Liu Luanzhou's birthday banquet was held at one of the Liu family's hotels. At the entrance of the grand hall, staff were stationed to check invitations.
Guests could either scan their faces at the recognition machine or present the physical card.
Arriving late for reasons of his own, Hu Xiaoyu handed over his invitation with a hint of embarrassment.
At his side, Yu Tan stood with one hand in his pocket, an expression as cold and detached as ever.
The staff returned the card, stealing another glance at the boy before cautiously eyeing Yu Tan. "And this gentleman is…?"
He didn't recognize the man, but just one look told him this was not someone easy to offend.
Hu Xiaoyu laced his fingers with Yu Tan's and said naturally, "Family."
Yu Tan's lips curved faintly upward, repeating in a low voice, "Yes. Family."
The invitation Hu Xiaoyu produced was of the highest tier. With it, not only one companion but even an entire family could be admitted.
Thus, the two passed unimpeded.
What Hu Xiaoyu didn't know was that Yu Tan had long since received his own invitation.
The Liu and Yu families might not be on good terms, but in business there are no eternal enemies—only interests. Even for appearances' sake, certain people must always be invited.
Of course, Yu Tan had never intended to attend. He had already passed the card to a deputy in his company to go in his place.
But now, to appear personally carries a different kind of satisfaction.
After all, the boy Liu Luanzhou had been longing to see was standing by his side. And before anyone else in the world, that boy had already belonged to him.
The moment Yu Tan appeared, word reached Liu Luanzhou.
Not only him—anyone who saw Yu Tan enter with someone at his side found it hard to look away.
Most were stunned he had come at all. Could it be that the Liu and Yu families were planning some great collaboration? If so, those who noticed early might secure a chance to board that ship.
And then there was the boy beside him, who drew a different kind of curiosity—gossip tinged with disbelief.
Yu Tan's reputation was formidable; even seasoned foxes of the business world tread carefully around him. Younger men hardly dared glance in his direction. Yet the boy beside him had the gall to glance around curiously, unbothered by standing next to such a figure.
It was outrageous.
But undeniably, the two of them—whether in looks, attire, or the unspoken closeness in their bearing—fit together far too well.
Some who had heard whispers of rumors began scanning the crowd for Hu Xiaoyu's parents.
Raising a son like that… to catch hold of someone like Yu Tan. The future could be limitless.
Even Liu Luanzhou himself was surprised.
Earlier, he had asked specifically if Hu Xiaoyu had arrived, and when the answer was no, a rare flicker of disappointment and amusement had stirred in his chest.
Disappointment that the boy who used to circle around him had now gone to Yu Tan's side. Amusement that someone as indifferent as Yu Tan could actually grow jealous, keeping Hu Xiaoyu away from him.
But when the two finally appeared—one in black, the other in white, standing together in striking harmony—his emotions grew far more complicated.
He had no time to dwell on them now, not with so many eyes upon them.
Among those present, Yu Tan's status was easily within the top three, warranting Liu Luanzhou himself to come forward.
Hu Xiaoyu, long accustomed to attention in the fox clan, was unbothered by the stares. He handed over a charm to Liu Luanzhou and reminded him earnestly, "Happy birthday, Brother Liu. You must keep this on you for at least three months. It'll keep you safe."
He didn't realize how much he resembled a street-side fortune-teller at that moment. But he never spoke idly—he could see the shadows clinging to Liu Luanzhou's fate. Within a month or three, a trial awaited him.
It was just a pity he couldn't read Yu Tan's fortune. Perhaps when he retrieved Yu Tan's tails, he would be able to.
Liu Luanzhou chuckled and shook his head. Truth be told, he didn't believe in charms or spirits.
But sincerity mattered more than belief. He carefully put it away.
From nearby, Li Yu laughed aloud. "A charm? What stall did you buy that from—two for one?"
Handsome though he was, his tone dripped with mockery.
Hu Xiaoyu turned to him. "Were you speaking to me?"
Li Yu faltered, forcing a laugh. "Just an opinion. Don't be so touchy."
Hu Xiaoyu shook his head. "The charm is expensive. Money can't buy it. And you're noisy. Nobody cares for your opinion."
The crowd, who had been eavesdropping on the great figures' exchange, collectively: "…"
Now, more than ever, they wanted to know who this boy was—bold enough to put the Li family's young master in his place.
Li Yu flushed with anger, but Liu Luanzhou stopped him before he could retort.
Meanwhile, Yu Tan casually plucked a glass of orange juice from a passing tray. He barely touched it with his lips before setting it down.
Then, resting one hand naturally on Hu Xiaoyu's shoulder, he lifted his eyes. Li Yu, who had been glaring at daggers, immediately looked away.
Hu Xiaoyu ignored the distraction. He looked seriously at Liu Luanzhou again. "Brother Liu, promise me—you'll carry it with you for three months."
Liu Luanzhou, seeing the earnest light in his eyes, felt a strange stir within. "All right. Three months. I'll keep it close."
Strange—when had he ever noticed that Hu Xiaoyu's eyes were so beautiful?
Just as he was about to say more, Yu Tan raised the glass of orange juice to Hu Xiaoyu's lips. "Talking so much—aren't you thirsty? Try this."
Hu Xiaoyu drank instinctively from his hand.
Liu Luanzhou: "…"
That hand on his shoulder, the casual act of feeding him—all subtle declarations of ownership.
He understood it. And yet, a sharp pang of unwillingness rose in his chest. Unwillingness, and confusion.
He had never cared before. He was certain of that.
So why now?
Li Yu clenched his fists, while others whispered feverishly—Yu Tan, serving someone? Impossible!
Liu Luanzhou finally inclined his head politely and withdrew. Even Li Yu dared not linger.
Only afterward did Hu Xiaoyu realize the impropriety, reaching for the glass.
But Yu Tan's hand shifted from his shoulder to his nape, giving a firm squeeze. "Talkative."
He drained the juice himself, a boyish satisfaction flickering across his austere features.
Hu Xiaoyu: "…"
His gaze lingered on those juice-dampened lips. He wanted to bite. What now?
Yu Tan's eyes narrowed. He bent closer. "Hungry?"
It was meant as a tease, a test. But instead of embarrassment, Hu Xiaoyu nodded earnestly, clutching his arm in near relief. "Yu Tan, I think I'm sick. You look so delicious. I want to bite you."
He knew it was inappropriate in public, which made him all the more distressed.
Yu Tan nearly cursed. Reflexively, he glanced at his tailored trousers. One or two more lines like that, and he'd disgrace himself on the spot.
So he began deliberately ignoring him, lest his control fray entirely.
The banquet itself rivaled the grandest business gatherings. Soon Yu Tan was surrounded by partners and rivals alike. It helped keep the fire Hu Xiaoyu stoked under wraps.
The boy, uninterested in corporate pleasantries, slipped away toward the food.
Yu Tan let him go. After all, he had already realized—this boy wasn't the submissive pushover the reports suggested. On the contrary, he left others fuming in his wake.
Better to let him roam free for a while.
Hu Xiaoyu reached the dessert table and spotted a mango cake.
Just as he picked it up, someone blocked his path.
This time, it was his parents.
His father's gaze was stern, simmering with restrained anger; his mother's expression was anxious, tinged with grievance.
His father asked curtly, "Have you caused enough trouble?"
Hu Xiaoyu tilted his head. "What do you want me to do?"
His mother wanted to scold him, but seeing how healthy and well he looked—better than he ever had at home—she faltered. Instead, she muttered, "Xiaoyu, is that any way to speak to your father?"
Hu Xiaoyu didn't understand them. Was speaking normally so difficult? Or was his very existence nothing but a burden and disruption to their lives? Why else would every encounter feel so heavy, so accusatory?
"I'm not making trouble," he said evenly. "You are. You drove me to sickness, then to not wanting to return home. If you can accept it, then just pretend you don't have a son."
His father stared in shock, convinced he had misheard. Or perhaps—this must be Yu Tan's influence. His once-docile son would never say such words.
His mother nearly fainted. After all the pain of losing and finding him again, her son now wanted to sever ties.
But Hu Xiaoyu felt no obligation to them. If being apart spared him unhappiness, then so be it.
He turned to leave with his cake.
His mother blocked him, blurting out a threat: "If you walk away now, I'll throw Granny Cui out of the nursing home!"
That, Hu Xiaoyu could not bear.
But before he could speak, a cold voice cut in: "Madam Hu, truly formidable. Unfortunately, you lack the power to do so."
It was Yu Tan.
At once, Hu Xiaoyu's anger dissolved. If Yu Tan said there was no problem, then there was none.
In fact, Yu Tan had heard him say, Pretend you don't have a son.
Perfect. He had no objection to separating the boy from his family. So long as his eyes, his mind, his life held only him—that was enough.
He could have waited, let Madam Hu's foolish words drive her son further away. But no one else had the right to threaten what was his.
In front of Yu Tan, neither parent dared speak further, cowed despite his youth.
As they were led away, Madam Hu's manner softened, eyes lingering wistfully on her son.
Hu Xiaoyu didn't notice. He was too busy offering Yu Tan his cake like a treasure. "Try it. Mango flavor."
Yu Tan let him feed him, but not before casting a sharp, possessive glance in the direction of his parents—a look that chilled them into averting their eyes.
On the way home, Hu Xiaoyu pulled out a piece of jade from his spiritual sea, though he pretended to fetch it from his pocket.
"Here. For you." He puffed up proudly, his invisible tail almost wagging. "Better than Brother Liu's charm. Really."
He wasn't blindly obedient—going to the banquet had not been Yu Tan's decision alone. But this was his way of making amends. Both compensation and care for Yu Tan's health.
Yu Tan understood perfectly. The cool jade warmed in his palm, clearly no ordinary stone. Even more than the warmth seeping through his body, it was the expectant look on the boy's face—like a drop of sweet rain falling into parched soil—that made him feel it deep in his chest.
"Do you like it?" Hu Xiaoyu prompted, ears pricked for praise.
"You're learning," Yu Tan said instead, swallowing the word like.
One hand closed around the jade, the other cupping Hu Xiaoyu's cheek, stroking it lightly as silence filled the car.
The boy leaned into the touch, enjoying it like a fox being stroked.
But once they reached home, Yu Tan didn't even let him step down.
Ah Jiu watched as his boss carried the boy upstairs, sensing a rare urgency in his stride.
Indeed, Yu Tan was impatient. And the jade had only fueled the fire.
He kicked open the door, laying Hu Xiaoyu on the bed. "The jade is a gift. But so is the one who gave it."
The boy wriggled futilely, protesting, "You're pressing on me."
Yu Tan didn't move. In fact, he pressed closer, dark eyes devouring him like priceless treasure.
After a long, possessive gaze, he finally spoke—his tone low, dangerous, threaded with desire: "Soon… you'll beg me not to hold back."
Hu Xiaoyu, understanding, rejected firmly, "No. I'm cold."
Yu Tan said nothing, fingers tearing open his suit while reaching for the temperature control by the bedside.
If it meant keeping this boy, he was willing to yield a little.