Chapter 37: I’ll take you somewhere fun

Xu Lin cared about his teacher far more than he cared about himself. He could stay optimistic and indifferent even after being disfigured, but he would fight anyone who insulted his teacher. If something happened to those people in District Thirteen…

Ji Wang knew exactly how to control Ji Jixuan. He had known since childhood, and he still did.

“Jinxuan, you see, you’re wrong here.” Ji Wang was confident. “Even if a bird’s wings are strong, I can still break them and throw it back in its cage.”

Ji Wang stood up, stepping over the scattered photos on the floor. The tip of his shoe pressed down on Pu Sha’s face in the photo. “If you behave, I promise these little cockroaches can keep living on that damp patch of land. But if you try to do anything foolish and I find out,” he looked at Ji Jixuan, his eyes full of amusement, “don’t blame me for wiping them out completely.”

“Killing once and surviving is luck. The second time, you won’t be so fortunate.”

He brushed past Ji Jixuan’s shoulder as he walked out. “Their lives are in your hands. You decide what to do.”

After a few steps, he turned back. “Oh, and remember to give my regards to your Beta. His name is… Xu Lin, isn’t it?”

The moment Xu Lin’s name left Ji Wang’s mouth, the air around them seemed to drop several degrees. Ji Wang calmly observed the change in Ji Jixuan’s expression—watching his grandson, who had rarely shown emotion since childhood, unable to suppress his resentment and cold fury over an outsider. Ji Wang smiled and shook his head.

“Thinking you could take me down with a few little tricks—how naive of you. You underestimate me.”

Having regained the upper hand, Ji Wang left, thoroughly satisfied.

Ji Jixuan stood still. The butler, who had come up at some point and saw the mess on the floor, considered cleaning up but saw Ji Jixuan’s expression and quietly retreated.

Outside, the sun was bright, but the study was dark and silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The photos on the floor captured every corner of District Thirteen. Ji Wang had investigated Xu Lin thoroughly, even going so far as to send people into District Thirteen. Judging by the number, there were likely many of his informants there now. Ji Jixuan would need time to find out who they were, how many there were, where they were, what identities they were using, and when they reported to Ji Wang.

Without absolute certainty, he couldn’t act rashly. He couldn’t risk it. If he startled the snakes and some slipped through, they’d report back to Ji Wang. Ji Wang was capable of anything—he had already proven that.

When he failed to kill the Beta who had gotten in Ji Hongyun’s way, and discovered he was still alive, Ji Wang must have been seething with hatred, eager to finish him off.

Ji Wang was right about one thing: people disappearing in District Thirteen was as simple as crushing a few ants.

Ji Jixuan picked up the photo that Ji Wang had stepped on.

“My teacher is a very important person to me.”

Xu Lin’s words from before echoed in his ears. Ji Jixuan clenched the photo tightly.

He couldn’t tell Xu Lin. About any of it. It would only cause more trouble. He would hide it for now. Once he handled everything…

He would handle it.

Xu Lin wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but Ji Jixuan seemed preoccupied lately. He was leaving more often, and even when he was home, he spent most of his time in the study, taking one call after another. He had become very busy. It felt like they had returned to the way things were at the beginning of their marriage.

Though they weren’t as clingy anymore, at least Ji Jixuan was still home, and Xu Lin didn’t mind. Not until the fourth year, just after the Lunar New Year, when Ji Jixuan suddenly said he had to go on a long trip.

They had just spent their second New Year together. Before Xu Lin could even fully savor the joy of it, this news hit him like a sudden storm capsizing a small boat on a calm lake.

Xu Lin was quiet for a moment, then asked, “How long will you be gone?”

“I’m not sure,” Ji Jixuan said. “I’ll try to come back as soon as I can.”

Xu Lin knew Ji Jixuan was busy and wouldn’t always be home. He had no reason to make a scene and demand he stay—that would be unreasonable. So he just nodded. “Got it.” He paused, then asked, “Where are you going?”

Ji Jixuan fell silent, as if it wasn’t easy to answer.

Xu Lin didn’t press further. “Come back soon.”

“Okay.”

Before leaving, Ji Jixuan placed his ring in the box. Xu Lin had been quiet since hearing he was leaving. He followed him to the door, watching silently as he took off his ring and placed it in the box.

“While I’m gone, don’t wander around.”

He handed Xu Lin a business card. “Contact Xiao Jin if you need anything.”

“Okay.” Xu Lin took the card, his mood low.

Ji Jixuan looked at him for a moment, then pulled him into a tight embrace, kissing his forehead. “I’m going now.”

He left.

Xu Lin thought the trip would last at most a few months. But Ji Jixuan ended up being gone for over a year.

Once you’ve tasted sweetness, you can’t stomach bitterness anymore. Xu Lin gradually couldn’t get used to being alone in the house. Everywhere was cold and empty, and he felt like he was being swallowed by the silence no matter where he went.

At least Shuangshuang still contacted him occasionally, and they would ride together in the mountains. She brought tools, and Xu Lin fixed her bike. But she had lost interest in it and didn’t want to ride it anymore. She seemed well-off, able to discard things she didn’t like. Xu Lin couldn’t bear to throw away such a good bike, but he didn’t dare bring it home, so he left it in the woods.

Sometimes Shuangshuang would take him out to eat. With Ji Jixuan gone, Xu Lin had nothing better to do. Over time, he grew bolder, following her around more often. Their friendship deepened.

He really needed something to occupy his time.

One day, she took him to a French restaurant. They chatted and laughed in a private room when she suddenly pointed to her eye and asked, “How did you get that scar on your face?”

Xu Lin didn’t go into details. “Just an accident.”

“Maybe I can find a doctor for you. I have a private one.”

Xu Lin smiled and declined. “No need. I already have a doctor helping me.”

Shuangshuang blew bubbles through her straw, the drink in her cup fizzing. She stared at him. “Are you unhappy?”

Xu Lin blinked. “What makes you say that?”

“I just have that feeling.” She rested her chin on her hands. “You seem unhappy.”

“I’m not unhappy.”

“You’re different from before. You come out whenever I ask now, you don’t refuse me as much. And before, you’d always rush to leave soon after we went out. Now you don’t mention going back.”

“…Do I?” Xu Lin smiled, changing the subject. “The outside is pretty fun, isn’t it?”

Shuangshuang’s gaze lingered on Xu Lin’s left hand. She had noticed it the first time she saw the ring—it was a women’s design. Who would wear an ill-fitting ring after getting married? Did Xu Lin just like that style? Or was there something between him and his partner?

She stirred her drink, ice clinking against the glass.

“Xu Lin,” she asked, “how long have you been married?”

Xu Lin paused, calculating. “Over five years now. Almost six.”

He seemed a bit dazed as he said it. It had been that long.

“How’s your relationship with your partner?”

She seemed curious about his marriage all of a sudden. “You work at that mountain all the time. Does your partner live there too?” She explained, “If not, you’re in a long-distance relationship. It’s hard to keep a relationship going long-distance.”

“He and I…” Xu Lin pressed his lips together, then smiled. “We’re good.”

Shuangshuang didn’t say anything to that. She looked down, kicking her feet, lost in thought. Then she perked up again. “Forget it. Let’s not talk about that.” She grinned. “I’ll take you somewhere fun soon!”

“Where?”

“My brother’s best friend is getting engaged. The date isn’t set yet, but I heard the engagement party will be huge. I’ll sneak you in for some free food and drinks. Might as well.”

Xu Lin hesitated. “Is that okay? Maybe I shouldn’t…”

“Of course it’s okay! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. It’s settled!” Shuangshuang was decisive, not letting him refuse. Xu Lin gave in.

“Alright.”

Back at the villa, the warmth he’d felt faded at the sight of the ring box by the entrance. He walked over and touched the ring inside. He took it out and held it in his palm—it was cold, no trace of Ji Jixuan’s warmth left.

The messages he sent every day had long gone unanswered. He hadn’t heard a single word from Ji Jixuan.

It’s hard to keep a relationship going long-distance.

He knew that better than anyone.

At the Zong family estate.

“Where have you been?”

Shuangshuang was caught by Zong Xi as soon as she walked in.

She tossed her hair. “What do you mean? I was out with a friend.”

“Don’t give me that. What about the R6 in the garage? When did you take it out?”

“…”

Seeing her guilty look, Zong Xi was furious and reached to grab her ear. “How many times have I told you? You still sneak out on it?”

She dodged his hand. “Alright, alright! I’m fine! Why can you ride but I can’t? Don’t look down on me.”

“Where’s the bike?”

“…Broken.”

“And?”

She said defiantly, “I threw it away.”

“…”

“Zong Ningshuang! That was my birthday gift!”

“You have so many birthday gifts! And you took my antique pocket watch—when are you giving it back?”

As they bickered, someone stepped out from a nearby room. Zong Ning-shuang immediately hid behind her brother, muttering, “What’s he doing here?”

Ji Jixuan didn’t even glance at her, walking straight out.

Zong Xi called after him. “Leaving already?”

“Yeah. Heading back.”

After he left, Zong Ning-shuang emerged from behind her brother. “Why was he here? Didn’t you say he went to the Linghai Military District?”

“He just got back.”

“What was he doing there?”

Zong Xi jabbed her forehead. “Don’t ask. It’s not something you need to know.”

She had never liked Ji Jixuan—she found him cold and unfriendly. But her brother was his best friend, so she couldn’t say much.

Xu Lin was much nicer, she thought.

Ji Jixuan’s car drove to the foot of the mountain. An Alpha got out of a black sedan parked nearby and jogged to Ji Jixuan’s car. The window lowered halfway. The Alpha reported, “No suspicious movements in or out.”

Ji Jixuan nodded. The black iron gate opened, and the red taillights quickly disappeared into the night.

Xu Lin suddenly woke from a dream, startled to see a figure sitting by the bed. He sat up and turned on the lamp. The dim light illuminated the person’s face, and he froze.

Ji Jixuan was just looking at him, not saying a word. Xu Lin didn’t know how long he’d been there.

He reached out and touched Ji Jixuan’s cheek—warm, familiar. Ji Jixuan caught his wrist and gently pulled him into his arms.

Xu Lin couldn’t speak. He wrapped his arms around Ji Jixuan’s waist, holding him tightly.

The calendar on the nightstand was covered in red X’s. Ji Jixuan reached out and turned it face down. His breath brushed past Xu Lin’s ear.

“I’m back, Xu Lin.”