At that time, Marius had barely come to age.

He was only an eighteen years old teenager, yet on the very same day, he gained the reputation as a fearsome devil and directly inherited the position of leader from his deceased father, conquering all of the members of his clan who doubted his capability.

Then one day, he suddenly disappeared and when people started to think that he had been murdered somewhere unknown, he returned a few days later with a one year old baby, whose blue eyes were identical to him, in tow.

There was no mistaking the baby’s identity – he was the last illegitimate child of the former leader who had not fallen victim to Marius’ ruthless bullet yet. But contrary to everyone’s expectation, Marius did not kill the baby. Instead, he raised the baby himself, doted on him, cherished him, protected him and even intended to make him his successor.

(Actually, He Juan suspected that Marius was the very same person who had killed his own father, but because he had no evidence at all, he could only turn a blind eye and pretend he knew nothing. But this also consolidated his decision to never make Marius his enemy.)

"Playmate?" He Juan snorted. "I’m sorry, but I will have to say no. He is an innocent child, M. I won’t allow anyone to drag him into our world, not even myself."

Marius let out a helpless sigh when he heard this. "You’re going to protect him just like you did to your brother, aren’t you? But when will you realize that it’s a foolish dream, XIU? You can protect him today, but what if you die tomorrow? He will lose the roof and house that has been shielding him. What will become of him then?"

This was not the first time this kind of conversation happened between them, nor was it the second or third time. Everytime the topic about their brother was brought up, Marius would always advise him to change his mind. He did not agree with He Juan’s way of protecting, saying how he would only create a dull knife who could not even cut through paper.

But He Juan had never intended to make anyone into a knife.

For him, they were flowers... and he was going to be the sunlight and rain who nourished them, to make them bloom into full splendor.

And until that day came... he would not die. He could not. Even if he had to crawl his way up from the depth of Hell, he was going to cling to the last breath in this body and live on. Perhaps it was indeed a foolish dream, perhaps it was only him being uselessly stubborn, but He Juan had already come to a decision.

After all, wasn’t this the very reason why he threw away his real name and started to don this mask called XIU?

Smiling, He Juan took the cup of tea poured by Marius into his left hand and said airily, "Then I only have to live until the end, M. Enough about me. How is Sirius doing?"

Knowing that he had failed yet again to persuade He Juan to change his mind, Marius shook his head exasperatedly and could only shelve the topic for the time being. "Sirius? Just as bratty as ever." He kneaded his aching temple, though his eyes were gentle and doting. "A few days ago, he ran away from his lesson and no one could find him. That child is getting more and more mischievous."

He Juan threw his head back and laughed in mirth, "That’s the proof that his skill is improving rapidly. Isn’t that what you want to achieve, M?"

"You’re right," he admitted with a sigh. "Just wait until I return home. I will teach him a lesson then."

They talked aimlessly just like two old friends catching up with each other, and it was not until the sky was getting dark that Marius asked, "So, what do you want to ask me? A question that makes XIU come all the way here must not be simple, huh?"

Their tea had long gone cold, yet He Juan still played with the cup and watched as his reflection rippled on the clear brownish surface. He lowered his lashes and started to speak, "Yesterday, I received news from my men that they caught sight of Blue Lotus in a bar in Shunan City. However, when I arrived, Blue Lotus’ men were already murdered and someone set up a bomb to destroy the bodies. In the end, two of my people got caught in it and died." He Juan gestured to himself and said in a jest, "I, too, almost couldn’t get away, you know?"

Marius grimaced in sympathy and commented, "So that’s why you looked a lot less handsome today."

He Juan gave him a look that was half reproachful and half amused, then continued to say, "The death of Blue Lotus’ men is not the thing that bothers me the most, but... it’s the way they died."

"The way they died?"

He Juan nodded and described the state of the corpses in a few concise sentences. "...And when I stepped into the room, I smelled the presence of another Alpha. It’s nothing like I have ever sensed before, M. Do you think... there’s a level higher than superior in this world?" He finally asked the main question that had been plaguing his mind.

"A level higher than superior Alpha..." Marius rubbed his chin with a contemplative look. "Honestly, I have never heard of it before. But don’t worry, I will look into this matter and get back to you as soon as possible. Until when are you going to stay here?"

He Juan breathed a sigh of relief. That was all he needed. He knew that with the extent of Marius’ network, surely he would be able to discover something. "One week at most. I will leave as soon as I get your news. Until then..." he shifted on his seat and groaned when his waist creaked as if it was going to fall apart. "I think I need to have a little vacation."

"Sure," Marius looked positively amused. "Just hit me up if you need someone to give you a tour around. On another note, can I ask you a question, XIU?"

He Juan gave him a gesture to go ahead.

"Why are you coming to me first instead of going to your own Boss? To be completely honest, the first person that came into my mind when I heard you say this is Boss Xuan. You realize it too, don’t you?" A sharp gleam flashed in Marius’ eyes, as opposed to his ever gentle smile. "The strength he has is abnormal... especially for an omega."