Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 516: Birthday Gift
After making a wish, He Juan finally presented the gift he had prepared β a limited edition luxury brand watch. ππ£πππππππΌππ²πΉ.ππ π
He could not read anything from Mu Yuzeβs expression and for some reason, it made him feel nervous. Thus he began to blabber, "Do you like it? I came across it some time ago, and I thought it suited you very well. Ah, but itβs okay if itβs not to your taste. After all, itβs based on my preference and I donβt actually know what you really want..." he let out a sheepish chuckle and tentatively added, "Or if you prefer, Gege can get you another gift?"
Mu Yuze blinked and replied, "No, itβs beautiful. I really like it. Thank you, Gege." He carefully closed the lid of the gift box and set it aside.
Despite his words, he did not look particularly thrilled with the gift. He Juan knew it because he couldnβt find the same glimmer in Mu Yuzeβs eyes like when he was looking at the cake. Instead, he seemed deep in thought, his beautiful brows furrowed in concentration.
He Juan couldnβt bear to see him like this, so he reached out and playfully poked the space between Mu Yuzeβs brows, and when the boy raised his head in surprise, he asked with a smile, "Whatβs on your mind?"
"Itβs nothing. Just that..." Mu Yuze pursed his lips tightly and peered up at He Juan. Now He Juan was getting curious. What could have bothered him so much that he couldnβt bring himself to say it out loud?
"Iβm not unhappy with the gift," Mu Yuze asserted again as if fearing that He Juan would misunderstand. But soon a troubled look crossed his face. "Itβs just that... with your current status... is it okay for you to... run around as you please?" He spoke in halting words, and it took a few seconds for He Juan to comprehend what he was saying.
No way, did he just...?
He Juan had no idea whether to laugh or cry. "Xiao Ze, are you worried about me? Worried that the police would catch me?"
Come to think of it, Mu Yuze had no idea that the police had nothing on him. All the fanfare was, in fact, an attempt to boost their own prestige and win public favor. Even if they continued their efforts for years, they still wouldnβt be able to apprehend him.
"Canβt I?" Mu Yuze grumbled under his breath, his ears flushing red.
A warm feeling enveloped He Juanβs chest and the grin on his face widened. "Donβt worry. Donβt you know that Iβm rich and powerful?" he teased. "With me like this, who can throw me behind the bars?
Mu Yuze shot him a menacing glare. Here He Juan was, teasing him again! He was wrong to think that He Juan looked different. Look at how brazen he sounded. Couldnβt he be more careful with his own life? Alas, Mu Yuze couldnβt deny how He Juanβs words reassured him so. Perhaps this was He Juanβs magic. He had the power to make people believe his words. If he said that he wouldnβt be caught, then it must be true. Mu Yuze could finally sigh in relief and cast his worries aside.
"You, on the other hand," He Juan pinched Mu Yuzeβs little nose, unable to help himself. He chuckled when Mu Yuze swatted his hand away with a glower. "Youβre concerned about a wanted criminal, you know?"
"So what?" Mu Yuze retorted seamlessly. "The media tends to exaggerate news about you, anyway. I donβt care who you are. Juan-gege is Juan-gege, and thatβs enough for me."
That honest declaration utterly caught He Juan off guard, as he had not seen it coming at all. Did Mu Yuze even know what he was saying? Itβs not like this was the first time he had expressed such sentiments. Many months ago, he had spoken similar words β βI donβt care what people think of you. I donβt care how the media portrays you. For me, you are Juan-gege... and I will not change my mind no matter how many people persuade me otherwise, even if itβs you.β
Even now, He Juan could still remember each word vividly. However, at that time, he had not yet become a wanted criminal. He had not yet become the target of public outrage and the scorn of society. Right now, there was so much news circulating about him, one was more dreadful than the others. If it hadnβt been about himself, he would have cursed XIU alongside others. That was how horrible the news was.
Yet even in such a time, Mu Yuze...
He Juan couldnβt help but chuckle, feeling both touched and a little helpless.
Even in such a time, he was still the same Mu Yuze. He still treated He Juan with unwavering sincerity and honesty, and He Juan... He Juan had no idea how to feel about that. Yes, he was happy, but at the same time, there was also a touch of wistfulness. Because he did not know where Mu Yuzeβs blind faith in him had come from.
Mu Yuzeβs trust was so warm, so addicting like the snare of the worldβs deadliest drug. He was afraid that one day, he would do something to let the boy down. He was afraid to see even a speck of disappointment and resentment in the boyβs pure eyes. He was afraid to let the boy step into his treacherous world, to taint his innocence with the filthy color of blood.
If only... if only Mu Yuze knew how heavy of a sin he bore, would he still say the same?
Mu Yuze averted his gaze away, somewhat embarrassed by his bold declaration. "IβIβm hungry. I think we should start eating before the food gets cold."
He Juan did not make it difficult for him and agreed readily, "Okay, letβs dig in."
The atmosphere between them was as tranquil and delightful as ever. While they ate, He Juan asked all sorts of questions and caught up on Mu Yuzeβs life which he had missed these past few months. They did not talk about how He Juan was a wanted criminal, or how the police in the entire country were out for him. It was like they were two ordinary people simply reconnecting with each other.
After dinner, He Juan carried the plates to the dishwasher, and it was then that Mu Yuze addressed him,
"Gege, you said that you would get me what I want..."
He Juan was taken aback for a while before breaking into a warm smile. Seemed like the birthday boy had finally decided to speak his mind. "Of course, anything for Xiao Ze. What do you want? I will see if I can get it for you."
Mu Yuze shook his head. "I donβt need material gifts. I just..." he bit his lower lip and gazed up at He Juan with a hint of hesitancy before whispering, "Can I have a hug?"
