Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 173: All I Want

The man laughed again, only to choke and cough midway. He coughed so hard that his thin shoulders shook, looking especially pitiful and fragile. He raised a hand to refuse Ku Jin’s offer to hand him a glass of water.

"...He has not betrayed me." He wiped the speck of blood on the corner of his lips, the bright color adding on a splash of vibrancy to his pale face. Nonetheless, his eyes were spectacularly bright as a faint smile curved on his lips. "I made him angry once, and he retaliated against me once. We are even now. That’s just what I want. Being soft-hearted doesn’t suit him..." He shook his head in pity. His demeanor was akin to an elder watching over an unruly and misbehaving child who was oblivious on how the real world worked.

"Soft-hearted...?" Ku Jin murmured under his breath, bewildered. Since when did that guy become soft-hearted? Why didn’t he know anything about this?

As if he heard nothing at all, the man in the wheelchair said in a matter-of-fact tone as if the future was already set according to his plan, "Don’t worry, he will return to us. Soon, he will see that the world doesn’t have a place for someone like him. The only place where he can belong is... Xuanlong."

Ku Jin gave him a playful bow, chuckling, "As you demand, Boss Xuan."

Even though it sounded conceited, Ku Jin had never doubted his words even once. Because this person had always kept his words, no matter how arrogant and fantastical it was. After all, this was the person who managed to rise to the top with his capability, strength and brilliance alone.

In the era where omegas were one-sidedly suppressed and dominated, this person managed to build a behemoth mafia clan with his own blood, sweat and tears despite being on omega himself. He made everyone – Alphas, Betas and most specially Omegas – revered him from the depth of their heart. He left a legacy that was deeply remembered even when a decade had passed.

He was the founder and leader of Xuanlong, Luo Xuan.

He used to be the most powerful and charismatic of all. Alas, it’s such a pity that he was now reduced to such a miserable state. Ku Jin clicked his tongue inwardly as his gaze traveled to Luo Xuan’s paralyzed legs.

As though knowing the direction of his thought, Luo Xuan asked softly, "You won’t betray me, will you Ku Jin?"

Ku Jin raised a brow.

If it had been ten years ago, he would have agreed without any hesitation out of the fear and reverence from the bottom of his heart. He had always known that he was different since birth; he lacked sympathy and conscience that would make someone a decent human being.

For him, there were only two types of people who were qualified to talk to him. First, they should be stronger than him and second... they should arouse his interest.

Ten years ago, Luo Xuan had been in the former category but now... not anymore. Right now they only worked together out of a common goal. This person was no longer a threat to him. And he was sure that Luo Xuan knew it as well. That was just the consequences of keeping a bloodthirsty beast by your side – you have to tame him properly or else you have to be prepared to be devoured until not even your bones remain.

The corner of Ku Jin’s lips stretched into an elegant smile. "As long as our common interest is still the same, I will not betray you, Boss."

If one delved deeper into this sentence, it would sound quite terrifying. Did it mean that if someone suddenly appeared and they turned out to be more useful to him than Luo Xuan, he would not hesitate to switch sides in a heartbeat?

Nonetheless, there was none of the anger in Luo Xuan’s face. Instead he let out a smooth, unrestrained laughter as if he was very pleased by Ku Jin’s answer. This bold confidence had not changed since a decade ago, and it wouldn’t change now. It was the expression of someone who had full control over everything.

...Indeed, this was just how Ku Jin was.

If Ku Jin had agreed just now, he would have been doubtful. He did not need anyone who knew how to bootlick him. Someone like Ku Jin whose goal was simple to the point of being childish, was the most suitable partner for him.

"Good," he smiled, pleased. He let out another soft cough and a trace of exhaustion appeared on his features. "I’d like to rest now. Can you carry me to the bed?"

Even before his last sentence fell, Ku Jin already stepped forward, slipped his arms around Luo Xuan’s thin shoulders and the crook of his legs, then lifted him up in a whoosh. He reached the bed in two large strides, placed Luo Xuan down and tucked the blanket around him. His movement was very smooth and proficient. It was evident that this was not the first time he had done something like this.

Luo Xuan let out a little sigh and closed his eyes, exhausted. With his head buried in the pillow, he looked especially weak and fragile. As Ku Jin smoothed the creases on his blanket, he murmured, "You must be bored being by my side all day long. In the next few days, don’t show up in the hospital and just go out to play. I am giving you permission to let loose a bit."

Ku Jin snapped his gaze up in shock, his dark pupils gleaming. "...Really? I am allowed to play?"

Luo Xuan cracked one eye open and snorted in amusement. "Don’t think I don’t know why you have been hanging out around this hospital. It’s all because of that doctor, right?"

"Hehe..." Ku Jin rubbed his nose and showed a bashful look.

With his youthful face, he looked no different than any innocent young man who was going to meet the person he liked. Alas, the same thing could not be applied to his eyes. They were turbulent, filled with suppressed excitement that was on the verge of overflowing. Just like a beast whose chains had been loosened, he could not wait to stretch his body and go out to hunt for his prey. The two contrasts made him look like a terrifying madman.

He was so excited that his hands started to tremble. Unable to suppress the manic glee in his heart, he leaned down and smacked a kiss on Luo Xuan’s forehead. "Mwah! Thank you so much, Boss!"

Luo Xuan pushed his face away with a helpless look. "Go... just go away..."

Ku Jin happily drew the curtain and adjusted the room’s lighting to make Luo Xuan more comfortable. He was skipping to the door when Luo Xuan called out, "Ku Jin."

"Yes?" Ku Jin turned around and tilted his head in inquiry.

Luo Xuan’s eyes were closed. His voice drifted out in a slight murmur with a tinge of drowsiness and exhaustion, "You know... I don’t have much time left. All I want to see is Xuanlong... returning to its era of glory. After I leave, he will replace me as the leader..." his voice became softer and softer until they dissipated softly akin to faint mist blown away by a gentle breeze.

The rest of his words were left unsaid.

— He will replace me as the leader, because that’s exactly where he is supposed to be. Right by my side. Under my shadows. Because no one deserves the name ’XIU’ other than him. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Ku Jin watched unblinkingly for two seconds and saw that Luo Xuan had truly fallen asleep.

"Roger, Boss," he uttered in a tiny whisper, then he quietly slipped out and closed the door behind him.

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A/N: just a reminder, XIU can mean ’shadow’ or ’protector’

Who guessed correctly that the one who fought Tak Jung-hwa is Xuanlong’s Big Boss?? *giggle*