Chapter 36: The Cruise Banquet — “I am younger and more excellent than you”
“I don’t know him,” Shen Yunqian said.
Lu Xunye pressed, “You don’t remember him at all?”
Shen Yunqian pursed his lips, his color somewhat pale.
He raised a hand to touch the bloody scratch on his face; a stinging pain spread with just a light touch of his fingertips.
The blush that had risen on his cheeks due to Lu Xunye’s teasing faded. He turned his head to meet Lu Xunye’s gaze.
The next second, he took a distant step back, putting space between them. “Since you suspect me, does my answer… still matter?”
Lu Xunye’s eyelid twitched, and he hurriedly tried to salvage the situation. “It matters, of course it matters.”
“I’m not suspecting you, it’s just…” Lu Xunye sighed halfway through, speaking half-truths, “You saw it just now. You two have a deep history.”
“If I said I snatched you away from him,” he paused, his voice bitter, “would you blame me when you remember everything in the future?”
Shen Yunqian frowned, finding himself in the position of comforting the other. “Don’t worry, I don’t look upon him favorably.”
This was unexpected. Lu Xunye’s flawless mask of infatuation nearly cracked.
He laughed it off. “Then do you look upon me favorably?”
“No,” Shen Yunqian looked him up and down, the corners of his mouth quirking up inexplicably. “After all, our IQs don’t match.”
“…”
Ever since the Shen family went bankrupt and their assets were mortgaged, where did Shen Yunqian get the money to buy this villa?
Although everyone said this villa was ominous, buying it must have cost a fortune. Is making art that profitable?
Lu Xunye asked, “Why did you suddenly think of buying a villa?”
Shen Yunqian replied breezily, “Given by someone named Su Zhuo.”
Lu Xunye was dumbfounded. “You took it just because he gave it to you? What if he’s not a good person and has ulterior motives?”
Shen Yunqian: “He said he knew you too, and wanted to be a good person to the end.”
Lu Xunye pondered: It seems I did say something like that, but that’s no excuse!
Shen Yunqian asked in return, “If it were given to you, would you not take it?”
Lu Xunye was choked into silence.
The exit on the other side of the basement led to the villa’s rear garden.
The front yard was overgrown with weeds. The back yard, though also filled with withered grass, had a plum blossom tree in the center. The specks of red plum blossoms added a few touches of color to the monotonous yard.
This area was backlit; traces of the snow that had fallen a few days ago could still be seen hidden in the grass.
A cold wind brushed past their faces.
“If I remember correctly,” Lu Xunye looked up at the sky, then at a cluster of pink beside the plum tree, “it’s not the start of spring yet, is it?”
Shen Yunqian: “Those are moth orchids.”
Lu Xunye: “Orchids?”
Ding.
【Congratulations Host, you have unlocked the hidden plot: The Resting Place of the Butterfly’s Tears.】
“…”
To be honest, Lu Xunye wasn’t very happy. Just how many hidden plots does this broken world have!
He let out a breath and walked under the plum tree, bending down to look at the pink moth orchids beneath it.
True to their name, the half-bloomed flowers looked like rows of butterflies perched on green stems, ready to take flight.
However, a few plants hidden in the middle were black, with only the flower centers being deep purple, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding pale pinks.
He touched a flower with his hand. A crystal-clear water droplet hanging from the edge of the petal dripped onto the ground and vanished into the soil.
Lu Xunye stared blankly at the spot on the back of his hand where the droplet had hit—it was bone-chillingly cold.
Butterfly’s tears?
He fell silent for a moment, then brushed the plant next to it. Just like before, the branch shook, and a water droplet slid from the flower into the soil.
Resting place… dust?
Shen Yunqian approached. “What are you looking at?”
The voice came from above.
Lu Xunye suddenly realized something. He lifted his hand from the damp soil, rubbed his fingertips together twice, and wiped the dirt onto the exposed roots of the plum tree.
He stood up abruptly. “Is there a trowel?”
Seeing his excitement, Shen Yunqian hesitated to speak, then pointed behind them. “There’s one in the basement we just came from.”
…
Lu Xunye dug the flower out by the roots, piling it to the side. He shoveled the excess soil away and soon dug a pit half a meter deep.
But there was nothing.
Shen Yunqian stood aside, lowering his eyes to watch the person squatting and vigorously destroying his “freshly baked” back garden, his back rising and falling with the effort.
Lu Xunye frowned, pushed the soil back into the pit, replanted the flower, and leveled the earth. “…Did I understand it wrong?”
Shen Yunqian: “What are you looking for?”
Looking for?
Right, it’s a plot point, not an item.
Why was my first reaction to dig a hole?
Like a dog. Ptui!
Lu Xunye sighed. “Just assume I was loosening the soil for the flowers.”
Before he could stand up, Shen Yunqian spoke. “Dig out those two black moth orchids on the right for me.”
Lu Xunye looked up, meeting his downward gaze. “You think they look good?”
Shen Yunqian pondered for a moment. “They’re very special.”
After the flowers were dug out, something bone-like attached to the roots was brought out with the soil.
It looked like a turtle shell. After shaking off the dirt, the bone appeared greenish-yellow, with traces of being gnawed by insects and ants. A yellow talisman paper was pasted in the hollowed depression.
After peeling off the talisman paper, two crooked, T-shaped sutures on the bone became clear.
A skull cap…
The bone slipped from Lu Xunye’s hand and fell back into the dirt pit. “…”
In an instant, the wind howled past. The remaining sunlight was obscured by clouds. The yellow talisman was blown up and drifted onto the black moth orchids.
The flowers swayed with the wind, and just as if coming to life, every flower turned into a butterfly and flew down.
Lu Xunye’s heart rose higher and higher, unable to settle. “Shen, Shen Yunqian?”
He turned his head back quickly, but the spot where someone had been just a moment ago was empty.
A drawn-out, eerie, and desolate voice echoed by his ear.
“Do—you—have—anything—you’re—hiding—from—me? ————”
Lu Xunye’s shoulders trembled slightly. He turned his head back stiffly, reached out one hand to pinch the prankster’s jaw, squeezing his lips into a pout.
He squeezed out an emotionless smile. “Learning to play ghost now, are we?”
His composed demeanor showed not a trace of fear.
Shen Yunqian slapped away the hand that had just been digging in the dirt. “Dirty.”
“Heh.” Lu Xunye smiled at him.
After this prank, Lu Xunye completely dispelled his suspicions about Shen Yunqian.
He pinched a bit of dirt from the ground and smeared it onto the youth’s fair, clean face. “Deserved it.”
Shen Yunqian wiped his face. “You’re so childish.”
“Who’s the childish one?” Lu Xunye laughed angrily. “I didn’t know you had the skill to make false countercharges too?”
Shen Yunqian: “How do you know there are no ghosts in this world? What if?”
Lu Xunye stood up, patted the dust off his body, picked up the flowers, and looked at the skull cap with a serious expression.
“If it’s a ghost seeking revenge: one, I don’t burn, kill, or loot; two, I don’t murder for money. He has no business with me. If it’s not a vengeful ghost, then the Ghost Messengers are too derelict in their duties, letting wandering souls roam the mortal world?”
…
“Young Master, we’ll escort you back.”
The bodyguards at the door came forward. Lu Xunye waved his hand. “No need.”
He glanced back at the villa. Shen Yunqian had forgotten something and went back to get it.
“I’ll go back with my friend in a bit.”
“Then we’ll hand these over to you.” The bodyguard didn’t persist, extending his hand to pass two items to him.
Lu Xunye took the bracelet he had won at the auction and looked at the other item. The other party explained proactively, “This is the invitation to Elder Wen’s 70th birthday banquet. It will be held tomorrow evening on a cruise ship in Jiang City.”
“The Wen family has invited many wealthy families and celebrities to offer congratulations this time.”
Hearing this, Lu Xunye took the invitation, opened it, and found it was indeed so.
“The Family Head asked me to tell Young Master that the Second Master will also be present.”
Lu Xunye: “The Wen family that Second Uncle is intermarrying with?”
Receiving an affirmative answer, Lu Xunye was about to speak when the other party cut in.
“The Family Head said you just need to show up; the birthday gift will naturally be sent by someone else.”
Lu Xunye: “…Understood.”
“In addition, the Family Head instructed that Young Master must wear this bracelet on your person.”
“Hehe.” Lu Xunye gave a fake smile. “Thank the old man for the greeting gift for me when you get back. No need to send one next time.”
Jiang City
The Banquet
Lu Xunye stood alone on the deck, letting the sea breeze blow against him, looking out of place compared to the crowd in the banquet hall who were exchanging pleasantries and chatting happily.
He really couldn’t handle this kind of scene. Although he didn’t know why Old Man Lu made him come, he hadn’t broken the appointment. Now, he was just waiting for the plot to develop.
It was dozens of meters from the railing to the sea surface. He wondered if one could survive jumping from here.
“Not happy?”
A glass of champagne appeared in front of him. Lu Xunye snapped back to reality and looked at the newcomer.
The man had a calm expression. A well-tailored suit wrapped around his muscular lines, making him look even more upright and tall. The V-neck lapel revealed the collar of a white shirt inside.
A snake bone chain fitted against his neck and collarbone, half-hidden inside the shirt, appearing indistinctly, giving him an image of uninhibited elegance.
“Haven’t seen you in a few years, and you don’t even know how to greet people anymore?” The man swirled his wine glass carelessly, resting his arms on the railing.
Lu Xunye stepped down from the elevated platform. “Second Uncle, be careful not to fall. I don’t want to be the primary suspect.”
Lu Yan turned around with a smile that wasn’t a smile, stepping down from the platform and placing his wine glass on the table. “Stopped pretending?”
Lu Xunye sat opposite him, crossing his legs lazily. “Likewise. Wasn’t it Second Uncle who started pretending first?”
“Sharp-tongued.” Lu Yan’s cold gaze fell on him. “Was it this mouth you used to coax that old man into giving you the inheritance rights?”
“I wondered what it was about.” Lu Xunye spread his hands. “What can be done about that? Who asked me to be younger and more excellent than Second Uncle!”
Murderous intent filled Lu Yan’s eyes as he stared at Lu Xunye with a gaze reserved for the dead.
After a long while, he suddenly laughed aloud. “Using reverse psychology on me? My good nephew, there’s no one here to watch your act. Don’t tell me you have a recording pen in your pocket? You won’t get any words out of me here.”
Lu Xunye looked innocent. “How could that be? Wouldn’t it be too stupid to use the same trick you used on me four years ago?”
“Don’t believe me?” Seeing Lu Yan’s suspicious look, he immediately patted his empty, flat pockets. “Or does Second Uncle want me to strip?”
He pulled his collar tight. “That won’t do. Second Uncle is old and ugly; I’m afraid I’ll vomit.”
Due to excessive force, the stem of the glass snapped in Lu Yan’s hand. “You think that old man values you and treats you sincerely?”
He unfolded a napkin to wipe his hands. “To tell you the truth, he knew about everything I did to deal with you before. He knew of your existence twenty years ago. Guess why he didn’t bring you back to the Lu family?”
It seemed Lu Xunye was truly not the biological son of the Lu family’s eldest son, yet had some inextricable connection with Lu Feng. Lu Xunye was indeed curious.
But Lu Yan was unwilling to say more. “When you have no utilization value to him, do you think you’ll be kicked away just like three years ago?”
“Then I won’t trouble Second Uncle to worry about it,” Lu Xunye paused. “After all, seeing Second Uncle looking like a coward who wants to beat me but has too many scruples is quite satisfying.”
Just as Lu Yan was about to explode, someone arrived. “Why are you two here? The banquet has started, let’s go in.”
A woman with a gentle temperament walked up to Lu Yan and whispered, “Grandpa is looking for you.”
She turned her head. “You must be the Little Young Master of the Lu family. Truly handsome and dashing.”
Lu Xunye was modest. “Not at all, not at all. Miss Wen should look at my Second Uncle; he seems a bit jealous.”
Banquet Hall
“Why are you here?”
Lu Xunye turned to see Qin Zhuoyu looking at him with an unkind expression. Beside him, a noble-looking man was exchanging toasts with others.
“Naturally to see which man Young Master Qin is going to forcibly kiss on the street again,” Lu Xunye retorted unceremoniously.
“What nonsense are you talking about!” A flash of guilt crossed Qin Zhuoyu’s face. He quickly tried to toughen up, but soon lost his bravado as he was pulled away by the person next to him.
Lu Xunye scoffed lightly. Turning his head, he saw a bright and beautiful woman walking past his eyes. He immediately turned his head back.
Damn, isn’t that the cross-dressing “Goddess”?!
“Xunye.”
Lu Yan popped out from somewhere and called him, successfully making the “woman” stop not far from him.
There was surprise, guilt, and jealousy in “her” eyes, which finally turned into triumph. “You are Lu Xunye?”
“…” Lu Xunye prepared to play blind, but Lu Yan wouldn’t let him have his way, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “The young lady is calling you. You are the next successor of my Lu family; you can’t be so rude.”
Lu Xunye elbowed him, lowering his voice. “Are you sick! Get lost.”
“You must be my nephew’s sweetheart. He often mentions you to me. Meeting you today, you are indeed extraordinary.”
Lu Yan acted hypocritically, gritting his teeth while keeping Lu Xunye firmly imprisoned. “I’m helping you chase someone here. Don’t you like her?”
“Xunye, you are the Lu family’s heir?” The woman’s face flashed with shyness. “How come I never heard you mention it?”
“After all, a noble person like you is busy and forgetful. You stopped responding after receiving the transfer.” Lu Xunye mocked, “What, ran out of money?”
Lu Yan smiled apologetically at the woman. “Sorry, he’s in a bad mood today. Perhaps because you haven’t contacted him actively these past few days, Miss, he’s a bit unhappy.”
“Since there’s a misunderstanding between you two, why not have a drink and talk it over? Everything will be fine.”
A waiter opportunely walked over with a tray holding two glasses of red wine.
The embarrassment on the “woman’s” face faded. Ambition and determination flashed in “her” eyes as “she” looked at Lu Xunye. Picking up a wine glass, “she” twisted “her” graceful figure towards Lu Xunye.
Lu Xunye said in a low voice, “Are you that sure I won’t resist?”
“Think carefully about whose territory this is. A dark night, high winds, rough waves. The Lu family heir gets drunk and molests a popular female star, accidentally falling into the sea and dying. How do you think this news headline sounds?”
“As long as you drink the wine, I’ll let you go. How about it?” Lu Yan let go and pushed him forward. “I’m creating an opportunity for you, my ‘good nephew’.”
The tray was handed to him. Lu Xunye picked up the wine glass. The woman immediately leaned in close. “A-Xun, I didn’t ignore you on purpose. I was filming in the mountains recently; there was no signal.”
“Of course I love you.” She raised her hand to touch Lu Xunye’s chest, but Lu Xunye grabbed her wrist.
Lu Xunye held back the urge to rip off “her” wig. “This silicone chest is quite realistic today.”
He whispered words that made one’s blood run cold. “Since you’re cross-dressing, I assume the thing you kept down there won’t be of much use.”
“How about I have someone help you cut it off?”
Author’s Note: Been too busy these past few days [Melted]. Got my period today, so painful. Why does dysmenorrhea exist ahhhhhhh [Melted]. Opened another pre-order, begging for bookmarks if you like it [Kiss kiss] [Sunglasses].
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