After Picking Up the Rival Boss, It Smells Really Good - Chapter 6

“The owner of that pet hospital is named Blaise. Five years ago, he was wanted for illegally taming wild beasts and fled all the way to Gorgona Island, where he opened a pet hospital.” Bai Xianzhe handed the documents to Qin Gou. “Also, that ‘dog’ Core Inhibitor you gave me is very unusual.”

After returning that day, Lu Lian had directly handed the excavated Core Inhibitor to Qin Gou, warning: “The Mental Sea power of that Tibetan Mastiff was extremely unstable. Its Core Inhibitor has issues.”

The red Core Inhibitor, still stained with traces of blood, was tossed over and looked genuinely unsettling. This Core Inhibitor differed significantly from normal ones.

Whether one possessed a Core Inhibitor or not, anyone with basic knowledge knew that Core Inhibitors should normally be blue crystals. Yet the core in Lu Lian’s hand emitted a strange red glow, radiating an indescribable eeriness and danger.

Bai Xianzhe said: “Although the maximum Mental Sea power it can unleash only reaches D-class, I detected fluctuations within it that can disrupt normal Mental Sea power. Its own compositional sequence is also very peculiar. I’m more inclined to believe this is an artificially synthesized Core Inhibitor.”

Qin Gou pondered thoughtfully. If Lu Lian had also been affected by the disruption, causing emotional instability, then it would be somewhat understandable.

But that wasn’t the most pressing matter now. Qin Gou rarely spoke with such seriousness: “An artificially synthesized Core Inhibitor that can disrupt normal Mental Seas – do you realize what this means?”

Bai Xianzhe adjusted his glasses, and he and Qin Gou fell into simultaneous silence.

What did it mean?

It meant it would overturn the entire world.

Lu Lian, still wearing a face mask, arrived at “Weeds” with Qin Gou.

The top priority was to find that pet hospital owner Blaise. And if they wanted to gather information about someone on the island, there was indeed no better place than “Weeds,” the island’s largest bar.

They had just entered the bar when Fang Wenyan spotted them from afar and waved enthusiastically: “Brother Gou!”

Qin Gou walked over first, his lips curling back into that lazy smile: “Am I late?”

“Hey, not at all!” Fang Wenyan put down his beer. “Brother Gou, it’s been so long since you’ve come! The brothers have all been missing you!”As Fang Wenyan said this, he winked exaggeratedly, making Qin Gou sense that something unfortunate was about to happen.” Sure enough, he turned and pulled over a delicate-looking black-haired boy beside him, then deliberately lowered his voice as he gestured to Qin Gou: “We all understand what Brother Gou’s been busy with.” Finally came to your senses, not hanging yourself on that crooked-neck tree Ye Wan anymore.”

Qin Gou looked up.

“Happy for you, bro!” He pushed the delicate boy toward Qin Gou. “Specifically found a young guy that matches Brother Gou’s taste. Have fun, Brother Gou, and never think about that someone from the past again. Yeah, come on, quickly call him ‘Brother.'”

The boy softly called out: “Hello, Brother Gou.” His voice was slender and gentle, sounding quite pitiable.

“…” Qin Gou sometimes had to marvel at Fang Wenyan’s efficiency. He gave a slight nod in response.

Just as the boy was about to speak further, he noticed a gray-haired man approaching from behind Qin Gou. Even though only his eyes and brows were visible, one could still discern an extraordinary depth and handsomeness, as if his entire being carried a chilling aura.

Then he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Qin Gou, their heights nearly identical.

The boy took a step back and asked softly, “Who is this?”

Lu Lian didn’t speak, merely glancing at the boy. Fang Wenyan was also stunned. He leaned in for a closer look, swallowed the wine in his mouth in one gulp, then widened his eyes and pointed at Lu Lian, exclaiming, “Isn’t he the one from a few days ago.”

“Lu Yunhui,” Qin Gou swiftly interrupted Fang Wenyan, quickly introducing him, “My friend.”

Then he lowered his head and whispered into Lu Lian’s ear with a light laugh, “Fang Wenyan, you’ve met him before. That friend of mine who can’t keep his mouth shut.”

Lu Lian, who had been expressionless, turned his head upon hearing Qin Gou’s words and gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

“Ah, this…” Fang Wenyan felt somewhat awkward. He glanced at Lu Lian, then at Qin Gou and the boy, before leaning closer to Qin Gou and whispering, “You didn’t say you were bringing him. bringing Brother Yunhui along! This is so awkward…”

Qin Gou raised an eyebrow, then gave Fang Wenyan a pat on the back, unbothered as he took the lead in sitting on the sofa. “Alright, having one more friend to hang out with is quite fun.”

He perfectly maintained his playboy image.

In the end, Lu Lian and the boy sat on either side of Qin Gou. The boy seemed very nervous, but Lu Lian remained calm and expressionless the whole time.

“Brother Gou! Impressive!” Fang Wenyan said this, but his rear shifted once, then again, before he secretly moved to another sofa, quietly distancing himself from the brewing conflict.

An odd silence seemed to have fallen.

“Brother Gou, I can’t open this. Can you help me?” It was the boy who finally took the initiative, handing over a can of beer. Though the move was rather clumsy, the boy had heard from Fang Wenyan that Qin Gou had a soft spot for vulnerability, so he felt he still had a good chance.

Qin Gou glanced over. The boy was a bit nervous, his hand holding the beer trembling slightly.

Then, slender fingers wrapped around the can, and with a gentle twist, a “hiss” sound followed as bubbles emerged from the opening. Qin Gou handed the opened beer back.

“Thank you, Brother Gou.” The boy took the beer, his fingers brushing lightly against Qin Gou’s as if by accident.

“You’re welcome.” Qin Gou smiled, neither rejecting nor reacting to the gesture, leaving others unsure of his thoughts.

The boy gave a small smile.

Suddenly, another bottle of beer was handed over from the side. Qin Gou turned in surprise. Lu Lian didn’t even look back, merely holding out the beer.

It took Qin Gou a moment to realize what he meant. Then he took the beer.

The idea of Lu Lian from Uralos asking someone to open a bottle cap for him would shock people so much their jaws would drop to the floor, unable to be retrieved.

But in the end, Qin Gou didn’t open the beer and instead set it down. Lu Lian finally turned to look at him, his deep, pool-like eyes unreadable and still calm. Seeing this, the boy also breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Then, they saw Qin Gou pick up a carton of orange juice, open it, and hand it to Lu Lian. “Your injury hasn’t healed yet. It’s not suitable for you to drink alcohol. Have this for now.”

The injury Qin Gou mentioned actually referred to the bite he had given Lu Lian, but clearly, the boy had misunderstood. His eyes widened in surprise for a moment, and from then on, he kept looking at Lu Lian with a faint but unmistakable hostility.

Surprisingly, Lu Lian actually took the orange juice. However, with his mask on, he had no intention of drinking it was merely for show.

Seeing that the atmosphere was about right, Qin Gou got up and went to the bar to order another drink.

“A martini.” The bartender was an exquisitely groomed man with long hair. His hands moved with agile, elegant, and forceful motions as he shook the cocktail shaker. In no time, he handed Qin Gou a perfectly mixed cocktail, a smile playing on his lips. “Mr. Qin, it’s been a while since you last came for my drinks.”

“One of Mr. Dean’s drinks is enough to keep me intoxicated for a long time,” Qin Gou said with a laugh. “Been busy lately?”

“Not too bad.” Dean wiped the counter, his gaze softening even more as he looked at Qin Gou. “It seems our esteemed patron Qin is about to bring us another job.”

Qin Gou took a slow sip of his drink and said leisurely, “Do you know Blaise?”

“The owner of the pet hospital downtown.” Dean chuckled. “He was quite active some time ago, but lately, he seems to have gone quiet.”

“Active?”

“A while back, he started some kind of Free Clinic. Said pets with illnesses, as well as stray cats and dogs, could be brought to him for free treatment.”

Qin Gou sneered. “A wanted criminal who takes pleasure in taming wild beasts running a Free Clinic?”

“It is rather strange,” Dean admitted as he began preparing the next drink, dropping ice into the shaker. “But no matter what, free services are always tempting on this little island, aren’t they?”

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Qin Gou straightened up and stepped away from the bar stool. “Help me look into his recent movements. The payment will be the same as usual.”

“With pleasure.” Dean gently placed a mint leaf on the drink and smiled like a fox.

With Qin Gou gone, the barrier between Lu Lian and the boy disappeared. The boy stole glances at Lu Lian for a while before finally unable to hold back and speaking first. “Mr. Lu, you seem quite familiar with Brother Gou.”

Lu Lian didn’t respond, not even sparing him half a glance. He remained expressionless, toying with the bottle of orange juice in front of him. The boy grew restless, widening his eyes as if surprised, and said, “It’s nothing, really. I’m just a bit surprised. Everyone who knows Brother Gou is aware that he prefers delicate, slender boys. I just… didn’t expect his taste to change so drastically all of a sudden.” The “delicate, slender boy” in front of him spoke in a soft, rabbit-like voice.

Lu Lian didn’t engage. His demeanor was cold, making the boy inexplicably nervous. Gritting his teeth, the boy continued, “Brother Gou might just be trying something new. Once he’s had his fill, he’ll probably move on. But you don’t need to be too upset. I know a lot of people I could introduce you to someone else later.”

Lu Lian set down the orange juice and bent the straw sharply.

Seeing that Lu Lian still showed no reaction, the boy grew increasingly frustrated and humiliated. His rabbit-like voice now carried a hint of gritted teeth. “I suggest you don’t be ungrateful, or else I.”

Lu Lian finally glanced at him upon hearing this. That glance was like a blade forged from icy wind; the boy froze, suddenly not daring to speak the rest of his words.

“What are you talking about?” Qin Gou happened to return at that moment. He smoothly settled back between the two, casually picked up a can of beer, and asked with a faint smile playing on his lips.

The boy looked up with a grin: “Nothing much. Since Brother Yun Hui is new here, I was just telling him about this place.”

Lu Lian spoke coolly: “He was saying I don’t know what’s good for me.”