RTCBM 42

“The hell is wrong with that guy’s brain, huh? You tell me, Dongzi.”

As soon as Mu Yuan got back to the sixth house, he told He Dongying everything that happened tonight.

He Dongying knew Mu Yuan was hopelessly slow when it came to this sort of thing. He had long given up trying to explain it. Even as an outsider, he could clearly see how Wen Shang felt. Yet the person involved remained totally unaware. There had to be a limit to how clueless someone could be.

With someone like Mu Yuan, the only way to get through was by being straightforward. Say what you mean. Trying to be subtle never worked. Unless you pointed right at the problem, he would never figure it out.

He Dongying flicked the last bit of ash into the tray and crushed the cigarette out. He shook his head and said, “It’s not him who has the problem. I think you’re the real blockhead here.”

Mu Yuan didn’t agree. He didn’t think he was the clueless one. He was about to argue, but He Dongying didn’t give him the chance. He went on, “Wen Shang’s not an idiot. That guy’s smart, emotionally and logically. Someone like him doesn’t just go around kissing people for no reason. There are plenty of men around him. Why do you think he kissed you, Muyu? Think about it. He likes you. That’s what this is.”

Mu Yuan blinked. His expression froze. He looked dazed. “Wait, what did you just say?”

He Dongying dragged a chair over, sat down, slapped his thigh, and broke it down for him.

“When you were in the hospital, he was the first one there. He brought you home-cooked meals every day, even stayed the night with you. Then he went on a business trip overseas and still found time to buy you a bunch of food and souvenirs. Every day he messaged you like a nagging old woman, telling you what you can or can’t eat. Even as your friend, I never went that far. So ask yourself, what’s he doing it all for? Just to be your buddy? Your brother? Who would believe that? I’m telling you, the guy likes you. No doubt about it.”

He Dongying tapped Mu Yuan’s forehead with a finger.

“Blockhead. Don’t say I didn’t give you a wake-up call. If you don’t feel the same way, then tell him straight. Make it clear and clean. It’ll be better for both of you.”

Mu Yuan hugged a pillow, sat on the sofa, and didn’t respond. He stared off for a long time, lost in thought.

—

Wen Shang was seated at his desk, looking through news reports online. He had spent the past few days digging into the history of the triad group known as Qi Tai.

Eight years ago, the city cracked a major drug trafficking case. After a long period of surveillance and information from inside sources, the police launched a sweep operation and captured a trafficking network that involved hundreds of members. The amount of meth they seized was measured in tons, making it the largest drug case in the city’s and even the province’s history.

What made the case even more disturbing was that the network didn’t just include organized crime syndicates. Some of the city’s police leadership were involved too. That kind of collusion between law enforcement and the underworld severely damaged Xinyue City’s public safety and reputation.

For years, the authorities had turned a blind eye to gray-area activities like sex work, underground casinos, and extortion, since those industries were tangled in layers of complex relationships. Many wealthy businessmen and political figures were also involved. But drugs were a different matter altogether. Once narcotics entered the picture, the government took a hardline stance. No tolerance, especially not when the police themselves were implicated. That scandal cost the department its credibility.

The central government decided to act. Law enforcement agencies across multiple provinces coordinated on what would become the city’s largest anti-narcotics operation ever.

The case became national news at the time, reported nonstop for nearly two weeks. The crackdown was successful, and it brought down one of the city’s most powerful criminal groups. Though the media didn’t name names, Wen Shang compared the timeline and determined that it lined up exactly with when Qi Tai disbanded.

Ever since they came back from Wang Hao’s place, something had been bothering Wen Shang. He was certain Wang Hao wasn’t a bad person and didn’t intend to hurt Mu Yuan. If he had, neither of them would’ve walked out of that apartment in one piece. Still, it was obvious he was hiding something.

Something didn’t sit right.

Wen Shang tried putting himself in Wang Hao’s shoes. If he were the one keeping a secret from Mu Yuan, it would likely be because he didn’t want Mu Yuan to find out something that could mess with his peace of mind, or even disrupt his life. He recalled what Wang Hao had said that night: “Just keep living your life the way it is now.” That line stuck with him. It felt like the key to everything.

Of course, it was just his own guess. No guarantee he was right.

He shut his laptop and left the desk, putting aside the Mu Huafeng matter for now.

He got up to move around and walked over to the glass tank to check on Yu Yuan’s food. That was the name he’d given the Argentine black-and-white tegu Mu Yuan had brought him. Every time he saw the lizard, he would naturally think of Mu Yuan. And every time he thought of Mu Yuan, he couldn’t help but remember that scene in the dessert shop, where that boy-next-door had sat there holding a bowl of taro balls. That image had burned itself into his memory.

Since bringing it home, Wen Shang had been meticulous about its care. It was only three months old and had just been moved into a new environment. For the first few days, he had been extremely cautious. Aside from going to work during the day, the moment he got home, he would check on Yu Yuan. He needed to make sure it had eaten, looked healthy, and hadn’t escaped the tank. His attention was constant. Sometimes, because he focused so much on it, his other pet, Nai Gai, would get jealous. That giant lizard had always enjoyed being the center of attention, and now it would sulk if ignored for too long.

Balancing his affection between the two had become part of Wen Shang’s daily routine.

At the moment, Yu Yuan was lying lazily on the basking platform, eyes half-closed, soaking up the warmth of the UVB lamp. It looked completely content, like a little king.

Wen Shang chuckled and took out his phone to snap a few close-up shots. He posted them in the reptile forum he frequented. Not long ago, he had created a thread in the giant lizard section titled “Second Son’s Growth Diary,” dedicated to sharing Yu Yuan’s development with other reptile enthusiasts.

As one of the moderators of the tegu section, Wen Shang was well known among reptile hobbyists for his extensive knowledge and years of experience raising tegus. Everyone knew he was devoted. For years, he had only ever raised one reptile, Nai Gai. So when the famously loyal mod suddenly adopted a second “child,” many were surprised.

Wen Shang updated Yu Yuan’s thread every day. His posts usually went like this: My second son finally ate today. So happy. Can’t wait for him to grow up. Or: He was really good today, obedient and had a great appetite. Just like my boy. Sometimes it was: He threw a tantrum again today, broke out of his enclosure, and pooped on my pillow. I’m so pissed…

When he was online, Wen Shang revealed a side of himself that few people ever got to see.

A new message came in on WeChat. It was from Mu Yuan. Wen Shang opened the chat. He had set the background to a photo of Mu Yuan sleeping with Nai Gai in his arms. No matter how many times he looked at it, he never got tired of it.

Dumbass: Where’s my son?

Wen Shang blinked, a bit puzzled, and replied: Who’s your son?

Dumbass: That tegu I gave you, obviously. I paid for him, didn’t I? That makes me at least half his dad.

Wen Shang suddenly felt like he and Mu Yuan were two dads raising a kid together. Smiling at the screen, he typed back: What are you doing?

Dumbass: Just finished a meeting at the club. Got nothing to do this afternoon. Want me to swing by and check on my son?

Wen Shang didn’t mind one bit.

Before coming over, Mu Yuan stopped by the reptile shop to buy a box of live dubia roaches for Yu Yuan. He also picked up a few frozen mice as a gift for Naigai.

This wasn’t Mu Yuan’s first time in Wen Shang’s room, but during his previous visits, something always came up, and he never got a proper look around. This time, he was determined to take his time and explore.

Wen Shang had gone downstairs to make tea, leaving Mu Yuan alone in the room. Naturally fidgety and prone to touching things, Mu Yuan spotted the display cabinet full of models. Unable to resist, he picked out the Hulkbuster and started playing with it alongside Nai Gai. Man and lizard were having a great time when Nai Gai suddenly got too excited. With its mouth wide open, it lunged forward and bit the model, snapping off one of its arms.

“Oh no!” Mu Yuan hurried to pick up the broken arm, fumbling to snap it back into place. After several failed attempts, he wiped the sweat off his forehead, glanced nervously toward the door, and quickly placed the Hulkbuster back in the cabinet, just like nothing had ever happened.

He crouched down again and pointed at Nai Gai, narrowing his eyes like he was lecturing a naughty child. “Why are you so aggressive? You’re just like your owner.”

Nai Gai didn’t understand a word, staring back at him and sticking out its tongue as usual.

“You’re both vicious. He’s Wen Daxiong, and you’re Wen Xiaoxiong ! From now on, I’m calling you Wen Xiaoxiong.”

“What’s this about big and little tits?” a voice suddenly said from the doorway. Wen Shang stood leaning there, looking at them.

“Cough, nothing,” Mu Yuan quickly shut up, stood up, and changed the subject. “I’m thirsty. Where’s my drink?”

Wen Shang placed the freshly brewed fruit tea on the table. Mu Yuan glanced at it and pouted. “I asked for coffee, didn’t I?”

“This one’s better for your stomach. You’ve been having issues. It’s warm and helps with digestion.”

Wen Shang poured a cup and slid it in front of him. When Mu Yuan just sat there blankly, he nudged him. “What are you spacing out for? Take it.”

Mu Yuan accepted the cup, then squatted back down to play with the lizard. After a while of silence, he suddenly looked up, eyes locked onto Wen Shang. He hesitated, but finally asked, “Hey… do you like me?”