BF Chapter 1

A car climbed up towards the mountaintop, the view becoming increasingly expansive as it ascended, an entire cityscape eventually unfolding beyond a dense canopy of tall green trees and shrubs.

 

A tropical cyclone had just passed through, and even amidst the city’s prosperity there lingered a faint air of desolation.

 

Xu Shen withdrew his gaze from the scenery and looked toward the front passenger seat.

 

Zhan Shili sat there replying to messages on his phone, his cold, austere profile betraying no emotion. His sharp brows pressed down, casting a shadow over his eyes, while its intensity was reined in by the naturally upturned corners of his lips, softening his overall demeanor.

 

A subtle contradiction.

 

Xu Shen first met Zhan Shili three months ago, outside his apartment building in Manhattan.

 

That evening, Xu Shen had returned home from work and saw that the man had been quietly waiting outside. Bathed in the dazzling afterglow of the sunset, he approached him, handed him a business card, and introduced himself as Xu Shiji’s assistant.

 

Xu Shiji, a prominent figure among the top ten richest people in Hong Kong, and also Xu Shen’s biological father whom he had not seen for twenty years or so.

 

That day, Xu Shen had asked Zhan Shili: “If I go back, there’ll definitely be people wanting to make trouble for me. Would Mr. Zhan help me?”

 

Zhan Shili simply said, “If you need anything, contact me anytime.”

 

Upon hearing this, Xu Shen smiled, committed those words to memory, and kept his business card.

 

About ten minutes later, the car arrived at its destination, passing through the villa’s front gates and parked under a cantilever carport.

 

Zhan Shili got out first. He walked around to the back seat and opened the door for Xu Shen, bending slightly to meet his eyes.

 

“Young Master Shen, we’ve arrived.”

 

Xu Shen looked at him, pausing for a moment before saying, “Mr. Zhan, you can just call me Seren.”

 

Zhan Shili nodded and stepped aside: “You can get down now.”

 

Xu Shen climbed out of the car.

 

Just then, Zhan Shili suddenly reached out, very naturally smoothing out a slight wrinkle in his shirt collar.

 

Xu Shen turned his head slightly, looking into his eyes.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Zhan Shili withdrew his hand calmly.

 

“It’s my job.”

 

He was Xu Shiji’s assistant; doing such things went without saying.

 

The butler brought along several servants to welcome Xu Shen inside, giving him a brief introduction of the situation within the household.

 

Xu Shen paused and glanced back, and all he saw was Zhan Shili getting back into the car and driving off.

 

It was only a little past four, and Xu Shiji was still out and had not yet returned—most of his family were absent.

 

Xu Shen, this newly arrived young master, was left in a sitting room, drinking coffee and eating pastries as he blankly stared out at the scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

 

Beyond it lay a garden and a waterfall that rushed down, cascading into a koi pond below. Across from the pond stood a tall ginkgo tree, which, having withstood a typhoon’s assault, was left as nothing more than withered branches and leaves. Every so often a leaf drifted down, falling into the water and carried away by the current.

 

Xu Shen absentmindedly counted them. By the time he reached somewhere past ten, he heard voices echo from the entrance.

 

“Young Master Shen? What Young Master Shen? He moved in today?”

 

“Second Young Madam, Master had mentioned it at dinner two days prior, that Young Master Shen had returned.”

 

A glamorously dressed lady in pointed high heels entered, casually tossing her coat to the maid who had quickly followed after. As she passed the sitting room, her gaze swept arrogantly across Xu Shen, looking him up and down critically.

 

Xu Shen remained seated, calmly meeting her stare.

 

The lady gave a disdainful sneer before heading upstairs without saying a word.

 

Xu Shen quickly matched the name to the face: This was Lin Meina, wife of the second son Xu Ziren. He then turned his attention back to the view outside.

 

Dusk had slowly settled over the city, the evening glow enveloping the buildings, reflecting a mysterious radiance on the towering skyscrapers as countless lights began to twinkle in the shadows.

 

Sitting on a mansion atop the mountain, looking down at this city was truly a completely unique experience.

 

Xu Shen watched intently, so mesmerized he nearly lost track of time.

 

The Xu Family members gradually returned after seven o’clock, one after another.

 

What was once a tranquil villa became lively in an instant: several women were chatting idly in the living room, praising and showing off their bags and jewelry to one another; teenagers laid on the sofa, playing on their phones with faces full of impatience; and toddlers ran around the living room, clamouring and making noise.

 

Xu Shiji had married three wives, fathering five sons, the eldest being well over forty and the youngest just having turned five. As for Xu Shen, this illegitimate son, he should be considered the fourth young master, although most of the Xu Family scoffed at this.

 

Xu Shen remained seated in the sitting room—despite being the star of the welcome banquet that evening, he was tacitly ignored by everyone.

 

He couldn’t have seemed to care less; upon finishing his cup of coffee, he just asked the maid to refill it.

 

A gold coin he had been idly rolling between his fingers slipped onto the floor. Xu Shen bet down to pick it up, only to find that someone was faster than him.

 

A pale, slender hand retrieved the coin and held it out to him.

 

Xu Shen lifted his eyes. It was a thin, refined man in a wheelchair–not much older than him—looking at him with a faint smile: “So you’re Ah Shen?”

 

Xu Shen took the gold coins back, nodding slightly: “Third Brother.”

 

Xu Zikang subtly observed him. Xu Shen remained calm, not avoiding the other’s gaze.

 

Xu Zikang asked him, “I heard you used to work in New York?”

 

“I’ve been working at a consulting firm on Wall Street since graduation,” Xu Shen replied simply. “I just resigned last month.”

 

Xu Zikang said, “No wonder father said you were very capable.”

 

Xu Shen smiled, but Xu Zikang found something oddly unsettling about that smile, unsure if it was just his imagination.

 

However, it was only a fleeting feeling. Xu Shen said softly, “Is that so?”

 

Xu Zikang hesitated before asking, “Now that you’re back… are you adjusting alright?”

 

Xu Shen thought for a moment: “It’s been fine. I didn’t leave until I was nine. Although I don’t remember most of what happened when I was little, I can adapt eventually.”

 

“That’s true. If you run into any trouble, you can let me know.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Xu Shen’s gaze drifted downward, stopping at Xu Zikang’s legs, where the portion of his ankles that were visible beneath his blanket appeared excessively thin due to years of mobility issues.

 

A severe congenital heart disease had prevented his third brother from living a normal life, but the Xu Family was wealthy enough to maintain an excellent quality of life for him, extending his life several decades longer than that of other patients.

 

Noticing where Xu Shen was looking, Xu Zikang pulled down the thin blanket covering his legs and said frankly, “My heart condition isn’t good, and complications have made it impossible for me to walk.”

 

Xu Shen’s eyes held no apology nor sympathy. Meeting his gaze, he asked, “Third Brother, did we meet when we were little?”

 

Xu Zikang’s eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. “No, I don’t think so…”

 

Xu Shen smiled slightly again. “I just feel like I’ve seen you before somewhere, but I don’t exactly recall anything from when I was a child.”

 

For some reason, Xu Zikang instinctively felt unwell and curled his fingers. Just as he was about to say something, a commotion came from the hall: a drunken man entered, and was cursing the servants at the top of his lungs.

 

Seeing this, Xu Zikang frowned. “If father sees brother like this, he’ll scold him again.”

 

Xu Shen turned his head and saw Xu Zijie, the eldest son of the Xu family. He had stubble on his chin, eyes sunken, face flushed bright red from alcohol. Drunk and incoherent, he had just smashed a vase in the hall.

 

Some complained, while others watched the drama. Xu Zijie’s wife got up in a hurry, trying to stop him from continuing the tantrum: “Your fourth uncle just came home today, don’t make a scene. Father-in-law will be angry again if he sees you like this, you—”

 

Smack!

 

Xu Zijie slapped her hard across the face.

 

The entire room fell silent for a moment. The woman covered her face, tears welling up in her eyes, but stubbornly refused to let them spill.

 

“Who’s come home?” Xu Zijie’s bloodshot eyes rolled around, landing on Xu Shen in the sitting room and sneered, “Is it this bastard child? You people are actually taking him seriously? Father’s gone senile, to actually acknowledge that prostitute’s bastard. Isn’t he afraid people will laugh at the Xu Family once word gets out?”

 

Xu Shen acted as though he hadn’t heard a thing, continuing to sip his coffee as though none of this was his business.

 

“That’s not quite fair,” the Second Sister-in-law chuckled, brushing back her long, curly hair. “Fourth Uncle’s a top student who came back from Wall Street. Even father-in-law said he’s a talented one. He’s come back to bring honor to the Xu family. If you’re not convinced… doesn’t that just make you seem petty?”

 

Xu Zijie grew even angrier, swearing. He picked up another antique vase, prepared to smash it until…

 

—A hand shot out from behind and forcefully grabbed his wrist.

 

He spun around furiously, glaring at Zhan Shili who was restraining him: “Get lost—”

 

The insult died abruptly, only halfway through his mouth.

 

Xu Shiji was standing directly behind them, expression dark.

 

Zhan Shili calmly took the vase from Xu Zijie’s hand before releasing him. “Eldest Young Master, please calm down.”

 

Xu Zijie’s lips trembled as looked at Xu Shiji and stammered, “Dad…”

 

Xu Shiji ignored him completely and, face grim, ordered the butler to take him upstairs to sober up. The others got up, greeting Xu Shiji and Second Brother Xu Ziren, who had just returned.

 

Xu Shen let his gaze brush lightly over Zhan Shili before lowering his eyes, concealing the faint spark of amusement in his eyes.

 

Having had enjoyed the spectacle for a while, Qin Su, Xu Shiji’s youngest wife, rose to her feet, instructing the servants to clean up the mess. She gracefully walked forward, taking Xu Shiji’s arm and saying, “Shiji, Ah Shen is home now.”

 

Only then did Xu Shen step forward, taking the initiative to speak: “Dad, I’m Xu Shen.”

 

“Good,” Xu Shiji was very satisfied with his handsome appearance, and the discomfort from before disappeared. He patted his arm and said, “It’s good that you’re back.”

 

The banquet soon began.

 

Over dinner, Xu Shiji asked about Xu Shen’s life in the United States over the past few years. Xu Shen very patiently answered each question one by one as the rest of the family chimed in with jokes and flattering remarks, showing no trace of their previous indifference towards Xu Shen as they echoed his sentiments.

 

Besides the Xu Family, Xu Shiji’s two assistants also stayed for dinner. Many times throughout the meal, Xu Shen caught glimpses of Zhan Shili in the periphery of his vision—gentle, refined, and perfectly poised; compared to everyone else at the Xu Family table, he seemed more like an elegant young master than any of them.

 

After dinner, Xu Shiji called his assistant over and asked Xu Ziren to go to the study to discuss some matters, while everyone else eventually dispersed.

 

Xu Shen’s room was arranged to be on the second floor, and his luggage was already delivered to him earlier that morning.

 

Xu Shen entered the room, closing the door behind him. Opening several suitcases at once, he couldn’t be bothered to unpack. Instead, he reached into a hidden compartment of his carry-on and pulled out a business card, staring at the three neatly printed characters for a long while.

 

Zhan Shili, Nic.

 

The man who had once told him that he could contact him anytime if needed had never appeared again after that day. It had been Xu Shiji’s other assistant who had accompanied him to take a paternity test and handled all further contact. It wasn’t until today that he had finally seen Mr. Zhan again.

 

Just as before, there was a polite distance between them, but although he was untrustworthy, compared to the Xu Family, he was far less irritating.

 

The gold coin in his hand slipped from between his fingers, striking the floor with a clink! before rolling several times to a stop, bringing Xu Shen back to his senses.

 

As night fell completely, Xu Shen stepped out onto his bedroom balcony and stood silently in the cool evening breeze.

 

His gaze shifted down, and a few seconds later, he braced his hands against the railing, pushing off and vaulting over it with effortless ease, landing on the soft grass below.

 

The Xu Family’s estate was situated on one of the best locations on Victoria Peak and was also very large.

 

Xu Shen wandered through layers of shrubs until he stopped, catching sight of two figures in a corner of the artificial hill on the other side of the pond. Zhan Shili had bent down beside Xu Zikang’s wheelchair to talk. Then, Xu Zikang raised his hand and wrapped it around Zhan Shili’s neck, whispering sweet nothings into his ear.

 

Xu Shen’s gaze lingered, watching them intently.

 

Xu Zikang, who had his back to him, remained completely unaware of his presence. But Zhan Shili suddenly looked up and met his eyes directly, his calm gaze carrying an unmistakable twinge of scrutiny.

 

Standing in the night breeze, bathed in the dim glow of the lights, Xu Shen seemed to have a smile playing on his lips.

 

A moment later, he raised his right index finger to his lips, gently dragging his fingertip across them, never breaking eye contact.

 

The gesture was clearly suggestive; Xu Shen’s eyes, expression, and the upward curve of his lips… 

 

Every detail conveyed the same implication.

 

Zhan Shili understood—

 

This newly returned Fourth Young Master had stumbled upon his relationship with Xu Zikang, yet instead of showing surprise or shock, he had accepted it as though it were perfectly ordinary and even deliberately teased him…

 

Zhan Shili also smiled, his lips curving upwards.

 

This was the first time Xu Shen had seen this person smile. He was holding his third brother intimately in his arms, but his eyes never left Xu Shen.

 

Then, he saw Zhan Shili raise a finger to his own lips, repeating the exact same gesture, and then, as if on purpose, silently mouthed a word to him: “Nope.“

 

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t/n: pspsps, the last nope is a little special and also originally in english, so i bolded and italicized it ^^

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