Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 479: Feel Like Home

He Juan and Ye Qiu exchanged a doubtful glance, as they very seldom saw such a look on Marius’ face. Whatever news he received must have irked him greatly. "Did something happen?" He Juan asked as soon as the man hung up on the call.

Marius’ brows remained furrowed as his fingers danced across the screen to compose a quick message. After that, he raised his head and offered them a tight smile, "Just a little problem with my business. Don’t worry, what are we talking about again? Oh, right. How should we celebrate?"

In the end, they settled on a buffet dinner at a newly opened restaurant in the city once the legal documents were approved. Noticing that it was already late, Ye Qiu excused herself, saying that she would go and check on the children. Without her presence, the two men could finally talk business without reservation, "What’s wrong, M?" He Juan asked, a tinge of concern in his tone. He knew that Marius wouldn’t have shown this kind of reaction over a mere ’little problem’.

Sure enough, Marius’ genteel façade instantly cracked, revealing a hint of ferocity he would never show in front of Ye Qiu. "It’s Golden Sand again," he groaned, massaging his temple. "The production cost has gone way beyond my expectations. It’s almost ten times higher than other hallucinogens in the market. I’ve been struggling to sell it before I managed to secure a deal with a Russian triad, but now I received news that they are not interested in extending the contract anymore."

He Juan wracked his brain before finally recalling the details. Golden Sand was an extremely potent hallucinogen known for its ability to brainwash someone’s mind with a single suggestion, to the point of becoming a completely different person. It was capable of wiping away all emotions – joy, sorrow, everything – like a clean state. That was why it was also hailed as the ’Pill of Forgetfulness’.

This drug had emerged a few years back in Myanmar, and Marius had swiftly taken control of its production so that he could monopolize the drug. He saw an immense business potential there, but little did he know that the manufacturing process would be so exceedingly complex and costly that it threw a wrench into his plans. In the end, it could not be mass-produced, and its circulation remained confined to Myanmar in limited quantities.

He Juan furrowed his brows in thought. "What’s the reason?"

Marius shrugged with a wry smile, "No market. Drug addicts will not be able to afford such an expensive drug when they can easily find cheaper alternatives with similar effects. And even if some people are interested in Golden Sand, it’s usually for research purposes. It’s not sustainable in the long haul."

"Then what are you planning to do?"

"I have been trying to streamline the production process to reduce the manufacturing costs, but so far I’ve heard nothing from my R&D team. I’m not certain if simplification is possible. Or else..." his eyes darkened. "I might have to pull back everything on the market and cease production altogether."

Now that Marius was talking about research, He Juan was suddenly reminded of a certain someone who had been doing a study on Golden Sand in his free time. After a moment of contemplation, he suggested, "I don’t know if this will be of any help... but I know someone brilliant who is very interested in Golden Sand. Perhaps he could offer you some valuable insights."

Marius’ interest was immediately piqued as he reached for his phone. "Who is it? Tell me, and I will tell my man to pick them up."

"No need," He Juan waved his hand with an amused look. "Coincidentally, that person is in this villa as well. Don’t you think it’s such a fate, M?"

Marius was stunned for a second before realization hit him. "You mean... Doctor Jia?"

In the middle of the night, Jia Molei was roused from his peaceful sleep, rendering him quite grumpy. His sullen expression persisted until he entered the office and heard what he was here for.

As soon as he heard the words ’Golden Sand’, his eyes instantly lit up with a scorching intensity akin to a mad scientist who had found the best research object, and he delved into a flurry of chemical jargon while conversing with Marius, leaving He Juan utterly lost. However, judging from the gleam in Marius’ eyes, it seemed like bringing Jia Molei here was the best decision.

He Juan’s face held a subtle smile, happy that he could be of help. He looked down at his phone where a short message from Mu Yuze had just come in, asking if he would return today.

He had not seen Mu Yuze since the accident with his first heat as he had proceeded to move from one city to another in search of Luo Xuan, so that should have been four days now. Four days, and every single day Mu Yuze would send him this single message without fail despite how it must be quite a struggle for him. He Juan could keep his yearning at bay simply because his mind had been too occupied with confronting Luo Xuan, but now... just the mere thought of seeing the omega again was making his heart flutter.

All of a sudden, he really, really wanted to see Mu Yuze. Just a single glimpse was fine— he longed to gaze at the boy’s face, to hear his tilting voice, to bask in his tiny smiles— and he could make himself content with only that.

It was the kind of yearning that seeped into his heart without him realizing, and by the time he noticed its presence, it had taken roots so deeply that he could not extricate himself anymore.

Rapping his knuckles on the table to draw the two men’s attention, he declared, "I’m leaving first. You guys talk."

Much to his exasperation, the two of them barely glanced at him before resuming their heated discussion once again. With a helpless smile, He Juan grabbed his jacket and car key, then made his way out of the villa.

He arrived home a little past midnight and as expected, Mu Yuze had not fallen asleep yet. When He Juan entered the house, the television in the living room was on, and there was a bucket of half-eaten matcha ice cream on the table, left alone by the boy who had shot up to his feet as soon as he heard the key turn in the lock.

"G–Gege, welcome back..." he called out in a slight stammer, his fingers fumbling with nervous energy. He looked so awkward that he dared not even meet He Juan’s eyes, opting to train his gaze on the floor instead.

He Juan’s eyes greedily drank in the sight of the boy who was clad in comfy casual wear. The glow from the television fell upon him, casting dark shadows over his delicate features. The faint scent of lavender and peppermint lingered in the air, sweet yet distracting in equal measure. He Juan took in everything, feeling like his heart – which had been all over the place these past few days – finally found its safe harbor. In this time and space, all of the worries he had seemed so far away, as his entire focus was centered on the person before him.

That was how he realized that wherever Mu Yuze was, that place would feel like home.

He Juan closed the door behind him with a gentle click, and the silver in his eyes softened into coppery liquid. With extreme fondness and tenderness, he whispered, "Mn, I’m back."