HR Chapter 4

Chapter 04: The Chase

Lu Qinyuan rarely went out. Aside from his mortal enemies and family, few people truly recognized his face. Therefore, Lu Qinyuan boldly took Xiao Qi with him, followed by Shu Xiu and Zhu Yan, swaggering into the mall.

As soon as they entered the mall, they attracted a lot of attention. Putting everything aside, Zhu Yan was like a mountain standing there. Lu Qinyuan told Zhu Yan to wait in the car. Zhu Yan was a hundred times unwilling but dared not disobey Lu Qinyuan’s order. Shu Xiu patted his muscular arm, consoling him with a touch of emotion, “You’re too conspicuous, wait in the car. I’ll call you if anything happens.”

So, the mountain took three steps forward and glanced back repeatedly as he returned to the car.

The three of them first went to the clothing section to buy clothes for Xiao Qi. They tried for a long time but couldn’t settle on an outfit. Either it was too big, too loose, didn’t suit Lu Qinyuan’s taste, or didn’t match Xiao Qi’s preferences. Finally, they reluctantly chose a few sets of clothes and had the sales assistant wrap them up. Then they went to the shoe section to pick out shoes. Xiao Qi didn’t have high demands for shoes. He tried them on, and if the size was right, he bought them, not wasting much time. Lu Qinyuan asked Xiao Qi to change his clothes, but Xiao Qi refused, only changing into a pair of suitable shoes.

After resolving Xiao Qi’s needs, the three of them slowly strolled around. Xiao Qi seemed to have never been to a mall before and was interested in everything he saw. He reached out to touch, smell, and even secretly taste things when people weren’t paying attention, a constant smile on his face, like a child who hadn’t grown up.

Lu Qinyuan and Shu Xiu followed behind, chatting idly. Shu Xiu was very worried about Xiao Qi’s background: “Why don’t we have Bird of Paradise investigate? Cheng Ruoyu is obsessed with beauty to the point of madness and doesn’t care about the identity of the Doll at all. Has he caused too few troubles in the past?”

“You’re biased against Ruoyu.” Lu Qinyuan wasn’t worried about Cheng Ruoyu messing things up but was very interested in Xiao Qi’s eyes. Based on this alone, he had to investigate thoroughly: “Have Mo Qiu investigate privately and contact me directly.”

Shu Xiu nodded: “I’ll arrange this…” Just as he was about to say something, his phone suddenly rang. Zhu Yan’s serious voice came through, very low: “Black Wolf and Addict Phoenix have gone in.”

“Okay, we’re coming out immediately.” Hanging up the phone, Shu Xiu said with a solemn expression: “Brother, Black Wolf is here. Do you want to avoid him?”

“Together with Addict Phoenix?” Seeing Shu Xiu nod, the corner of Lu Qinyuan’s lips curled into a mocking smile: “Don’t worry, he’s here to please someone, he doesn’t have time to bother with us.” After speaking, he looked for Xiao Qi but couldn’t find him. He was clearly just there, but in the blink of an eye, he was gone. Lu Qinyuan’s face darkened. His first thought was that Xiao Qi had escaped. He gestured to Shu Xiu, and the two of them split up to search.

Lu Qinyuan’s expression was calm, his deep black eyes were sharp, and a towering rage was hidden beneath a calm exterior. He searched each shelf one by one, his steps steady, unconsciously quickening his pace.

The longer the time passed, the more Lu Qinyuan’s suspicion of Xiao Qi grew. In his heart, he struggled to find some excuse to defend Xiao Qi, even though he didn’t believe it himself. Finally, he fiercely thought that if he found Xiao Qi, he would gouge out his eyes. Blind, so he wouldn’t run around, and could stay in place waiting for him to find him.

Lu Qinyuan’s aura almost instantly changed. Shu Xiu glanced back uneasily, gazing at the hurrying figure, his eyes full of worry. When had Lu Qinyuan become so concerned about someone outside of himself? Just a Doll, was it worth being so anxious? If he was lost, wouldn’t that be for the best? That’s what he thought, but Shu Xiu was still doing his best to search.

After searching for so long without finding him, Shu Xiu also became anxious. He inadvertently glanced to the side, and a familiar corner of clothing flashed into his eyes. Shu Xiu took a few steps toward that side and saw Xiao Qi curled up in the blind spot of his vision behind the left shelf, several strings of bagged milk tea hanging on him, his head lowered, not knowing what he was doing, seeming to be asleep. Just as he was about to step out, a familiar voice suddenly came, saying with concern, “Whose child is this? Why are they sleeping here?”

It was Addict Phoenix, Lu Qingshuang. Black Wolf, Lu Jianwei, should be with him. Shu Xiu withdrew his steps and went back to find Lu Qinyuan. Across a shelf, Shu Xiu saw Lu Qinyuan and quickly made a hand gesture.

After searching several shelves, still not finding Xiao Qi, Lu Qinyuan had already determined in his heart that Xiao Qi had escaped. His face was calm, but the oppressive aura he exuded was becoming more and more intense. People who happened to pass by were frightened and avoided him. He was just about to go back to find Shu Xiu. If Shu Xiu hadn’t found him either, he would issue a kill order. He saw Shu Xiu making a hand gesture, saying that he had been found, but Lu Jianwei and Lu Qingshuang had beaten him to it.

Lu Qinyuan quickly walked over, not immediately stepping out. Lu Qingshuang’s voice came from behind the shelf: “What a beautiful child.” The casual voice was slightly hoarse, but still melodious and charming.

Then a low voice, with a bit of flattery but not lacking in authority, echoed: “If you like him, take him back and keep him as a toy.”

Lu Qinyuan had heard this voice for nearly thirty years. He had suffered from this person’s orders and twisted whims, even facing death. But all Lu Qinyuan could do was use all his ability to resist and protect himself, but he couldn’t launch a fatal counterattack, because this person was the father who gave him half his life.

Lu Qingshuang said, “He’s a person, not a pet.” The tone was still gentle, but the words were full of dissatisfaction.

Lu Jianwei said indifferently, “So what if he’s a person? As long as you have the ability, you can treat a person like a dog, and you can also treat a dog like a person.”

“Yes, if you want to keep one, you can ask Lu Jianwei, he’s very experienced.” Lu Qinyuan pressed his palm down at Shu Xiu, signaling him not to come out, and strode out, smiling as he took over Lu Jianwei’s words. The condescending gaze lowered its height to meet Lu Qingshuang’s eyes, and he said coldly, “That child is mine.” Lu Qingshuang immediately released his hand that was hooking Xiao Qi’s chin, as if electrocuted, and stood next to Lu Jianwei.

Lu Qinyuan lowered his head and carefully examined Xiao Qi’s condition. Xiao Qi’s eyes were tightly closed, his sleeping face peaceful. A little bruise on his forehead had a bit of blood seeping out. The blood had dried and congealed at the wound, like a speck of gorgeous cinnabar lying on fair, almost transparent skin, the contrast of red and white a little unsettling. He asked, “What happened?”

He didn’t name anyone, but Lu Qingshuang knew he was asking him. He pursed his lips and didn’t answer.

Lu Jianwei could clearly see the vivid tattoo and the Doll House’s mark below the corner of Xiao Qi’s eye, but according to the information he had, Lu Qinyuan never touched this kind of thing. So, was it because he hadn’t met someone he liked, and now he suddenly had a surge of interest because this one was the one he liked? Finally, someone could replace that little thing’s position? That would be interesting.

Lu Jianwei narrowed his eyes, a hint of a smile on his lips, a bit of undisguised sharpness: “Lu Qinyuan, you really are my son.”

Lu Qinyuan picked up Xiao Qi, not even looking at Lu Jianwei, glancing at Lu Qingshuang standing next to him, his tone even: “What, are you mute? I asked you a question and you didn’t answer. You don’t even know how to greet your older brother after all this time. Did Lu Jianwei teach you manners to be eaten by dogs?” Lu Qingshuang’s originally pale face turned even whiter. He pursed his lips, unwillingly calling out, “Brother.” He took a step back and hid directly behind Lu Jianwei.

Lu Qingshuang had a feminine appearance, completely inheriting his mother’s beauty. He was already stunning, but he had a pair of peach blossom eyes, adding an unparalleled intoxication, every frown and smile charming and enchanting. However, his temperament was aloof and noble, his personality solitary and introverted. These two extreme attitudes intertwined, arousing the desire to conquer and the curiosity to explore.

At this time, Lu Qingshuang silently retreated, his head lowered, his eyes docile, looking pitiful. His abnormally pale complexion was fragile, as if it would shatter at a touch.

If it were Cheng Ruoyu, he would definitely find a way to kidnap this person to his Doll House, dress him up beautifully, and show him off everywhere.

Lu Qinyuan’s words were barbed, with hidden meanings. Lu Jianwei naturally understood the meaning, his face suddenly sinking, and he rebuked in a low voice: “It’s not your turn to manage Qingshuang’s upbringing. Manage yourself.”

“Of course, I have to manage myself well. I’m not like Lu Qingshuang, who has you personally teaching and doting on him.” The last two words were light and clear, full of sarcasm. Lu Qinyuan sighed slightly: “The injury left behind last time hasn’t healed yet, and I haven’t seen you ask about it. Being scolded by you like this, the wound is starting to hurt. It was supposed to heal in half a month, but now I’m afraid I’ll have to recuperate for a full month before I dare to go out, otherwise I won’t dare to meet you.”

The words “doting on him” seemed to be nailed into Lu Qingshuang’s heart. His body trembled violently, and the color drained even further from his face. Lu Jianwei grabbed Lu Qingshuang’s hand with one hand to prevent him from retreating further, and sneered: “Weren’t you seen even though you didn’t dare to meet? You don’t act like an older brother at all. Qingshuang doesn’t have an older brother like you.”

Lu Qinyuan followed with a laugh, his eyes fixed on Lu Qingshuang: “Lu Qingshuang probably doesn’t want a father like you either, right? Right, Lu Qingshuang?”

Lu Qingshuang’s face was pale, not nodding or shaking his head. Lu Qinyuan smiled even more happily: “That’s a tacit agreement.”

“Your reverse psychology doesn’t work on me. You should consider how to walk out of here standing up before you manage your brother.” Lu Jianwei glanced at Lu Qingshuang’s pale face, didn’t say anything more harsh, and quickly left with Lu Qingshuang.

Lu Qinyuan’s voice shot into Lu Qingshuang’s heart like an arrow: “Having a younger brother like this is my shame.” Lu Qingshuang paused, his hand hanging by his side clenching into a fist, trembling slightly.

Lu Jianwei was even scarier than the most ferocious wolf. Although Shu Xiu despised Lu Jianwei in his heart, he was terrified of him from the bottom of his heart, like a mouse and a cat, not even daring to meet him. He didn’t dare to speak until he couldn’t see Lu Jianwei’s shadow: “Brother, Zhu Yan is waiting for us at the back door, let’s go quickly.”

Shu Xiu had already contacted Zhu Yan while the two were confronting each other, protecting Lu Qinyuan as he retreated toward the agreed-upon place. Lu Qinyuan followed behind, the wound on his waist faintly aching, as if it was bleeding. But his steps didn’t falter, following Shu Xiu without the slightest hesitation.

Shu Xiu wasn’t old, but he had been through life and death with him for a full ten years. Ten years, while other children were still snuggling in their parents’ arms, Shu Xiu had just killed someone and was leaning against the wall, vomiting.

The first time they met, Shu Xiu was wearing ill-fitting clothes, skinny and small, following behind his subordinate. As soon as he saw him, tears rolled down from his watery eyes, and he sobbed, calling him brother. Lu Qinyuan raised his head, glanced at him, frowned, and said without emotion: “I don’t accept tears here, I don’t sell sympathy. If you want to stay, let me see what value you have.”

Coincidentally, they caught a cop at this time. Lu Qinyuan had people bring him over, threw a knife to Shu Xiu, and said with a smile: “Kill him, that’s where your value lies.”