Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 434: A New Promise

During the investigation process, He Juan took some time off to visit his parents’ grave together with He Xie. In the year of the accident, He Juan had been preoccupied with taking care of his sick brother in the hospital, so he couldn’t find a suitable cemetery for their parents. He had temporarily settled them in a funeral parlor. It wasn’t until their lives started to stabilize, and He Juan began earning money that he moved their resting place to a beautiful cemetery adorned with lush trees and a garden of colorful flowers.

He Juan placed a bouquet of white lilies in front of the grave and smiled when he looked at his parents’ monochrome portrait. Beside him, He Xie reached out to brush away the stray leaves that had fallen on the gravestone.

"Mom, Dad, we’re here again," He Juan started in a light tone. "It’s been nine years since, huh? Time flies by so fast. This year, A–Xie is graduating from high school. Aren’t you proud?"

He Xie smiled and added, "I will be graduating this year, and I have no plan to go to the university. I hope you don’t blame me too much, Dad, Mom."

"How can they blame you?" He Juan scoffed and ruffled his brother’s hair playfully, earning him a bashful glare. "You’re already better than your Ge, planning to become a businessman after graduation!"

"Don’t listen to him," He Xie told their parents seriously. "I’m going to open a clothing store with my friend. It’s nothing big, but at least we both are interested in learning more about fashion. Instead, you should visit Ge’s dream more often and nag him. Look at how old he is now, and he still hasn’t found a partner yet! He’s so picky that everyone runs away from him!"

Laughing, He Juan teased him, "What? Don’t tell me you already have someone? Is that why you have been pressuring me lately?"

He Xie stumbled over his words, his cheeks flushing crimson. "W–What are you talking about in front of Mom and Dad? There is no such person!"

The two brothers joked and teased each other, spending a little more time in the cemetery before leaving.

"Have you decided on where you want to open your store?" He Juan asked as he drove He Xie back to the school.

"Hmm, it’s not certain yet. A-Sheng, he— oh, he’s the friend I’m going to partner with." He Xie flushed at that little slip of tongue and stuck his tongue out sheepishly. "He’s still searching for a nice and affordable place. But we’re considering Beijing or Guangnan. What do you think, Ge?"

"Both sounds good," He Juan tapped his fingers on the wheel and decided to offer a tiny help. "Don’t worry too much about the rent. Your Ge has some money to spare, you know? Just choose a store in the heart of the business district, and you will be good."

"Geez, here you go again, flaunting your wealth..." He Xie grumbled under his breath, but he did not reject the offer this time. "I will let you know later if we need help. But listen, Ge, I don’t want you to give me the money. Consider it a loan, and once the store starts making a profit, I’ll pay you back with interest!"

"Sure, sure," He Juan laughed and did not quibble further, as he knew how stubborn He Xie was once he made up his mind.

"So," He Xie cleared his throat and said in a meaningful tone, "I will be graduating soon."

"Uh-huh, and?" He Juan replied, confused as to why his little brother was bringing up something he already knew.

"Um, you..." He Xie fiddled with his fingers nervously before he steeled himself to express the thought in his mind, "What about your... work? You said that you would tone it down once I graduate. Is it possible for us... to live together again...?"

He Juan’s heart skipped a beat when he heard those hopeful words. Ah, that’s right, he had made that promise to He Xie two years ago when his little brother complained about his busy schedule. Now, the two years he had promised were almost up, and yet...

He recalled their investigation that had reached the critical phase and silently counted in his heart; He Xie’s graduation was only two months away. Could he wrap everything up within that timeframe and fulfill his promise?

He pressed his lips tight, not feeling very confident. "He Xie, that’s..." he started with an apologetic look, but He Xie could instantly guess what he was going to say and interjected,

"No, I understand. It’s okay if you can’t..."

Even though he said that, He Juan could see how upset he was by the news and it made him feel all the more horrible. He truly had not been a good brother to He Xie. How many times had he missed the moment when He Xie needed him by his side? Now, He Xie would be an adult soon, and all he asked of him was to live together again as family, so why was it so hard for him to fulfill this one promise?

"Give me a little more time," He Juan was quick to make amends. The project I’m currently involved in... it is quite complicated. I’m in the most critical phase right now, so I might be extremely busy for the next six months. But after that... I promise, I’ll wrap everything up and we can live together again. How does that sound?" He freed a hand to rub He Xie’s head. "So, don’t look so dejected. You know Ge can’t stand seeing you like this."

"Hmph," He Xie harrumphed softly. "What if you break your promise again this time?"

"Hmm..." He Juan thought long and hard before he suggested in a playful tone, "You can make me your servant for a day?" It was a game they had often played during their childhood. Whoever finished breakfast first would get to order the other person around all day. Well, it was actually a game He Juan came up with so that he could help carry his little brother’s bag for him, follow him around and buy him snacks, for he was concerned about He Xie’s frail health. They had played this game for years, yet not even once had He Juan won.

He Xie burst into laughter when he heard his brother’s suggestion, "Oh my God, you still remember that? That’s already so old, Ge!"

"How about it?" He Juan challenged with a raise of his brow. "It’s different now that we’re not kids anymore. This time, you can order Mr. He Juan around, make him your driver for a whole day, and take advantage of his credit cards..."

"Deal!" He Xie agreed loudly in a heartbeat. "You really can’t back out, okay Ge? Six months!"

"Okay, six months. I promise," He Juan let out a deep and smooth laughter. "Oh come to think of it, I have someone I’d like you to meet."

"Who is it?" He Xie asked curiously as this was the first time He Juan had ever wanted to introduce someone to him. A possibility crossed his mind and he covered his mouth in shock, gasping. "Don’t tell me... you really have a partner?!"

"Goodness, no!" He Juan nearly choked on his breath, laughing hard and wheezing. Mu Yuze, his partner? He was going to be jailed instead if he dared to entertain ideas about a minor like him! "Not a partner, but a little friend," he corrected the misunderstanding. "He’s a little shy and timid just like you, but extremely fierce. I think you two will get along well."

He Xie regarded his brother with suspicion, still could not bring himself to believe his brother’s words. But he knew He Juan would not lie to him, so he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "Sure, I’m fine with it. Now I’m starting to wonder what kind of amazing person it is for you to want me to meet them. You’re making me curious, Ge!"

He Juan merely let out a mysterious chuckle to keep his brother in suspense, "Yes, amazing indeed..."

After dropping He Xie off at school, He Juan said his goodbyes and returned to Yuyang, back to his routine and work. One month passed by in a flash, and another important event finally arrived.

— Mu Yuze was going to take the high school entrance examination!