Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)

"Is everything okay, Ge?" He Xie asked once he saw his big brother coming out of the emergency exit, his eyes held a little concern.

"Of course, what trouble would there be in the New Year?" He Juan swiftly concealed his emotions beneath the mask of a smile as if the person who had threatened to behead people just now was not him. "Have you found the type of mattress you want? Come here and let me see..."

Even though He Juan said that, he became slightly distracted after that and he could tell that He Xie noticed it too, if the amount of times he snuck a glance at He Juan was any indication. Alas, ever the considerate and sensible, he said nothing about it. After purchasing the mattress and asking for it to be delivered straight to their place, the two brothers continued to browse through the store, buying a little decoration here and there, before they decided to head to the food court to get lunch.

By then, one and a half hours had already passed, yet He Juan still had not received any news whatsoever.

"...Ge?" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Hmm?" He Juan raised his head, blinking. He put on an apologetic smile, "Did you say something, A-Xie?"

He Xie had his eyes lowered as he stirred his chocolate milkshake. "If you’re busy, it’s okay for you to go. I can find my way back to school..."

"No no no," He Juan was quick to refuse, appalled that He Xie could even entertain the idea of going back alone. He had tried to keep his attention to the present, but Mo Feng’s sudden disappearance kept bugging him like a mosquito’s buzz beside his ear. Sighing, he reached out and squeezed his little brother’s hand, "A-Xie, it’s rare for us to spend time together, how can I leave you alone just like that? Don’t worry, it’s just a small problem and I have dispatched someone to solve it." He flashed a self-assured grin at the teenager. "A-Xie is the most important to me. Even if the sky comes crashing down, I will not leave!"

His resolute declaration earned him an amused scoff from the other. It seemed like He Juan’s words of reassurance worked wonders because He Xie’s tense shoulders slowly relaxed and he went back to talking about the store he had dreamed to open.

This time, He Juan placed one hundred percent of focus into the conversation, and the two brothers chatted merrily in the food court as they enjoyed their lunch.

***

Except, He Juan still did not receive the news he wanted even after nightfall.

He was back in the balcony with a phone held to his ears, his silver eyes flickering in suppressed fury. The person on the other side of the line was none other than the leader who had broken the news of Mo Feng’s escape to He Juan earlier and now, he was literally putting himself on the chopping board by delivering more bad news.

"...we checked the CCTVs and saw him heading to the Fourth Ring Road, but then a car suddenly stopped in front of him and took him away! We tried to track down the car and found it abandoned on the highway. Those bastards must have switched cars to shake us off, Boss!"

"Highway," He Juan echoed in a wintry tone that sent shivers to the other’s spine. "Which city does it lead to?"

"Er... it’s the main junction between Hebei and Yuyang. I don’t dare to charge forward as I please because it’s no longer our territory..." his voice grew smaller and smaller, shaky. "What should I do next, Boss?"

He Juan chuckled darkly, "How about delivering your head to me?"

"Mercy... please have mercy!!"

He Juan stared at the city lights spread out in front of him, his mind wandering. Actually, such an outcome was fine too. The one who decided to shed all pretenses first was Mo Feng. Thus, He Juan could directly label him as a deserter and traitor to the organization. For everyone in the underworld knew that Xuanlong prioritized loyalty before ability.

Traitors must not be spared.

A cold glint flashed through his eyes, even colder than the minus temperature outside. "I have no need for you anymore," he told the other man. "I will spare your life seeing that it’s inauspicious to have blood spilled at New Year. But do not hope that we will be working with each other again in the future."

The man was extremely delighted to hear this, for he was already certain that he would not live to see the change of year tomorrow. "T–Thank—"

He Juan hung up on the call without bothering to hear the other person’s response, and then he immediately sent out a huge bounty for Mo Feng. Whoever could catch him alive would be rewarded handsomely. Even though Xuanlong’s headquarters and territory was located in Jiangnan, he had many men spread all over the country and they were more than eager to make some quick cash. He expected Mo Feng to be sent to him before this week was over, if there was no more mishap.

He had already known early on that Mo Feng was working for someone else, but... why now? Why must he act today, of all days? Was it because it was New Year’s Eve — the time when most people had their guard lowered?

Even then, Mo Feng was not a fool. He knew how terrifying the backlash would be if he were to be labeled a traitor and that must also be the reason why he had been hiding for so long. So what caused him to tear his façade now?

Was it because his backer was an organization even stronger than Xuanlong or... was he planning for something big?

He Juan shook his head and took a deep inhale to clear his mind. Well, there was no use pondering over this matter. Once he caught Mo Feng, he would be able to slowly interrogate him until he discovered the truth.

Slipping the phone back to his pocket, he turned to enter the living room and joined He Xie on the couch to watch the New Year Gala.

"Done?" He Xie asked as he munched on potato chips.

"Mn," He Juan chuckled. "All done."

The singers and dancers on the stage were giving their best performance to the audience, and outside, people had started to light up fireworks one after another, sending brilliant and colorful sparks all across the night sky. The two brothers followed the countdown, "Ten... nine... eight..."

They caught each other’s eyes and smiled, "Three... two... one..."

"Happy New Year, Ge."

"Happy New Year, A–Xie!" He Juan pulled him into a hug and took in a deep inhale of the scent that belonged only to He Xie. The scent of home. He murmured, his voice emotional, "I’m so glad to be able to do the countdown with you again this year."

"Me too, Ge," He Xie leaned into the warm embrace with a slight smile on his face. "Me too..."

.

.

Lulled by the blissful and serene atmosphere, He Juan still had no idea that at the same time as the fireworks bloomed in full splendor on the sky, multiple explosions also occurred at various places across the country, sending a cloud of mushroom flame that lit up the darkness.

Just like a beacon of war.