Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“027”

Few clinics sell buprenorphine under the table, and considering the man was just a small-time thug, Xiao Lancui narrowed it down to a few clinics in the urban village area.

There were three clinics in total, and Wu Damin's Clinic was one of them.

They grabbed a cab over and entered the coffee shop catty-corner from Wu Damin's Clinic.

Xiao Lancui picked a table by the floor-to-ceiling window with a clear view of the clinic's entrance. As he sat down, Xiao Mian grumbled, "You were so sure, I thought you'd already confirmed it!"

Xiao Lancui said calmly, "A guess won't be a hundred percent accurate. This clinic just has the best odds."

Xiao Mian didn't understand. "Aren't all three clinics the same?" They're all crappy little clinics. "What's so different about Wu Damin's?"

"The location." Xiao Lancui flipped through the menu, studying every dessert. "Of the three clinics, only Wu Damin's is near cybercafes, bars, hair salons, and the most barbecue stalls around."

Xiao Mian was totally lost, his face scrunched in confusion. "So what's that got to do with anything?"

This time Xiao Lancui kept it short: "This area fits their usual stomping grounds."

Xiao Mian wanted to ask how Xiao Lancui could be so sure. He'd only been grabbed after a quick glance, hadn't even heard the guy's voice, so how could he know everything down to the guy's ancestors...

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back down. If he asked again, Xiao Lancui would probably think he was an idiot.

Xiao Mian held his tongue, and Xiao Lancui pushed the menu over for him to pick something. Xiao Lancui gave his order to the waiter first: "A glass of warm water and a slice of bayberry and lychee cake."

He'd caught a whiff of bayberry the day before and was craving it.

Xiao Mian could tell at a glance this coffee shop was a cheap joint. He just ordered an Americano and passed on the cake.

Once the waiter left, Xiao Mian tried to chat with Xiao Lancui again. It was weird—after losing his memory, Xiao Lancui talked even less than before, and his words were infuriating, but Xiao Mian seemed to have a masochistic streak, actually liking the sound of Xiao Lancui's voice.

It had a scholarly vibe, like ink and books.

The next second, Xiao Mian clamped his mouth shut, nearly biting his tongue. He watched Xiao Lancui pull a book out of his bag, a...

It looked like a German-language original.

Xiao Mian knew it was German, he just couldn't understand it. He watched Xiao Lancui casually open the book and start reading like no one else was there, and couldn't help blurting out, "When did you learn German?"

Xiao Lancui kept his eyes down, reading quietly. "A month ago."

Xiao Mian, "..." He almost let out the word "poser," but seeing Xiao Lancui's focused reading face, he held it in.

He really didn't get why Xiao Lancui was putting on this scholar act in front of him. They were family—he knew exactly what Xiao Lancui was all about!

Then he froze mid-thought. Family...

He was actually treating Xiao Lancui like family?!

Xiao Mian quickly shook his head. He wouldn't betray his own side! Xiao Lancui was the son of a mistress, the one who made his mom and second brother miserable. He and Xiao Lancui were sworn enemies!

As for coming today, he had nothing better to do, just tagging along for the hell of it.

The waiter came with their orders. Xiao Mian glanced at Xiao Lancui, grabbed his cup, and took a big gulp. The hot coffee nearly burned his mouth off. He grimaced and set it down fast, but didn't want Xiao Lancui to laugh at him, so he clamped his lips shut and frantically moved his tongue around to cool it. Once his tongue wasn't so numb, he said, "Are you here to catch someone or read a book? If it's reading, I'm out. I don't have time for this nonsense."

"I'm keeping an eye out." Xiao Lancui turned a page.

Xiao Mian was about to lose it. "I know you're reading! I'm talking about the guy!"

Xiao Lancui finally put the book down, but not because Xiao Mian was being loud—he could tune out all noise if he wanted. He was going to enjoy his bayberry lychee cake.

He picked up his spoon and said with a faint smile, "Have a little patience. I'm also keeping an eye on the clinic entrance. You can play your game, and I'll let you know when he shows up."

Xiao Mian was exasperated. Reading a book and watching the building across the street at the same time—did Xiao Lancui have eyes in the back of his head or what? He didn't believe a word Xiao Lancui said. He thought gloomily, Xiao Lancui's brain was pickled in seawater, and his own brain was scrambled too. There was definitely not going to be a next time!

After this, he'd never go along with Xiao Lancui's nonsense again!

He said sarcastically, "Fine, even if you are watching, let me ask you—what makes you so sure he'll show up today?"

Xiao Lancui was in no rush. He took a bite of the cake—the thick cream tasted like spoiled yogurt, and the bayberry and lychee were from a can, not fresh. He put down his spoon and said flatly, "You eat every day."

Xiao Mian rolled his eyes. "I'm still growing, so of course I need to eat every meal."

Xiao Lancui picked up his water cup and took a sip, washing the cloying sweetness out of his mouth. He said, "Buprenorphine is an addict's food."

Xiao Mian opened his mouth to speak, but Xiao Lancui said calmly, "He's here."

Xiao Mian automatically looked out the window. Diagonally across, a young man in a puffer jacket hurriedly pushed open the clinic door and went in.

No way...

Xiao Mian muttered, not quite believing it. "Are you sure? Don't grab the wrong guy. It's only been an hour... You really found him?"

Xiao Lancui put his book in his backpack and stood up. "Ask and we'll find out."

Twenty minutes later, Zhou Qitao walked out of the clinic with his meds tucked away, instinctively glancing left and right.

He kept thinking about the terrifying masked man's words: "He'll come for you in the next few days."

Who exactly was going to come for them?

Zhou Qitao was on edge. He was terrified of that man. He'd grown up in the underworld following his older brother and had seen plenty of ruthless people, but the one who made his hair stand on end, who scared him to his core, was that masked man.

Zhou Qitao was both scared of "him" coming and scared of "him" not coming.

If "he" didn't show up, would the masked man come looking for him again?

Zhou Qitao suddenly felt a wave of intense fear. He lowered his head, about to spit on the ground in frustration, when a pair of clean, pure black canvas shoes with laces as white as snow appeared in his line of sight.

He looked up abruptly, and the second he saw that cold face, the hand pressed against his chest went slack, and the plastic bag tucked in his undershirt slid down onto the floor tiles.

"It's you!"

He recognized Xiao Lancui instantly.

That face was hard to forget after just one look.

Zhou Qitao also realized—so "he" was Xiao Lancui. Xiao Lancui had actually come for him!

Realizing this, Zhou Qitao moved to grab the bag. If it was found, he was done for! He crouched down, but before he could touch the plastic bag, the pure black canvas shoe suddenly stomped on it.

Zhou Qitao looked up in shock and met those icy black eyes that said calmly, "Talk here, or talk at the police station."

Zhou Qitao was terrified. He knew? He knew he was shooting up buprenorphine!

How the hell did he know?!

The masked man and him...

Are those two demons?!

Zhou Qitao blurted out, "It was Sun Mai! A young master named Sun Mai paid us to kill you!"

He was about to cry. "I really don't know anything else. I only took a deposit... Please, just let me go. I'll never dare do it again!"

Xiao Mian stood right beside Xiao Lancui. Xiao Lancui didn't think anything of the word "us"—Zhou Qitao had caved instantly. He shot a sideways glance at Xiao Mian.

You can't judge intelligence by size, but Xiao Mian's build was certainly intimidating.

The mastermind was Sun Mai. Xiao Lancui mused—it seemed the plot where Sun Mai kidnapped Xiao Anfeng had transferred to him ahead of schedule, with different methods too.

Now Sun Mai was even more ruthless—he actually wanted him dead.

Xiao Lancui removed his foot. Zhou Qitao, overjoyed, snatched up the bag and stuffed it back into his clothes. Before he could catch his breath, a cold command came from above.

"Within one hour, you'll walk into the police station and turn yourself in. As for the reason, you pick whichever crime you've committed, and bring your three friends along."

Zhou Qitao looked up in shock, incredulous. "You... you want me to... turn myself in and rat on others?"

"Or I'll take you in myself."

Zhou Qitao watched those thin, cold lips as they spoke unhurriedly, "It's just that the consequences will be far worse than what you choose yourself. Since you didn't waste my time, I'll give you one chance to choose."

Zhou Qitao was full of regret—what kind of monsters had he provoked?! He clenched his fists, resentful yet helpless. He feared Xiao Lancui, and he feared the masked man. Between the two, going to jail was actually safer than being out here...

Zhou Qitao gave in. "I'll go myself."

Xiao Lancui wasn't worried about him backing out. Dealing with scum like this, he had plenty of ways. He ignored Zhou Qitao and said to Xiao Mian, "Let's go."

And with that, he actually left.

Xiao Mian had been dumbfounded the whole time, only snapping out of it a few seconds later to follow. He jogged to catch up, still unable to believe that Xiao Lancui had actually done it.

Not only had he actually found the people who kidnapped him, but he'd also

rounded them all up and turned them in to the police. What the hell was going on with Xiao Lancui?!

Xiao Mian stared at Xiao Lancui's profile. The sun was out today, warm rays falling on Xiao Lancui's face, and Xiao Mian suddenly felt it was... sacred.

Like the statues of gods he'd seen in temples and shrines both here and abroad—wise and beautiful.

What had gotten into Xiao Lancui?

Xiao Mian fell completely silent, obediently following Xiao Lancui on foot until Xiao Lancui stopped.

Xiao Mian watched Xiao Lancui step into a public phone booth, pick up the receiver, and dial 110.

So you didn't need a card to call 110...

Xiao Mian's thoughts were scattered as he heard Xiao Lancui say, "Hello, I'd like to report Wu Damin's clinic at 35 Xitong Road for selling illegal drugs."

He hung up immediately after reporting.

Xiao Lancui walked out of the booth and said to Xiao Mian, "You can leave now that it's done."

Xiao Mian's mouth hung slightly open. Xiao Lancui added, "You worked hard today. Pick a gift and let me know what you want, and I'll get it for you."

Xiao Lancui walked away. Xiao Mian watched him disappear into the distance, his mouth finally closing slowly. He lowered his head and rubbed his cheeks.

His cheeks were burning hot.

He felt like... he was about to switch sides.

Xiao Lancui hadn't gone far before he spotted a subway entrance and ducked in. As for Sun Mai, Xiao Lancui wasn't going to make a move yet.

Earlier, Fu Chen had mentioned on the phone that Sun Mai had been hospitalized and was unconscious. Though the exact reason was unclear, the outcome was probably that he'd become a vegetable, just like in the book.

No point in wasting time.

But if Sun Mai woke up, that would be a different story.

For now, the most pressing matter was confirming the identity of the Lu family's youngest son.

Xiao Lancui hailed a cab while dialing Zhou Fengqiang's number. "Uncle Zhou, I'll head over now."

"Oh, I was just about to contact you!" Zhou Fengqiang said over the phone. "I'm off today. I just stepped out for a bit and came back, and I saw your friend being picked up!"

Xiao Lancui blinked. "Who picked him up?"

"Not sure. I just saw a dark red Bentley."

Xiao Lancui's eyes darkened. A dark red Bentley—the youngest son's stepmother.

Suddenly, it hit him.

He said goodbye to Zhou Fengqiang, hung up, and checked the date.

Indeed, the day after tomorrow was Han Xinyi's birthday—Lu Siye's mother.

They'd brought him back to show face?

Xiao Lancui thought it was suspicious.

Given the Lu family's previous attitude of wanting to kill their youngest son without a trace, why would they suddenly bring him back for a birthday banquet?

That year when Xiao Lancui's legs were disabled, his father hadn't allowed him to attend his own birthday celebration, fearing he'd lose face.

Let alone this youngest son of the Lu family, who had always been kept hidden and marginalized.

He had to attend the Lu family's banquet.

A taxi pulled up. Xiao Lancui got in and said, "Tianlin Mountain Estate."

The high-end villa neighborhood where the Xiao family lived.

It suddenly clicked—last night, Lu Siye's excuse for coming to the Xiao house was to invite Xie Jingfang to the birthday banquet.

Xie Jingfang was his ticket in.