Weiran wasn’t really sure he could say that he was worried about the both of them. He could see Xingyu doing just fine under the accusing eye of the public, could see him doing just fine in prison—putting on the perfect mask to thrive among his fellow prisoners. But Xiaokai? Xiaokai, with his pretty skin that bruised if you pressed too hard, Xiaokai who told Weiran with a pained laugh that he felt disgusted by the men who touched him. Weiran didn’t want that man to ever go to prison. Xiaokai had spent his entire life being touched and stared at and looked at by people he didn’t want to touch or stare or look at him. Going to prison would just ensure that such a life would continue.

Weiran didn’t want Xiaokai to ever be put in a situation like that. He was going to bring down the List, but he was also going to keep Xiaokai out of jail. He could do two things.

“Xiaokai,” he said.

“En?”

“If you’re taking on some of Sun Yue’s responsibilities, does that mean you can stop doing what you’re doing now?”

“No. I need to take any opportunity I can get to steal information from these people.” He checked his watch. “I have an appointment with Hu Yongzhu in about an hour, so I need to get going.”

“Hu Yongzhu? But—”

Xiaokai swiveled to look at him, and the words died in Weiran’s throat. But he’s the one who hurts you the most. But he’s going to hurt you again. But I don’t know if I can stand to see you come back into my room with bruises and burns and know that you had to pretend you were enjoying it the whole time.

“I’m also confused by that,” said Xingyu. “I finalized the deal when I met with him the day Ba died. Why does he want to meet with you again so soon?”

“It’s a routine meeting. I have to maintain relationships. Even if we aren’t actively making a deal, our meetings guarantee that our business with each other will continue.”

“What the hell do you even do in these meetings?”

“They’re just check-ins. Xingyu, work on hiring Zhang Weiran as your secretary. Sun Yue never saw him in person, so just cover up his birthmark any time he’s in public. We’ll work on moving you out of the hotel and into the house. If Sun Yue questions it, just allude to sleeping with him.”

Weiran choked. Xingyu just nodded. “Understood.”

“We’re just going to breeze past that? Xiaokai, wait.” Weiran caught Xiaokai’s wrist before he could move out the door. Xiaokai looked down at Weiran’s hand, then back up at his face.

“Is there a problem?”

“Are you…” How did he ask this with Xingyu sitting right there? “Are you going to be okay with Hu Yongzhu?”