che laughed. “How generous. But you know well that several places have been causing trouble lately. A bunch of brats making trouble, business becoming a mess. What’s the point of handing me a losing deal? Of course, you’d be eager to offload them on me.”

“The disruptions are temporary; it’s not like they’re unsalvageable. Why are you being so impatient?”

Qiao Che waved dismissively. “Don’t try to fool me. With too many things on hand, no one can manage everything. In these tough times, those with cash in hand have the upper hand.

“How about this? Fourth Brother has been with you for a long time without progress. Why not let me have a go? Don’t worry, if I manage to extract any money from him, I won’t keep it all to myself. I’ll remember to give you a share.”

Duan Heng replied coldly, “You’re being unreasonable. Fourth Master has already said there’s no such money.”

“No money and no people—I’m the one at a disadvantage, aren’t I? If there truly isn’t any money, then I won’t force the issue. Just hand him over to settle the debt. That should be acceptable, right?”

Though he spoke courteously and reasonably, Duan Heng remained firm. “That is not up for discussion.”

Qiao Che remained unfazed. “Whether or not it’s up for discussion isn’t for you to decide.” Then, turning to Qiao Si with a slight smirk, he continued, “Fourth Brother, you seem to be living quite comfortably here, hmm?”

Qiao Si, exhausted, lifted his eyelids to look at him but said nothing.

After a few seconds of staring, Qiao Che raised his eyebrows. “If that’s the case, I wouldn’t want to separate you two. But it makes no sense for someone else to reap all the benefits while I get nothing. I’m your brother, after all. Am I not worth more than an outsider?”

Receiving no response, Qiao Che showed an unusual amount of patience. “Alright, Fourth Brother, how about considering redeeming yourself?” He held up his fingers to indicate an amount. “You two find a way to gather this amount, and I’ll leave you alone. You can live however you want afterward. How about that?”

Duan Heng interjected, “Qiao Che!”

Qiao Che smiled and added, “Whether it’s money or the person, I need a definitive answer today. You can’t expect me to wait forever, can you?”

Draining the last of his tea, he set the cup down with surprising sincerity. “Take your time to think it over and discuss it. Let me know once you’ve decided. I’ll be around, enjoying the scenery outside, so don’t trouble yourselves with hosting me.” With that, he leisurely left the room, heading to appreciate the misty rain over the lake.

The two of them remained silent for a moment, quietly observing each other. Duan Heng finally spoke in a low voice, “It’s a bit chilly. Let me take you upstairs.”

Qiao Si was carried back to the room, and shortly after, a servant brought up the wheelchair. Duan Heng helped Qiao Si settle into it and draped a blanket over his legs. “Don’t mind what Qiao Che said.”

Qiao Si gave no response. After a while, he asked wearily, “Can you still manage what you mentioned the other day?”

The young man hesitated briefly before answering, “I can handle it. Don’t worry, Fourth Master.”

“Is that so?”

This time, Duan Heng hesitated more noticeably before admitting, “We can’t make any big moves for now. I’m not sure if Qiao Che has sensed something, but he’s been watching us closely lately.”

“…”

“I wanted to stall him for more time to maneuver, but now that he’s come directly to us, it’s too tricky. If we want to keep him from getting suspicious, we’ll have to give him something to send him on his way.”

Seeing the pale complexion of the man before him, Duan Heng knelt down at his feet.

“You don’t need to worry about this, Fourth Master. I’ll find a way. There has to be a solution, so don’t worry.”

He repeated the reassurance over and over, pressing a kiss to Qiao Si’s forehead, then another between his brows.

“Don’t let it trouble you. Let’s think about happier things. I’ve been thinking that once we leave here, we’ll buy some land in a warm place with water. We won’t have many people around, just enough servants for our needs. If you like company, we can keep some cats, dogs, or birds. But no people, alright?”

“How about a villa in Bali? It has hot springs, beautiful scenery, and complete privacy. You can rest however you like—soak as many times a day as you want. I won’t be filming anymore, so I’ll have plenty of time to spend with you. If you don’t like the local food, I can even practice my cooking skills and make soups for you.”

The young man kissed him again, this time on the lips.

“I’ll take care of you.”

In that kiss, Qiao Si let out something like a sigh. For the first time in so long, he reached out and ran his fingers through the young man’s hair.

“Get up.”

The young man stood, looking slightly puzzled. “Fourth Master…”

But Qiao Si was already wheeling himself toward the door.

He headed for the study. By now, everything in this room must have been searched through a hundred times over—there was nothing left to be surprised about. When Qiao Si retrieved a sandalwood box from a hidden compartment in the wall, the young man beside him showed neither shock nor delight, only silently kept him company.

“You must have taken this out and looked through it before.” Qiao Si indicated for the young man to take it with both hands. “Handle it carefully, don’t damage it. It’s a good thing you didn’t throw anything away here.”

Duan Heng accepted the box, examining the old-fashioned yet genuine jewelry inside. “Is this a gift for me, Fourth Master?”

“Take these chains if you can use them. The craftsmanship is average, but the gold is decent. You could melt them down and make something better,” Qiao Si replied.

The young man smiled. “I won’t melt them down. I’ll keep them as they are.”

Qiao Si rested for a moment before picking up a pen and paper to write a few words. Then, he removed the jade ring from his finger. He had worn it for so long that it took some effort to take off.

“Qiao Bo doesn’t know much, so asking him won’t help. But show him what I’ve written, and he’ll know where to take you and whom to find. When you get there, as long as they see Qiao Bo and my token, they’ll assist you.”

The young man’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Give this box to them. They’ll understand and take you to retrieve the money.”

Duan Heng looked as if he had been caught off guard. His voice trembled slightly with emotion. “Fourth Master.”

Qiao Si, exhausted from the effort, took a moment to catch his breath before saying, “Bring back the money. It will help you deal with Qiao Che.”

Duan Heng didn’t respond further, only pushing him out of the study. In the corridor, someone stood waiting. As they approached, the person clapped his hands and said, “Impressive.”

Qiao Si stopped abruptly and stared at him. The young man behind him also froze—but, unexpectedly, he said nothing.

Qiao Che continued, “What’s the matter, Duan Heng? Didn’t you tell him this place is filled with surveillance cameras?”

Under the light, Duan Heng’s face looked pale. “I’m sorry, Fourth Master.”

“Qiao Bo doesn’t know much, so asking him won’t help. But show him what I’ve written, and he’ll know where to take you and whom to find. When you get there, as long as they see Qiao Bo and my token, they’ll assist you.”

The young man’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Give this box to them. They’ll understand and take you to retrieve the money.”

Duan Heng looked as if he had been caught off guard. His voice trembled slightly with emotion. “Fourth Master.”

Qiao Si, exhausted from the effort, took a moment to catch his breath before saying, “Bring back the money. It will help you deal with Qiao Che.”

Duan Heng didn’t respond further, only pushing him out of the study. In the corridor, someone stood waiting. As they approached, the person clapped his hands and said, “Impressive.”

Qiao Si stopped abruptly and stared at him. The young man behind him also froze—but, unexpectedly, he said nothing.

Qiao Che continued, “What’s the matter, Duan Heng? Didn’t you tell him this place is filled with surveillance cameras?”

Under the light, Duan Heng’s face looked pale. “I’m sorry, Fourth Master.”