Deep in the Night - Chapter 2

DITN : Chapter 2

Four years ago, in Macau.

Gu Yuan glanced at his hole cards—two aces—and pushed ten chips onto the crimson felt table.

The player to his left hesitated before folding. The next player, sitting casually with one leg over the other, was his younger brother, Gu Yang. He stroked his chin for a long moment before smiling and saying, “I’ll match!” as he casually tossed out his chips.

The VIP room was bathed in soft, ambient lighting, its opulent decor a testament to luxury. A row of voluptuous female hostesses stood by the door, each clad in a miniskirt and high heels that seemed to artificially extend their legs by three inches. Handsome male hostesses, dressed uniformly in form-fitting jeans and bow ties, stood respectfully beside the gaming table, trays of drinks in hand.

The entertainment company executive seated to Gu Yang’s left glanced at his cards, sighed, and discarded them. “I’m out of luck. The Second Master’s still the most daring!”

Gu Yang narrowed his almond-shaped eyes into a sly smile. “He’s already out of chips,” Gu Yuan remarked coolly. “He’s just here to give me money today.”

“How can you say that, Eldest Brother?” Gu Yang drawled, his tone dripping with mock indignation. “As if you think I know what cards you have! Wasn’t the last round—and the one before that—decided by the river card? I just lack your skill today. You’re on a roll, Eldest Brother. Nothing more to say.”

“Hey, you really lost willingly?”

“We’re family. Money moving from me to you is just like transferring from my left pocket to my right!”

The crowd roared with laughter, with Gu Yang particularly enjoying the joke. Gu Yuan, however, only gave a half-hearted smile.

Gu Yang was his half-brother.

But in this day and age, blood ties meant little unless they came from the same mother.

The Gu family was now at the height of its power in the south, their wealth and influence astonishing. Yet no matter how dazzling their prosperity, it couldn’t mask a growing threat: the patriarch, Gu Mingzong, hadn’t yet aged, but his two sons from different mothers had both grown into adulthood.

Gu Yuan had recently uncovered incriminating evidence against Gu Yang, but the situation was too delicate to act on. Pulling one thread could unravel the entire tapestry, and the time to sever ties with his brother hadn’t yet come. Thus, he held the evidence, refraining from further investigation. Gu Yang, upon learning of this, wisely invited his brother out several times, showering him with money, cars, and women—all of which Gu Yuan calmly accepted.

This trip to Macau was also Gu Yang’s invitation. Ostensibly, he was inviting Gu Yuan to unwind at his newly acquired casino hotel, but both knew the real purpose was to deliver more funds.

Three community cards were dealt: the 2 of Spades, the 4 of Hearts, and the Ace of Diamonds. Gu Yuan, unwilling to waste breath on his freeloading younger brother, pushed all but his last five chips into the pot.

Only the two brothers remained in the hand. Gu Yang glanced at his hole cards again and said awkwardly, “This is forcing me to all-in.”

“You don’t have much anyway. What’s the point?”

He was right. Gu Yang had only a dozen chips left, not enough to cover the pot even if he went all-in. He rubbed his chin for a long moment before saying, “True… but betting this paltry amount against you, Eldest Brother, would just be begging for a handout. I can’t take the hit to my pride. How about I add some extra incentive outside the game?”

He turned to the entertainment industry boss and grinned. “Mr. He, did you bring that little something you promised me the other day?”

Mr. He immediately understood. “Yes, yes, yes—hey, someone go fetch Young Yao!”

Gu Yuan narrowed his deep-set eyes, leaning back in his chair, and savored the spectacle of these people putting on this grotesque drama of wine, women, wealth, and power for his amusement.

Everything was prearranged, though Gu Yuan wondered how many times they had rehearsed.

A manager from Mr. He’s company immediately rose from behind the gambling table, walked to the side door, and soon led out a slender youth. Gu Yang said with a smile, “Eldest Brother, this kid is a talent Mr. He’s company has been pouring resources into. They wanted to offer him to me first—I thought he was quite good-looking, so I figured I’d use him as a betting prize today and add some amusement for you. What do you think?”

Though the act was a bit clumsy, the actor was excellent, showing that Gu Yang had put considerable effort into this. Young Yao looked to be only seventeen or eighteen, with delicate features and snow-white skin so fair it was hard to tell his gender at first glance. His body was at its peak development, showing the contours of a young man while still retaining the softness of adolescence—a figure that would undoubtedly be highly alluring to those with such tastes.

Mr. He’s company specialized in cultivating pretty boy idols. Their previous boy bands had all been wildly popular, and they had undoubtedly invested heavily in this young talent as well.

Gu Yuan pulled out a cigarette and smiled. “What’s this about…? You know I don’t smoke.”

“Aiya, you’re so old-fashioned, Eldest Brother! What’s the point of being surrounded by long-haired girls with big chests all day? Why not mix things up sometimes? You know what someone offered Mr. He for him before?” Gu Yang held up his fingers. “Even Mr. He refused! He’s still a virgin—pristine!”

He shot Young Yao a meaningful look. “Hm? Why are you still standing there?”

Young Yao immediately sauntered over to Gu Yuan, bowed, and said in a soft voice, “Eldest Master.”

The voice was pleasant, its trailing notes carrying a slight huskiness and allure.

Beside them, Mr. He and the manager’s palms were practically sweating through their hands. Yet Gu Yuan remained absorbed in his cigarette, silent, his slender fingers resting on the bridge of his nose, his handsome features devoid of any emotion.

“……”

Several seconds passed. Cold sweat broke out on Young Yao’s back, and his voice trembled slightly. “Gu… Eldest Master?”

Gu Yuan still didn’t speak. Suddenly, he slammed the cigarette onto the table.

A sudden realization struck Young Yao. He quickly pulled out a lighter, picked up the cigarette, placed it between his red lips, lit it, and respectfully offered it to Gu Yuan: “Eldest Master Gu!”

Only then did Gu Yuan accept the cigarette, smiling at Mr. He. “Still hasn’t been properly disciplined, I see.”

Mr. He’s heart finally settled back into his chest the moment Gu Yuan took the cigarette. He unconsciously wiped his forehead and smiled obsequiously. “Of course, of course. He’s still a child and doesn’t understand. I must ask the Eldest Master to please keep an eye on him…”

The group resumed their game. This time, Gu Yang went all-in. The dealer swiftly dealt out the last two cards—a four and an eight of diamonds. As expected, Gu Yuan won the entire pot with a full house.

Gu Yang casually tossed his pair of tens into the discard pile and sighed dramatically. “I can never beat Eldest Brother… It’s all in the stars!”

The crowd chuckled and teased him good-naturedly, while others congratulated Young Yao on finding a new patron. Mr. He promptly opened a bottle of champagne, and the atmosphere lit up with laughter, vibrant lights, and lively chatter. Beautiful women in low-cut miniskirts sashayed over, tenderly gathering chips and settling bets with coquettish charm.

Young Yao approached with a glass of wine, blushing as he offered a toast. “Eldest Master…”

Gu Yuan didn’t look at him, his attention focused on his cigarette as he instructed his attendant, “Summon Fang Jin.”

The attendant left to carry out the order. Moments later, two knocks sounded on the door before it was pushed open by a young man.

He appeared remarkably youthful, likely only in his early twenties. Dressed in a finely tailored black suit that accentuated his lean frame, he wore a crisp white shirt with its collar unbuttoned, giving him an air of refined elegance.

Without a tie, his monochromatic black-and-white attire didn’t feel oppressive. On the contrary, his jet-black hair and porcelain skin created a harmonious palette, exuding an aura of refined sophistication.

Fang Jin approached Gu Yuan and greeted him calmly, “Eldest Master.”

Gu Yuan casually flicked ash from his cigarette and pointed at Young Yao. “Gu Yang lost him to me. He’s yours for the night. Find a room and settle him in.”

Young Yao instinctively glanced at Fang Jin, only to meet his steady gaze.

Amidst the haze of cigarette smoke that filled the room, Fang Jin’s eyes stood out with a crystalline clarity, as if they held a hidden luminosity.

Young Yao froze, but Fang Jin simply extended his hand and said calmly, “Come with me.”

Several people nearby were glancing their way, but Young Yao instinctively knew they weren’t looking at him.

Trained as a performer, he was highly attuned to the audience’s focus. He knew his intuition was right: their gazes were fixed on Fang Jin, the young man before him.

There was no time for wild speculation, though. Young Yao immediately exclaimed, “Oh!” and obediently lowered his head to follow Fang Jin out of the room.

The rosewood door clicked shut again. Gu Yang looked as if he’d discovered new territory. “Eldest Brother, you’re quite the catch! When did you get such a beautiful secretary? Those legs, that figure—tsk tsk—weren’t you always bragging about only liking to chase girls?”

Mr. He chimed in, “His aura is impressive—he outshines our Young Yao by a mile! Eldest Master has excellent taste!”

Everyone around them burst into laughter. Gu Yuan, however, merely gave his brother a mild glance. “This person was given to me by my father.”

Gu Yang choked.

“He slipped several people into my circle under the guise of ‘assistance,’ and this guy was one of them. I heard he used to study finance. I managed to get leverage on the others and purge them, but this one showed some tact and handled things steadily. He doesn’t seem to be running off to my father with rumors about my affairs, so I kept him as my assistant.” Gu Yuan took a drag, his gaze playful as he stared at Gu Yang. “Since you like him so much, why don’t I give him up to you?”

“No, no, no! Someone so steady should stay with Eldest Brother!” Gu Yang broke out in cold sweat. “Since Father gave him to you, how could I possibly steal what’s rightfully yours?”

Gu Yuan burst into laughter and casually stubbed out his cigarette.

Beside them, Mr. He, realizing he’d said something inappropriate, quickly toasted everyone with a string of jokes to change the subject. Moments later, several hostesses arrived to open bottles and offer cigarettes, and the scene grew even livelier, quickly drowning in the vibrant lights and clinking glasses.

———

The elevator door chimed open, and Fang Jin stepped out first.

Young Yao walked beside him, unable to resist stealing a sideways glance at the man.

From a professional’s perspective, Fang Jin’s physique was truly exceptional. Though not as tall as Eldest Master Gu, who stood over 180 centimeters, his posture was upright and his proportions perfect. When walking, his legs appeared almost impossibly long from the side.

Who exactly is he? Young Yao couldn’t help but wonder.

Having witnessed the seedy underbelly of the industry, his mind inevitably wandered toward the more sordid possibilities. Could he be one of Eldest Master Gu’s kept men? But judging by his impeccable attire, if that were the case, he must be one of the well-established, high-maintenance variety.

Fang Jin stopped before a door at the end of the hotel corridor. He swiped his key card, and the door swung open. “This is it,” he said.

This floor housed only two presidential suites, and this was one of them. The suite featured a massive circular dining area, two master bedrooms, a reception room, a media lounge, and an indoor garden. Fang Jin led Young Yao into one of the master bedrooms, where opulent lighting illuminated lavish decor. A king-sized bed, large enough to rival even the most extravagant, was adorned with a clichéd scattering of rose petals.

“This is where Mr. Gu rests at night. You’ll wait for him here. I’m in the adjacent suite; feel free to come find me if you need anything.”

As Fang Jin turned to leave, Young Yao blurted out, “Wait!”

“What is it?”

“I…” Young Yao stared at Fang Jin’s impassive face, hesitating for a long moment before finally admitting, “…I’m a little scared…”

The well-lit room made Fang Jin’s face appear as if it were bathed in a soft, flawless glow. Yet his eyes held a hint of surprise. After a long pause, he asked, “Why?”

“I… it’s my first time… you know,” Young Yao stammered, visibly embarrassed. “Is Eldest Master Gu… rough?”

“…Not particularly.”

“Then, does he… like to be rough in bed?”

Fang Jin blinked, then replied after a moment, “I don’t think so.”

Seeing Fang Jin’s relaxed expression, Young Yao decided to ask more bluntly, since they were “colleagues”.

“So… does he have any… special kinks in bed?”

“Huh?”

Fang Jin’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, momentarily frozen. Just as he was about to deny it, a cough came from behind them.

Both men turned around to see Gu Yuan standing in the doorway, frowning. “What nonsense are you two spouting?”

“Ah! Eldest Master Gu!” Young Yao jumped up, flustered. “I-I-I was just… just asking casually…”

Gu Yuan reeked of alcohol. It was either because he’d spilled half a bottle of liquor on himself or because Gu Yang and the others had really forced him to drink excessively. Likely due to his drunken state, his usually handsome and aloof face now wore an unmasked expression of irritation. As he approached, he shrugged off his coat and casually tossed it to Fang Jin. “Just get him out of here. Why are you still standing around here arguing? You were sent by my father. Do I need to teach you how to do your job step by step?”

Fang Jin staggered slightly as he caught the coat and replied quietly, “Yes.”

For some reason, perhaps it was just an illusion, Young Yao glimpsed Fang Jin’s expression and sensed a faint trace of sadness.

Sadness…

Young Yao froze, suddenly feeling an urge to defend Fang Jin. But before he could gather the courage to speak, Fang Jin, coat draped over his arm, retreated from the room and quietly closed the door behind him.

Just before the door shut completely, Fang Jin made a hushing gesture with his fingers and slowly shook his head.

He was warning Young Yao to keep quiet and avoid trouble.

Fang Jin was unnaturally pale, making even the slightest hint of color on his face strikingly noticeable. Under the bright light, Young Yao could see a faint redness at the corners of Fang Jin’s eyes, stark against his eyes, gentle as water.

But before he could examine it further, the door clicked shut.