Chapter 54
“Wow, does this really work?”
Yanyan was still covering his face as he leaned closer. “You really can’t tell what I’m thinking anymore?”
Si Jingce: “Can’t guess.”
Having found a way to counter Si Jingce’s strange ability, Yanyan decided he wouldn’t let him see his face all night.
The next second, Si Jingce directly pulled his hands away and gave him a firm kiss on the lips.
Yanyan: QAQ!
“You’re cheating.”
“Mm, I’m cheating,” Si Jingce admitted readily, looking at him.
“I agree. If you want to go, then go.”
But—
Si Jingce had one condition: “You can’t go alone. You must bring someone with you.”
…
Early the next morning, Si Jingce had just finished putting the dishes into the kitchen when he saw Yanyan squatting by the balcony like a little mushroom.
Several sparrows stood outside, seemingly whispering with him.
Si Jingce withdrew his gaze, brought out a ladder, and carefully cleaned the recessed ceiling trim.
In the corner, he laid down a soft blanket and placed Yanyan’s favorite coconut-shell bird nest on top.
By the time he finished, Yanyan was still squatting at the balcony.
Si Jingce walked over. The birds outside were startled and flew off. Following the movement, he looked over—and saw, in front of Yanyan… an egg.
Si Jingce’s pupils shrank: ?
A pale white bird egg lay quietly in the flowerpot, with a few sticks loosely arranged beside it—so crude it was almost funny.
“This is…?” Si Jingce asked.
“A spotted dove’s nest and her baby.”
Si Jingce stared at the few sticks for a long time, unable to even recognize it as a nest.
…Truly a master architect of the bird world.
The spotted dove clearly liked this flowerpot. Si Jingce had originally planned to plant flowers Yanyan liked here in spring—but that plan would have to wait.
He didn’t dare move the pot and instead asked, “You’ve been here all morning. What were you whispering about with them?”
“I asked Crow in the group where Luo Huoxi lives.” Yanyan waved his phone, then delivered some bad news. “He doesn’t live there anymore. He already moved.”
Si Jingce checked the chat history and saw their conversation.
[ Crow ]: It’s a hen big residential area, lives on the sixth flour, outside there are seven kinds of colors of flowers, arranged in a square.
[ Yanyan ]: Okay, I’ll ask my bird intelligence network.
The typos were painful to look at.
Based on Crow’s vague memory, Si Jingce managed to match it to a possible neighborhood. He pulled up a picture and showed Yanyan. “Is this the one your ‘bird intelligence network’ found?”
Yanyan nodded. “Looks like it.”
Good—at least they weren’t mistaken.
“The housing prices here are high. Luo Huoxi is greedy and stingy. If he really decided to move, it only means one thing…”
Si Jingce said, “He’s about to run.”
He opened Weibo—Luo Huoxi’s last post was from last month.
Gemstone TV showed his last livestream was three days ago.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Si Jingce went to open it and found Yunduan standing outside.
Behind him was someone in a hat and mask…
It was Lei Dian.
“Bro, I really had no choice,” Yunduan said awkwardly. “I could only come to you.”
Lei Dian showing up surprised Si Jingce.
He remembered that not long ago, this guy had been hyping a CP with Luo Huoxi online… which didn’t go anywhere.
What happened after, he didn’t bother to follow.
Once inside, Lei Dian took off his hat and mask. Si Jingce poured tea and asked calmly, “What do you want from me?”
Yanyan leaned over. “Aren’t you that… um… the one who was close with Luo Huoxi?”
Lei Dian’s expression twisted: …
He was a top-tier streamer, had even played games with Yanyan—and now he was just “that guy.”
Since he needed help, Lei Dian quickly lowered his attitude. “I’m really sorry. I thought about it, and only you can help me.”
Si Jingce raised an eyebrow. “What ability do I have to help you?”
“You do,” Lei Dian said firmly. “I know—you’re the big boss’s son.”
Yanyan: “Huh?”
Yunduan: “Holy—! Bro, I asked you that before, didn’t I? And you denied it! If you get rich, don’t forget your brothers!”
Si Jingce said flatly, “Where did you hear that rumor?”
Yunduan was about to cling to him, but froze when he heard that, scratching his head. “Ah… well, even if not, it’s fine. Our friendship can’t be measured by money.”
Lei Dian: “…Luo Huoxi told me.”
What exactly had Luo Huoxi been saying about him?
Si Jingce looked at Lei Dian, then said, “Get to the point.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Yanyan snickering. He lightly pinched Yanyan’s hand as a warning.
Since appealing through Si Jingce’s identity failed, Lei Dian spoke directly. “I’ve fallen out with Luo Huoxi.”
“The conflict started after the annual meeting. He only got a renewal contract and felt unbalanced.”
“He kept making snide remarks at me. At first I didn’t care—I thought he was just in a bad mood.”
Then things escalated.
They learned earlier than others that the company was about to be cleaned up. Luo Huoxi panicked and approached Lei Dian.
“He said he needed to gather money quickly—to return all the money he’d earned through improper means. That way he could avoid being implicated.”
Si Jingce asked, “How much did you give him?”
Lei Dian choked. “Over a million.”
“He borrowed all the cash I had on me, but it still wasn’t enough. When I refused to give more, he started… threatening and coercing me.”
“He used every trick—said if I didn’t pay, he’d expose everything I’ve done. Even if it meant both of us going down together.”
Yunduan added from the side, “I can testify to this. Luo Huoxi borrowed money from him saying it was to return to us victims, but we checked privately—no one received any of that money.”
“Instead, more people were extorted by him and foolishly handed over money.”
Yanyan had just learned this concept recently. “Then you should call the police. Why come to my brother?”
Lei Dian: “Do you think we dare?”
If the things Luo Huoxi had in hand were exposed, he wouldn’t be able to stay on Gemstone TV at all—might as well go deliver food.
Si Jingce added coolly from the side, “So you all pool together money, send Luo Huoxi abroad to live comfortably, while you stay here swallowing your losses in silence, heartbroken for life.”
Of course, Lei Dian didn’t want that.
“So just report it directly. At least cut off his path to escape overseas first.” Si Jingce smiled slightly. “I’m just pointing out a way. If you’re willing to suffer in silence, I won’t stop you.”
He had said everything that needed to be said.
Yunduan looked left and right, then said dryly, “I’ll organize something later… see how many people are willing to report together.”
With that amount of money, it would be enough to keep Luo Huoxi in prison for a long time.
Si Jingce stood up to see them off. As Lei Dian was leaving, he asked one more question, “Do you know where Luo Huoxi moved to?”
Lei Dian shook his head blankly.
“Think it through, then report it.” Si Jingce said, “Better than having a blade hanging over your head all the time.”
Taking a step back now would only make Luo Huoxi push further.
After sending them off, the house fell quiet again.
Yanyan frowned and sighed. “So annoying. If they had reported earlier, none of this would have happened.”
“Not many people are willing to ruin their own careers,” Si Jingce said.
After climbing to that position and enjoying all the fame and benefits, it’s hard to make the decision to go back to square one.
Yanyan put his hands on his hips proudly. “See? In the end, you still need Birdy’s help!”
His sparrow intelligence network used a “sea of birds” strategy—so many sparrows, at least one would be able to find Luo Huoxi.
“When we find Luo Huoxi…” Yanyan said, “I’ll let Crow peck him a few times first.”
He smiled at Si Jingce. “Then I’ll record a video for you, to prove that I’m also a bird who can help you.”
Si Jingce helplessly pulled his boyfriend into an embrace.
Even after preparing himself mentally, he still didn’t want Yanyan to take risks, so he patiently advised, “How about I go with you then?”
Yanyan: “You can’t turn into a bird. You can’t go through windows, only doors.”
Without wings, Si Jingce would just become a burden to the little pearl bird.
“Maybe we can think of another way?” Si Jingce coaxed gently. “You have many ways to help me.”
The boy looked at him in confusion. His gaze slid from Si Jingce’s eyes, to his nose, and finally landed on his lips…
“Seems like there is another way.”
Yanyan immediately took out paper and pen and scribbled a few words.
“Anyway, the annual competition is about to start…” Yanyan showed him the slogan he wrote. “I’m going to start pulling votes for you.”
The “Annual Star” competition is mainly based on votes—the one with the most votes wins.
So he decided—
Anyone who votes for his brother once will get one free pet communication session from Yanyan!
Si Jingce: …
He stared at it silently for a while. “Baby, you…”
He didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm, so he said with difficulty, “That’s… a really great idea.”
Yanyan froze, putting down the paper. He could immediately sense something off in Si Jingce’s mood.
“Are you worried I’ll be too tired?” he asked. “It’s okay, I have great stamina and lots of energy.”
Si Jingce pressed his forehead. “That’s not what I mean.”
He lowered his head and kissed Yanyan.
“This is the kind of help I need.”
Just some kisses and closeness from his boyfriend—and he’s fully recharged.
That’s the biggest help.
Yanyan pondered his actions for a long time, then slowly widened his eyes.
He completely misunderstood, his face turning bright red.
“Okay… I get it. But I still think I can help you get votes.” The little bird seemed to be steaming all over. “I’ll try not to exhaust myself…”
“Because I know… you definitely want me to save my energy for other things.”
