Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)

A strange panic arose in his heart before he recalled that to He Xie, he was nothing more than an ordinary businessman who often had to go on trips overseas. Of course, if He Xie knew the truth, how was it possible that he wanted to become someone like He Juan?

He Juan chuckled and joked to calm his wildly beating heart, "Are you saying this because I have been single for too long or..."

"It’s not like that," He Xie sent him an exasperated look. "Don’t pretend to be a fool, Ge. You know what I am talking about. I don’t want you to work so hard anymore. You’re only twenty three, your peers have barely graduated from university. We are not financially tight anymore, so... isn’t time for you to search for something you want to do?"

"If you can take it slow..." He Xie murmured under his breath, his eyes lowered to hide the emotions brewing within. "Then we will be able to spend more time together, right?"

Oh. So it was like this...

His little brother had really grown up someplace he could not see. No longer was he the boy who would sneak into He Juan’s bed in the middle of the night due to nightmares. He had even learned to be more thoughtful and considerate toward his big brother.

It was not like he was distancing himself, but he was just trying not to become He Juan’s burden anymore. He was trying to tell He Juan that he was already an adult who could stand up on his own feet.

So that He Juan did not have to work himself down to the bones, so that He Juan could finally take a much-needed rest, so that He Juan could free some time amidst his busy schedule for them...

Goodness, how hadn’t he realized it until today? He was too busy watching over his surroundings, keeping his guard up against the enemies who were out for his life, so busy that he failed to realize that He Xie had also been trying to reach out to him in his own ways.

He Juan swallowed through his constricted throat. His chest felt stuffy, so heavy it felt like he was being submerged underwater. He felt a spark of joy for knowing He Xie’s true feelings for the first time, yet as soon as it appeared, it was quickly overwhelmed by the tide of sadness that rendered him unable to breathe.

For how was he supposed to tell He Xie that slowing down for him meant death?

Since he joined the underworld, he had not lowered his guard. Not even once. Because if he did, his enemies would not hesitate to attack the chink on his armor and break him apart from within. He could not rest, because there were a lot of lives who depended on him, who trusted and relied on him and he... could not forsake them all.

"I will see what I can do..." He Juan forced a smile on his face. Not wanting He Xie to notice anything, he turned on the engine and started to drive out of the parking lot, his eyes fixed on the road. He could feel He Xie’s stare boring a hole in his head, but he pretended not to notice it.

"Two years, huh?" He let out a laugh which he hoped did not sound too bitter. "Okay, there’s still some time. Ge will find a way to take a break from my job, okay?"

He Xie couldn’t help but say when he sensed that his big brother’s reaction seemed a little off, "Don’t force yourself if you can’t..."

This time, He Juan’s laughter was more genuine. "Okay, okay, what a worrywart you are. Your Ge knows what he has to do. By the way, I haven’t asked you yet. What kind of job do you want to have?"

He Xie was quickly distracted by the switch of topic, his face turning a little red. He cleared his throat, "Actually, I have planned to open a clothing store with my friend."

He Juan made a curious noise in his throat. "Hmm? Tell me more about it."

***

On one side of the city, the two brothers were enjoying their little stolen time after being apart for too long and on the other side, there was Mu Yuze who was almost bored to death in the apartment.

He had always cherished his private space and solitude, yet it was not until he was really alone that he learned how lonely it was. Previously, he could still look forward to He Juan’s return so that they could have dinner together, but now...

’I have to get up to eat lunch,’ he thought from where he was laying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. ’But I don’t want to move at all. Strange, why is time passing by so slowly today?’

In the end, the sound of the doorbell buzzing forced him to slide down from the bed, then sluggishly dragged his feet to the door. He went to grab a stool on the doorway and climbed on it so that he was tall enough to peek into the peephole, and the people he saw outside caused him to show a look of surprise.

He clambered down from the stool and opened the door for the Morningstar brothers. Alas, the question of ’what are you two doing here’ had not even escaped his lips yet when Sirius suddenly rushed forward to give him a hug, almost tackling him to the floor. "Merry Christmas!!"

Mu Yuze hurried to grab the wall for support, shocked by the boy’s sudden enthusiasm.

’But isn’t Christmas tomorrow...?’ he thought, baffled.

"I’m sorry for the sudden visit," Marius told him with laughter in his eyes as he yanked his brother back by the collar, earning him a furious holler. "Are we bothering you?"

Mu Yuze shook his head, still a tad confused. "No, but... what are you two doing here? Boss will not be home until next week."

Marius’ lips twitched upon hearing that address but in the end, he chose not to comment anything about it. "We are here for you, not XIU."

Question marks were practically flying in front of Mu Yuze’s face. "...Me?"

"Yes, you!!" Sirius was the one who responded with eagerness that knew no bounds. "Aren’t you bored at home alone? Let’s hang out at the farm today! We will pick strawberries, eat egg pies and harvest milk straight from the cows! Have you tried doing it yourself? You have to! It’s kinda weird and disgusting at first, but—"

Marius cleared his throat to cut off his brother’s endless chatter. "As Sirius has said, let’s go out together. Unless, you have already made a plan this evening?"

"No, but..."

Marius could guess what he was going to say without even thinking. "It’s XIU, he told us to check on you once in a while." He chuckled softly. "Otherwise, won’t you keep yourself locked at home all day long until he returns?"

Bingo, that was indeed Mu Yuze’s plan. Aside from playing with Kitty and her newborn kittens, he did not have any other agenda for the new year.

Mu Yuze hesitated whether to accept the invitation or not, but he could tell that he was already swayed by the offer. Perhaps it was the two brothers’ warm and genuine demeanor, or perhaps it could also be because of Marius who gave off a similar aura to He Juan, making Mu Yuze lower his guard without even realizing.

The two of them were He Juan’s acquintances, so there was nothing wrong with hanging out with them once in a while, right? He might even be able to find out something else about He Juan from them. Making up his mind, he gave a nod, "If it’s Boss’ words, then..."

"Hooray!" Sirius jumped in joy, beaming from ears to ears. "Let’s go!"