Chapter 11

It's been getting colder these past few days. Song Bai has already started wearing a thin sports jacket. When he left the teahouse, he called for a car. As he looked at the date on his phone screen, he realized that this period of time had passed by too quickly and exhaustedly. In just three days, it would be Lu Fucheng's birthday and he hadn't even prepared a gift yet.

This year, it seems that the fortunes of both the nation and our families have not been very good. However, fortunately, we have reached the end of the year, and all difficulties will eventually pass.

In the afternoon, Song Bai didn't go to work. He called Lu Fucheng when he got home. Song Bai wanted to mention the matter of Ji Suiyun to Lu Fucheng, who understood more. Once they could confront Feng Zhengqi, they'd be somewhat prepared.

Lufucheng's phone went unanswered, causing Song Bai to suddenly feel anxious. He searched for a while before finally finding the landline number for Lufucheng's studio. He dialed it and after three or four rings, someone picked up.

Hello, this is Dingyuan Studios.

The voice of a stranger, probably one of Lu Fucheng's colleagues.

Hello, I'm Song Bai, the younger brother of Lu Fucheng. I'm wondering why his phone is not reachable...

... He was taken in for investigation at noon due to some accounting issues. He seemed to ask to make a phone call to his family, but the police, according to regulations, refused. Don't worry, there's probably not enough evidence and he should be released soon.

Song Bai bites her lips, her hands trembling. 'Isn't it just a matter of materials? Why are there issues with the accounts again?'

The person opposite clearly did not know either: 'Yeah, everyone knows what kind of person Luge is. These days, a string of things happened, and he was targeted by someone...' His voice grew lower as he spoke, and it's not good to speak recklessly these days. So after exchanging a few pleasantries, he hung up the phone.

宋白心头凉了半截，脱力般坐在地上，一时都不知道怎么办好。

Song Baixintou's heart sank halfway, and he sat on the ground as if he had lost his strength, not knowing what to do for a moment.

Song Bai's personality doesn't resemble that of a typical boy. If he didn't have Lu Fucheng protecting him when he was young, he would have most likely been one of the easiest targets to be bullied and given a nickname. He was fair-skinned and cried easily, which stood out in a group of Northeastern children who wrestled and cursed in the mud every day. It was Lu Fucheng who protected him, played with him and taught him how to be strong and brave. Now that Song Bai has grown up, he is sunny and cheerful, but because of his weak abilities, he can't help but feel useless.

Song Bai told Li Yang that he had requested a whole week of leave. At night, he was alone at home and felt the terrifying silence. Song Bai wrapped himself up in the blanket, covering his head and could not fall asleep, tossing and turning.

The next day, he woke up feeling dizzy and confused, calling out for Chengcheng again and again, shouting from room to room, but no one responded.

Instead of waiting for Lu Fucheng, Song Bai received a phone call from Ji Suiyun, which was enough to surprise him. He frantically answered the phone, saying, Mr. Ji. Please note that the translation is in American English and may differ from other varieties of English.

I called Mr. Feng and he agreed to give me face. Let's set a time for everyone to have a meal together and chat.

Song Bai was very anxious and at this moment, he completely regarded Ji Suiyun as a lifesaver. He didn't know much, so he recounted what his colleague, Lu Fucheng, said yesterday, in a jumbled manner, and begged Ji Suiyun to help him think of a solution.

Ji Su Yun acknowledged knowing that Feng Zhengqi's irrational actions were done in anger. Ji gently advised Song Bai not to worry, as at most, within 48 hours, Lu Fucheng would be released.

After expressing his gratitude and thanks naturally, Song Bai breathed a long sigh of relief only after hanging up the phone.

Ji Suiyun looked at Feng Zhengqi and said, 'Call the police station and hold him for two days, that should be sufficient.'

Feng Zhengqi sat across the huge desk, holding a Parker pen in one hand as he propped up his chin with the other. His expression was ambiguous as he asked, 'What kind of good thing did you encounter that's worth spending so much time on?'

Ji Suiyun was getting a little impatient and sneered softly, 'That's enough, I'm just playing around.'

Feng Zhengqi nodded and said, Sure, let's hang out together when we have time.

Ji Su Yun was reading a bidding document when she heard the words but didn't even look up: 'Hmm.'

Song Bai's mind finally returned to reality. He carefully calculated the time and thought that Lu Fucheng should be able to make it to his birthday.

You must celebrate your birthday properly in order to have a smooth and successful year ahead.

Song Bai finally forced himself to eat a bit of food, and then bravely went out to select a gift for Lu Fucheng after tidying himself up.

After much consideration, Song Bai ultimately decided to give Lu Fucheng a necktie. Although Lu Fucheng rarely wore formal attire, Song Bai believed that he looked especially handsome in a suit. Prior to this, Song Bai had even studied five or six different ways of tying a tie. Whenever Lu Fucheng put on a necktie, Song Bai could feel a special aura between the two of them.

It is a kinship that runs deeper than love, ingrained into one's very bones. It is like that of a husband and wife who have weathered decades of storms together.

After browsing through the selection for a while, Song Bai ultimately chose a light blue Hermes necktie. The texture felt nice in his hands, and it was definitely a step up in class compared to the ties that Land Fucheng used to wear.

Then, it became waiting once again. There was still no news until the day of Lu Fucheng's birthday.

Song Bai became anxious and was unable to continue cooking, and even lost the plan for the birthday cake. He sat down on the sofa by himself and rewrapped the gift after unwrapping it.

He couldn't wait any longer in the end, so he called Ji Suiyun.

Has Designer Lu already come out? Maybe he couldn't answer the phone because his phone was dead. Feng Zhengqi has already picked a place for dinner tonight. Why don't you come over too?

Song Bai felt conflicted. Normally, he wouldn't attend this kind of occasion. But today is Lu Fucheng's birthday, and if he misses it, he'll be a year late. He's a little reluctant to let it go.

I'm unavailable to come over right now...

I don't mind, everyone is very casual about it. Besides, I also want to go and see my old classmates. You can come and accompany Mr. Lu, which will make me less redundant. Jisuiyun's words were just right, making Song Bai feel like he was being disrespectful if he refused again.

After agreeing to the request, Song Bai hung up the phone and soon received a string of addresses in his mobile mailbox.

Song Bai saw that it was still early, so he took a shower.

Lù Fúchéng had an anxious look on his face in the interrogation room, with blisters forming at the corners of his mouth. He didn't know how much longer he would have to stay here and wondered if Sòng Bái was already going crazy with anxiety all by himself.

Fortunately, a kind police officer informed him that there was no problem, only a slight delay in the system response. He was asked to work a little longer tonight, but he would certainly be able to leave soon.

Song Bai went over to deliver a gift to Lu Fucheng, and waited for a moment during dinner to secretly hand it to him. When passing it over, she wanted to touch Lu Fucheng's hand.

After dinner, it was probably very late, but they would definitely be able to make it before twelve. Song Bai would kiss Lu Fucheng's soft lips on the deserted streets, and although it was late, he was fortunate enough to catch up and wish him a happy 26th birthday.

The night scene in Shanghai is beautiful, with the elegance and composure of a century's accumulation, intermingling with the new-style lanterns. Song Bai stood for a moment in front of the hotel that Ji Suiyun had picked. He looked up at the historic Western-style building, which was once a place he couldn't find and couldn't enter. Paper and gold as well as the bustling Ten-Mile Foreign Concession were not for Song Bai. He could not bear the price of the prosperity. The only thing that was real to him was Lu Fucheng. They huddled together for warmth, fearless of any harsh winds or heavy rain.

After reporting Jì Suíyún's name, Sòng Bái was led into an elegant private room where Jì Suíyún was already waiting. A young and beautiful server pulled out Sòng Bái's chair before leaving at Jì Suíyún's request.

Mr. Ji... Song Bai's words were not yet finished, but Ji Suiyun interjected with an explanation.

They have some business to attend to in the studio, please have a seat first.

Song Bai carefully placed the packaged box he brought on the small table to the side. He sat in the chair with his hands and feet tied, feeling out of place in this upscale room with its sophisticated decoration.

What did you bring? asked Ji Siyun.

Song Baixiao smiled and became more lively as he talked about Lu Fucheng, 'This is the gift I brought for my brother.'

You two have such a great relationship, said Ji Suiyun with a slightly cold tone, but her good image was still maintained very well, and Song Bai didn't catch on.

Ji Suiyun is very skilled in using circumlocutions. Many times he is just guiding the conversation, watching the well-mannered exchange of questions and answers, but in reality it is still Song Bai who speaks the most.

Note: This translation is in American English.

Later on, even Song Bai became a little impatient. He kept glancing at his phone, wondering why Lu Fucheng still hadn't arrived at such a late hour.

Ji Suiyun could see his anxiety and took the initiative to say, 'I'll call Feng Zhengqi for you.' He took out his phone and walked out, but not before pushing the glass of juice that Song Bai had left untouched in front of him.

You've talked quite a bit, have a drink. I'll go make a phone call.

Without thinking too much about it, Song Bai immediately sent a WeChat message to Lu Fucheng while drinking a whole glass of juice, after Jisuiyun left the room.

Ji Suiyun still hasn't returned, and Song Bai has been waiting for a long time. His eyes began to lose focus. He shook his head abruptly, feeling that his reaction was beginning to slow down.

Song Bai lay limp against the icy edge of the table, his blinking slowing down until he eventually slipped into a deep slumber. He wasn't entirely sure what had happened before he drifted off, and the consequences of such a hazy state of mind could be either good or bad. After all, not being aware of danger meant the onset of pain would be delayed.

In fact, there isn't much difference.