LRPB Ch1

A midsummer afternoon, at the Jin Mao Tower.

A red Ferrari tore through the streets and then, with a neat drift and a sharp squeal of tires, came to a steady stop at the main entrance. A young man in jeans and a baseball cap got out, idly twirling the car keys in his fingers. Amidst the curious and envious gazes of passersby, he strode with long legs into the revolving door.

This commercial building, situated in the bustling heart of the city, was splendid and magnificent. As soon as he entered the lobby, the air conditioning blasted out as if it were free. The young man stood before the card-swipe security gate, patted his pockets, and then rubbed the goosebumps that were practically jumping out on his arms. He turned to the receptionist. “Hey beautiful, forgot my card. Mind swiping me in?”

The receptionist was clearly new. She said blankly, “I’m sorry sir, visitors must register first. Who are you looking for?”

The young man half-lowered his sunglasses and gave her a wry look.

He was quite tall, definitely over 1.8 meters, and very handsome. Though his whole face wasn’t visible, his slightly raised eyebrows and deep eyes were enough to make a heart flutter.

The receptionist couldn’t help but blush. Before she could say anything, he had already turned around and pulled out his phone. “…Hey, bro? I’m here to see you. Forgot my card. Tell your cute little receptionist to swipe me in!”

He hung up without even waiting for a reply and proceeded to light a cigarette.

“S-Sorry sir, no smoking in the lobby—”

The young man said nonchalantly, “Just a couple of drags. Relax, beautiful.”

“But, but…”

Just then, the elevator chimed and slowly opened. A man in a black suit stepped out.

The receptionist turned, and the color drained from her face. “C-CEO!”

Though called “CEO,” Chu He was actually very young, looking to be just over thirty. He had a lean, well-toned physique, dressed in a well-tailored black suit and white shirt. His face didn’t have the sharp-edged handsomeness of his brother’s; it was more pale and subdued. When he wasn’t speaking, he appeared even more low-key, giving no hint that he was the head of a renowned corporation on the wealth list.

He swiped his card, walked through the glass security gate, and stood before his brother.

The two brothers looked at each other for a moment. Chu He reached out, took the cigarette from his brother’s mouth, and handed it to the receptionist.

“No smoking in the lobby,” he said flatly, then instructed the receptionist, “His name is Zhang Shun. He’s my brother. Let him in directly from now on.”

His voice, contrary to his plain appearance, was very pleasant—low, husky, and very steady, with an air of unflappability. The receptionist was so nervous she forgot to blush. She hurriedly took the cigarette and bowed repeatedly. “Yes, CEO! I’m sorry, I’ll remember!”

Chu He nodded to her and turned toward the elevator.

Zhang Shun followed, waving to the receptionist as he left. “Sorry, beautiful! I’ll treat you to tea later!”

The receptionist stumbled. Seeing no one around, she quickly ran to the duty room and frantically shook her colleague, who was napping in the back. “Sister Wang, Sister Wang! Our CEO has a brother? Did you know?”

Her colleague looked up, sleepy-eyed. “Oh, you mean Second Young Master Zhang. He’s here again? Don’t forget to swipe his card for him…”

The receptionist couldn’t contain her excitement. “But isn’t our CEO’s surname Chu? Where did a brother with the surname Zhang come from? And did you know he’s as handsome as a movie star, Sister Wang!”

Her colleague immediately motioned for her to lower her voice. “Are you trying to get yourself killed, little girl?! Are you afraid people can’t hear you?!”

Being two years older, the colleague glanced at the empty front desk before whispering, “Our previous chairman’s surname was Zhang. That Second Young Master Zhang is his only son. This current CEO, he took his mother’s surname. They say that when the old Chairman Zhang remarried, he was the son his wife brought into the marriage…”

The elevator ascended smoothly, the mirrored walls gleaming under the brilliant lights.

In the small space, there were only the two of them. Zhang Shun took off his sunglasses and stared provocatively at Chu He’s reflection in the mirror. His brother had no intention of speaking, his gaze fixed forward, his face as still as water, without a hint of expression.

“Aren’t you going to ask what I’m here for?” Zhang Shun couldn’t hold back any longer.

“For money.”

“Hey—can’t I just be here to see my dear brother?”

“How much?”

Zhang Shun’s expression froze. After a moment, he said, “…Five million.”

Chu He finally turned his head to glance at his brother. “For what?”

His skin was very pale, almost translucent under the lights. His lips were thin, giving him a cold and heartless look. Unlike Zhang Shun’s handsome, universally likable face, this kind of appearance would likely make it difficult for people to feel close to him.

How did a person like this find people willing to die for him back then, to seize control of the group from his own father?

Zhang Shun pondered absently and said casually, “To have fun. That cellist from the Central Orchestra, I bought her a car last time and spent all my New Year’s money. Now she’s making a fuss about going to some auction. Mayor Huang’s nephew and a few others will be there. I reckon it’ll cost at least a few million this time…”

Chu He said flatly, “What about Fu Ya?”

“Who?” Zhang Shun paused for a second before realizing. “Oh, that professor’s well-bred daughter you introduced me to—damn, there’s something wrong with her brain. She carries a book everywhere she goes. She doesn’t know how to have fun and is too uptight. I can’t handle that type. I think she’s a perfect match for you. You two can wrap yourselves in blankets every night and discuss life and ideals, hahahaha…”

Chu He stared motionlessly at his brother, his eyes like glass beads under the light, transparent.

Zhang Shun, still fearless, nonchalantly draped an arm over his brother’s shoulder and asked with a wicked grin, “I’m not just saying, big brother, but that type of girl… did you just send her over from your own room? Do me a favor and take her back. Your little brother really isn’t short on company—oh right, don’t say I don’t respect you. I didn’t lay a finger on that girl. I saved her for you, haha!”

Chu He raised a hand and pushed his brother’s arm away.

Just then, the elevator stopped at the finance department’s floor. The doors opened, and Chu He walked out, his face as still as water. Zhang Shun, still not knowing when to stop, followed behind him, teasing, “You two must have a lot to talk about! If talking isn’t exciting enough, your little brother can lend you a couple of instructional videos! If that doesn’t work, we can find a doctor. I mean, you’re so young, but you walk around with a perpetually drained look…”

Chu He arrived at the finance office. Ignoring the colorful expressions on the faces of the accountants outside, he knocked directly on the finance manager’s door and said, “Give him five hundred thousand. Put it on my account.”

The manager immediately stood up. “Yes, CEO. Check or transfer?”

“Check.”

Just as Zhang Shun swaggered in, he heard and asked, “Didn’t I say five million? Why did it become five hundred thousand?”

Chu He didn’t answer. The manager felt the air pressure in the room drop sharply, as if he were sitting on pins and needles. In the time it took to write the check, his back was soaked in cold sweat.

A moment later, Chu He took the check and threw it at his brother.

“Leave the four and a half million for me to find a doctor,” he said coldly. “Didn’t you know seeing a doctor is expensive these days?”

Ten minutes later, Zhang Shun came down, humming a little tune. He whistled at the receptionist as he passed the front desk.

“Hey beautiful, didn’t get much this time. I’ll treat you next time!”

The receptionist wasn’t fond of such frivolous young men, but seeing how handsome he was, her young face couldn’t help but blush. Before she could shy away, Zhang Shun had already sauntered off with his long legs.

That night, when Chu He returned home, he could hear deafening music from the villa from a distance.

He took off his suit jacket and handed it to the butler, asking, “What is the Second Young Master up to again?”

The old butler had watched Zhang Shun grow up in this house for many years and was naturally protective. He said carefully, “The Second Young Master is with friends, having a gathering with some friends…”

Chu He shook his head, a gesture of either mockery or amusement, and said softly, “…Friends.”

He was wearing a white shirt and black suit pants, no tie. He unbuttoned his collar as he walked toward the main hall. The old butler, wanting to divert his attention, followed closely behind. “Oh, and Young Master, the rumor you asked me to investigate this morning has been figured out—it was Auntie Liu from the kitchen who got up at night and saw a white shadow lingering outside the Second Young Master’s door. She got scared and screamed…”

Chu He, while rolling his sleeves up to his elbows, asked, “What did she see?”

The old butler didn’t dare to mention anything about ghosts and spirits, so he said cleverly, “Auntie Liu’s old eyes are failing. It’s possible she saw wrong. I’ll go to the servants’ quarters and have a word. I’ll make sure they stop spreading rumors.”

Chu He nodded. “I know what it is.” As he spoke, he was passing the main hall. Leaning over the railing, he saw a small dance floor below. The dance floor was a decadent scene of neon lights, with a few young men and women shaking their heads wildly. Zhang Shun was lounging on a small sofa, with a boy of snowy complexion and delicate features nestled against him like a delicate bird.

Chu He leaned out and shouted, “Zhang Shun!”

Several people below looked up. Chu He asked sharply, “Who did you bring home to spend the night last night? Don’t run around naked in the hallway in the middle of the night!”

With that, he turned and walked away.

The gazes of all his dissolute friends instantly turned to Zhang Shun. Zhang Shun, having been falsely accused of streaking, was baffled. After a moment, he said, “…I didn’t?”

Chu He returned to his study, called for a bowl of sweet soup on the internal line, and pulled a yellowed copy of The Child Holding a Corpse from the bookshelf to read.

He hadn’t been reading for long when there were two soft knocks on the study door.

Chu He turned a page and said, “Come in.”

The door clicked open. Footsteps entered softly, and the door was closed behind them. The person seemed very cautious. After a long moment, they walked to the large desk, and a fresh and tender voice said, “Young Master, your sweet soup.”

Chu He looked up. The boy who had been nestled against Zhang Shun downstairs was now standing before him.

It was no wonder that even the worldly Zhang Shun would bring him home. The boy was truly beautiful. His large eyes were so bewitching they seemed ready to drip water at any moment. His figure was as bonelessly supple as a pre-pubescent girl. Just by standing there, a bewitching, foxy charm emanated from every inch of his skin, intoxicating people.

Chu He’s gaze returned to his book. “Just put it down.”

The boy put the bowl down. After a moment’s hesitation, he gracefully knelt on the floor, took a few steps on his knees to the side of the armchair, and looked up with a soft voice. “Young Master.”

Chu He’s face showed no sign of welcome or unwelcome. He didn’t even spare him a glance.

The boy steeled himself and said, “Young Master, my name is Xiao Hu. I’ve only been with the Second Young Master for a few days. I’ve come to pay my respects.”

This was said very cleverly, covering several points—first, I’m not here to bother you without reason, I’m here politely and tactfully to greet you; second, I’m not late in paying my respects, because I’ve only been with the Second Young Master for a few days, and I’m already here, which shows I respect you.

A hint of a wry smile appeared on Chu He’s lips. “Do you know who I am?”

“I don’t.”

“And you kneel?”

Xiao Hu smiled. “Though my eyes are poor and I can’t recognize your true form, I can still recognize the demonic aura on you. You have already transcended our demon race and are close to cultivating into a demon. What’s wrong with receiving a bow from me?”

Now Chu He was truly intrigued. He put down his book, leaned forward slightly, and stared into Xiao Hu’s soul-stirring large eyes, asking with interest, “Your fox clan—I know one of your seniors. He wasn’t much better looking than you. How come he wasn’t as smooth a talker as you?”

Xiao Hu giggled. “If you find my humble appearance even barely acceptable, I am naturally willing to serve you with all my heart, Young Master…” As he spoke, he moved closer, and a soft, snowy-white hand gently rested on Chu He’s chest, then fumbled downwards, unbuttoning the expensive fabric of his shirt one by one.

Chu He didn’t stop him, nor did he move. He just leaned back in the large armchair and watched the fox demon at work. After a while, he let out a long sigh, it was unclear whether of mockery or deep feeling. “Your fox clan has a thousand faces, just like humans. There are obedient and sensible ones like you, and then there are the arrogant and untamable ones, born with a sharp tongue…”

Xiao Hu smiled sweetly. “I wonder which senior offended you back then?”

Chu He said leisurely, “Oh, that was before I fell into demonhood… Do you know Hu Qing?”

Xiao Hu froze.

In the next second, his face turned deathly pale, as if all the blood had been drained from his body.

At that moment, a mass of red and black energy slowly rose behind him, rapidly condensing in mid-air, vaguely forming a human shape. The shape became clearer and clearer, and finally, a foot stepped out of the mass of energy. A man dressed entirely in black appeared out of thin air, as if tearing space itself!

Xiao Hu turned his head, trembling.

The crushing pressure, like a great mountain pressing down, forced him to bow his back. Even lifting his head was exceptionally difficult. The oxygen in the room was instantly sucked out. In the extreme suffocation, the fox demon even forgot his instinctive seductive arts. He could only hear a roaring in his ears, his eyeballs almost bulging from their sockets—

He saw the talisman-like red markings on the man’s face.

“De…” he heard the clear chattering of his teeth, “Demon Lord…”

Chu He nonchalantly gathered his lapels and said, “I forgot to tell you. If you want to become a demon too, looking for me is useless. It’s faster to find him.”

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