The cold, dark basement hums with the sound of the power generators but the usual malodorous smell was replaced by the mixed scent of cold, metallic blue puya and warm, sweet osmanthus, which is seeping through the gaps between the door of the small room. Even though the odor is intense, the two people present there don't seem to be affected by it.
Yan Jiuheng was pacing around the basement as Long Yuzhou calmly leaned against a white car, hands folded against his chest, looking as if he owned that very car. Long Yuzhou frowned at Yan Jiuheng as he massaged his forehead.
"Stop pacing around. You're making my head spin." Long Yuzhou said with irritation.
Yan Jiuheng stopped pacing around as he said in a cold voice, "Stop looking if it's hurting you."
He once again resumed his action, started accusing Long Yuzhou, "It's all your fault. Who told you to suggest the temporary marking to them? Liu Zhong could have taken a suppressant. Are you planning to set up my innocent Liu Zhong with that bastard?"
Long Yuzhou couldn't help but become speechless at his words. Yan Jiuheng didn't notice the surprise in him as he continued accusing him.
Long Yuzhou couldn't take it anymore as he pushed himself off the white car, walking towards Yan Jiuheng. Yan Jiuheng was startled as he noticed Long Yuzhou standing in his way, preventing him from pacing around.
"What do you want?" Yan Jiuheng asked in confusion.
Long Yuzhou lifted his hand towards his face. Yan Jiuheng's eyes closed as a reflex, waiting for a sharp hit which never happened. Perplexed, Yan Jiuheng opened his eyes feeling a bony sensation against his lips.
Long Yuzhou, who put his finger against his lips, said, "Stop blabbering with that loose mouth of yours. It's spouting nonsense while you're anxious." His voice softened a little as he said, "You already know in your heart that my suggestion will be the only thing which will help him keep safe till he learns to control his powers. So stop blaming it and accept that he's grown up and is ready to start a family on his own."
Yan Jiuheng froze at his words, his face pale as reality hit him. He couldn't form words for a while as his throat dried preventing him from saying anything. Long Yuzhou regretted his words as fast as it came, seeing the change of expression in Yan Jiuheng. Just as Long Yuzhou was about to say something, a moan could be heard from inside the room. Yan Jiuheng's face paled even more as Long Yuzhou closed his eyes blaming himself and the bad timing.
Yan Jiuheng pulled his fingers away, walking towards the lift in slow steps. Long Yuzhou tried to stop him.
"Jiuheng! Stop!" Long Yuzhou's voice sounded with barely noticeable concern.
Yan Jiuheng lifted his hand, stopping Long Yuzhou from saying anything.
"I'll be going back. You stay back here and prepare a safe journey for them. Also.."
He paused before saying in a broken voice, "Convey my congratulations to them."
Long Yuzhou couldn't bring himself to stop him as he saw him get into the lift and disappear behind the closing doors, carrying him away from the basement. Long Yuzhou couldn't follow him as he still needed to make sure of their safe journey towards the North.
With a frustrated sigh, Long Yuzhou waited in the cold basement, waiting patiently. After what felt like an eternity, the doors to the small room opened as the mixed odor of blue puya and sweet osmanthus burst out of it engulfing the basement completely.
Wu Xinglong and Liu Zhong emerged from the room with a flustered face, disheveled looks and swollen lips. Liu Zhong awkwardly tried to hide the bite mark on his nape and Wu Xinglong held him close by the waist. Long Yuzhou looked at them for a moment, assessing them.
"It seems like you have made a decision. Good! Since it's already decided I'll arrange a private plane to the North but from there you need to find his birthplace on your own as it's hidden for centuries and hard to reach there. You might face some hurdles in between but don't let them stop you." Long Yuzhou said before making a call to arrange a private plane for their travel.
After the call was over, Long Yuzhou informed them, "Rest for two days. Let me drop you both at the airport on Wednesday."
They both nodded and Liu Zhong's face dropped as he couldn't see Yan Jiuheng.
He asked Long Yuzhou, "Where's Jiuheng?"
Long Yuzhou didn't hesitate or show any suspicious reaction as he answered, "He got a call from the Mayor to discuss this new merger so he left earlier and informed me to convey it to you. You don't need to worry much about him as you clearly know about him right?"
Even though Long Yuzhou's words were flawless, Liu Zhong could see through it right away, clearly understanding Yan Jiuheng's personality. So he didn't further ask about Yan Jiuheng but requested something from Long Yuzhou.
"Mr. Long, I know your hatred for Yan Jiuheng is inevitable. But Yan Jiuheng is not what you know he is, he has so many things he usually doesn't say to anyone. He might look cold but he is not. So please let go of your hatred and be more tolerant of him" Liu Zhong asked in a polite tone.
Long Yuzhou didn't expect such a request from Liu Zhong so he couldn't immediately respond to him. Liu Zhong waited for his response nervously. After a while, Long Yuzhou finally opened his mouth, his deep baritone voice echoing in the cold basement.
"Liu Zhong, the hatred I have for Yan Jiuheng is my own business and I can't promise you that I could spare him. So if there's nothing I want you both to go back to our place and rest there for two days without roaming outside. After two days, I'll personally come there to pick you both up and drop you at the airport."
Liu Zhong knew he already overstepped his boundary and expected such a response from Long Yuzhou so he didn't press anymore. Long Yuzhou made sure both Liu Zhong and Wu Xinglong got into the white car and left from there before he walked back to the lift. He pressed the button to the ground floor as the lift doors closed with a click.
The sound of the ventilating fan filled the silent lift as Long Yuzhou was deep in thoughts as he replayed the words of Liu Zhong. The lift stopped as it reached the ground floor. Long Yuzhou's train of thoughts got disturbed as he left the lift, walking towards the reception area.
Long Yuzhou was a bit absent minded so he didn't notice the person approaching him. Before he could recognise, someone bumped into him, making him stumble back a little. Long Yuzhou looked down as he heard a soft voice of pain. He noticed a person with medium golden brown hair winching in pain as their ankle looks twisted.
"Ms. Lian, are you okay? I'm sorry. I didn't notice you." Long Yuzhou apologised as he helped Zhu Lian up, supporting her as he walked her to the nearest sofa.
Zhu Lian sat down with difficulty as she politely said with a smile, "Mr. Long, it's my fault. I was in a hurry and didn't notice you so I ended up bumping into you. It's just a sprain, it can be treated easily with a spray."
Long Yuzhou looked up, meeting her hazel gaze, "It doesn't look like a sprain. You stay here, I'll have the receptionist take care of you as I have an important thing I need to attend to now."
Long Yuzhou didn't wait for her answer as he walked towards the reception, telling the receptionist about her condition, asking for help. As Long Yuzhou talked with the receptionist, he didn't notice the disdain in Zhu Lian's face as she gripped her fist till her knuckles turned white, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Shortly, Long Yuzhou came back with the receptionist saying, "Ms. Lian, don't move around a lot and take a rest for a few days before you resume again. Take care." With that, Long Yuzhou left as the receptionist helped Zhu Lian to tend to her twisted legs.