CH 26.1

After the dangerous island adventure, Xiao Zhenyun resumed his retired life once again. He lounged in bed, indulging in food, watching movies, and playing games every day. Apart from occasionally putting on a facade to handle video calls and short messages, the unavoidable social interactions of a working stiff, everything was quite comfortable.

Since the day he awakened Si Di from his pseudo-eternal sleep, the male protagonist, Si Chu, practically lived in his sickroom. It was as if he’d taken root there, more diligent than visiting his own brother. He waited on him hand and foot from morning till night, serving tea, massaging shoulders, and kneading legs. If Xiao Zhenyun got tired and decided to rest, Si Chu didn’t make a fuss. He obediently went to play with Tian Lu.

Administrator Xiao Nian’s impression of Si Chu was quite positive—reliable, well-behaved, like a loyal dog. It was unlike a certain supporting character who had crossed over, smoking, drinking, and causing trouble left and right, only lacking a spiky haircut to complete the image.

On the other hand, Tian Lu had always been particularly fond of spiritual forms, acting all proud. The more you pursue it, the more it flaunts itself. If Si Chu touched and petted it too much, it would start ignoring him. But it had a decent attitude towards the wolfdog, willing to approach and sniff. However, unexpectedly, the usually bootlicking wolfdog seemed to have taken some unusual medicine. It not only showed no interest in Tian Lu’s advances but also retreated warily and even growled lowly, warning the stag not to come near.

This infuriated the stag, which went ‘ye-ye’ and went to complain to Xiao Zhenyun. Seeing his owner lying weak and half-paralyzed in bed, struggling even to drink water, he didn’t seem like someone capable of confronting the wolfdog. So, he decided to assert justice for himself, lowering his head and showing the pointed horns on his head, then angrily charging towards the wolfdog.

Xiao Zhenyun and Si Chu retracted their spiritual forms simultaneously.

Si Chu looked somewhat embarrassed as he glanced at Xiao Zhenyun, unsure how to explain his spiritual form’s unusual behavior. But Xiao Zhenyun seemed completely unaware of any problem, leisurely eating half an apple slice before suddenly asking, “Xiao Chu, how’s your brother been lately?”

“Ah, my brother… his physical injuries have healed for the most part, but his spiritual powers are still unstable. He’s been wearing a restraint collar, can’t tolerate any sensory stimuli, and the doctors won’t let him move around freely. Even our visitation time is controlled.” Si Chu slowly approached the bedside, his eyes showing a hint of guilt. Dogs weren’t good at pretending or lying. “Yesterday morning, he fell into a second pseudo-eternal sleep, coincidentally when the head physician was making rounds. They immediately pulled him out. The doctor said that the first eternal sleep was more dangerous, as long as they could pull him out, it would be simpler afterward… Plus, the new psychic medication for treatment seems to be working well…”

“Hmm.” Xiao Zhenyun nodded. “If there’s any need in the future, just let me know.”

“Okay, okay.” Si Chu carefully observed Xiao Zhenyun’s expression. Seeing that he remained calm, his anxiety grew. He remembered a few days ago when his father had asked in an almost roaring tone and presented clear evidence in black and white. 

The man who was indirectly killed by Xiao Zhenyun had an unknown identity, presumably an illegal immigrant, sold into the underground Peach Blossom BDSM Club given a name Garry, with beautiful amber almond-shaped eyes.

When his father first mentioned Xiao Zhenyun’s fetish for BDSM, Si Di was shocked, but his emotions quickly settled. It was as if he had known all along, and the real surprise was that his father knew about it. 

Si Chu’s primary reaction was to fiercely deny it was possible. However, shortly after, he recalled a conversation with a rarely-contacted elementary school classmate who had joked about seeing his little uncle at his workplace. The classmate had hinted that he worked in an unconventional place, but Si Chu hadn’t taken it seriously, thinking his ascetic-looking little uncle couldn’t possibly be indulging in such excesses. Now, he realized that place might very well have been the infamous Peach Blossom Club.

After Si Qiaorong took out Xiao Zhenyun’s hotel records, transaction receipts, and recorded conversations with the club contacts, Si Chu could no longer deny the dark truth about his seemingly divine little uncle, who was privately a sadistic addict, treating human lives as nothing more than weeds.

The recording was a follow-up call to the customer, inquiring about their satisfaction with Garry’s service. They offered free follow-up training services if the customer needed them. On the other end, Xiao Zhenyun casually replied, “Oh, him? He’s not in great shape, and it’s not much fun playing with him. I was afraid he’d kick the bucket at home, so I drived him away the next day… It seems he didn’t last a week… Next time I visit, introduce me to some sturdier and more enduring ones, okay? Don’t want them to give out so soon.”

The voice was still that familiar tone, rich and smooth like a spring breeze, but the words spoken were terribly unfamiliar and harsh.

Si Di had been tightly pressing his lips, suppressing the anger of being deceived. He asked when all of this had happened, and Si Qiaorong immediately provided an accurate time, just the day after the Si family’s banquet about three months ago.

Amidst the chaotic thoughts, he faintly felt that Xiao Zhenyun’s words didn’t quite fit behavioral logic: Why mention that the person didn’t last a week on purpose?… Adding bricks to his future prison sentence?… Or was Xiao Zhenyun showing off, taking pride in being able to play someone to death? Si Di tasted the metallic trace of blood in his mouth and realized he had unconsciously bitten his lip.

Unlike Xiao Jingfeng, who had always stayed within the Guild and dealt with matters among the small group of specialists, Si Qiaorong’s power was in the business world, dealing with ordinary people with larger stakes. In some aspects, his knowledge of information far exceeded Xiao Jingfeng. The owner behind the Peach Blossom Club had financial dealings with him. He had asked him to inform him about Xiao Zhenyun’s affairs. It was not to provoke or threaten, but to suggest that the vice chairman was not thorough enough in his work. 

Si Qiaorong had basic morals but wasn’t an unbending moralist. He couldn’t bring himself to do something as extreme as turning on his own family, especially considering Xiao Zhenyun was his younger brother, and he had a difficult childhood. He turned a blind eye to some of his brother’s activities that skirted the edge of the law.

But the premise was that these sordid things shouldn’t touch his closer family.

After learning about Xiao Zhenyun’s last visit to the club, Si Di fell silent. He had once taunted Xiao Zhenyun, asking if he had gone back and distanced himself from the MP Research Institute after being scared by his own empty gun. Was he really scared? The next day, he went to the club happily, played with men for three hours, and still wanted to take them home to continue playing.

Si Di looked up again at the suspended screen displaying the victim, Garry’s, photo. The round amber pupils mocked his gullibility. Si Di closed his eyes in disgust, and behind his head, his aggressive aircraft-like ears flattened. Si Qiaorong wanted to say something while the iron was hot, but Si’s mother immediately tapped him, indicating not to further agitate their son. She quickly walked over, lowered the hospital bed for Si Di, tucked him in, and softly advised him not to overthink it and rest well.

In the evening, Si Chu found Ye Feiran, who was staying in the same hotel. He didn’t directly mention Xiao Zhenyun’s ugly deeds, only vaguely suggesting that it seemed that his little uncle wasn’t as flawless as he had imagined.

At this moment, Ye Feiran was at the peak of his good feelings towards Xiao Zhenyun. He strangely replied, “No one is perfect, right? Chairman Xiao has both strengths and weaknesses… What do you know?”

“I… Well, it’s not a good thing…”

Ye Feiran glanced at Si Chu’s expression and felt that the severity of the situation had far exceeded ‘not a good thing.’ He directly steered towards the direction of lawless maniacs. He couldn’t help but speak up for Xiao Zhenyun, “Are you sure? Could it be a misunderstanding… Do you want to go and personally verify it with Chairman Xiao?”

How would he verify it? Run up to Xiao Zhenyun and ask, ‘Hey, little uncle, I heard you can’t get it up, so you have a psychological problem, and you like to use sex dolls to play with young men?’ Although he silently mocked this idea, on the second day, Si Ch’s feet moved uncontrollably towards Xiao Zhenyun’s hospital room. He observed closely for several days, but he really couldn’t see anything.

When they went out for some fresh air in the morning or evening, many doctors, patients, or family members would approach them. Among them were quite a few young, lively men who seemed to share Garry’s style, and a few of them were practically trying to slip a condom right then and there. Si Chu took the opportunity to play it cool, pretending to leave and sneakily peeping from a distance. But regardless of his presence, Xiao Zhenyun remained indifferent to all the flirtations, not even batting an eye.

He then thought that since Xiao Zhenyun had such an unusual attitude, there might be more to his intention in adopting Xiao Nian. Perhaps he planned to unleash his ‘beastly nature’ on his adopted son. Using the excuse of giving his younger brother a bath, he had an open and honest conversation with Xiao Nian. The result was that this seemingly mature young boy was spotlessly clean, with skin as smooth as a piece of sheep’s fat.

In contrast, he was covered in wounds from training and missions. If anyone was being mistreated, it was more likely him than Xiao Nian.

With these thoughts in mind, Si Chu sighed with a mix of concern and frustration as he sat on Xiao Zhenyun’s bed and said, “Little uncle, your health is quite fragile. You should take better care of yourself and prioritize your well-being.”

Xiao Zhenyun was about to respond with a smile when a video call interrupted him. The caller’s name was ‘Familiar Doctor.’

He couldn’t figure out who this ‘Familiar Doctor’ was.

Si Chu politely took a few steps back, and seeing that Xiao Zhenyun didn’t suggest he leave the room, he simply retreated to the wall.

Once the video call connected, an unfamiliar face appeared on the floating screen. Xiao Zhenyun remained expressionless, while the ‘Familiar Doctor’ excitedly yelled, “Congratulations, Mr. Xiao, congratulations!”

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