She bit her lip, swallowed, and moved towards a nearby broken oil drum. Her purple eyes behind her large glasses were excited, anticipating the black society’s impending battle.
Luo Yaling’s hands trembled, but not from fear—she was too excited. She realized something was missing from the showdown: no guns. Where were the weapons? They hadn’t even exchanged typical opening lines!
Could it be a misunderstanding? Luo Yaling tilted her head, hand on her mouth. Ah! She remembered. They might be conducting a secret drug transaction! That would explain why they weren’t brandishing weapons.
Luo Yaling giggled as she took out her camera from her bag, ready to capture every moment like a police officer catching bad guys. So fun!
“Young Master, are you unchanged in your original intention?”
The young master in a cool cape surveyed the three black-clad men with a sharp gaze that seemed to penetrate them, yet remained silent.
“Young Master…” the black-clad man grew anxious.
“Mm.”
After a long pause, the cape-wearing man responded softly.
“But the old master still hopes the young master could recon—” The black-clad man’s brow furrowed.
“Go tell the old man to stop putting his thoughts on me,” the black-caped man coldly interrupted.
“Let’s go. Unless there’s something important, don’t come find me.” He didn’t want to return or take the position of the Night’s leader, despite the old master’s expectations. He left without looking back, confident there was no impact on the old master or the organization.
“Yes, young master. But how should we handle the woman hiding there?” The black-clad man’s voice dropped, concealing murderous intent.
“Don’t touch her. I’ll handle it. You can go.” The cape-wearing man’s tone remained unchanged, his sharp black eyes as emotionless as ever.
After the three black-clad men left, he took out a cigarette, lit it, and elegantly puffed, exhaling wisps of white smoke.
His cool demeanor, especially while smoking, made her shiver inexplicably. For some reason, she wasn’t afraid of him.
Even as he slowly approached her, she felt he wouldn’t harm her. If he wanted her life, she would have been dead long ago. She wondered if she was missing a screw or just naturally optimistic; how could she remain calm in such a dangerous situation?
Probably her natural optimism!
Looking at this black-caped man with a killer’s appearance, Luo Yaling thought he might be a softie who couldn’t even hold a gun steadily.
However, she aimed her camera lens at his handsome, cold features. Suddenly losing her focus, Luo Yaling lowered her camera and gave a silly smile. “Hello, sir!” She played dumb, revealing a mysterious sense that felt familiar.
But she had no time to think further because he was reaching for her camera.
“Sir, why are you taking my camera?” Luo Yaling exclaimed, instinctively trying to reclaim it. But her hand wasn’t fast enough. He pulled out the film, ruining her hard-earned shots. Tears of grief filled her eyes.
Without saying a word, the man threw the now-filmless camera back at her and turned to walk away.
Her exclusive news was gone so easily!
“Wait, stop right there!”
Disregarding her own safety, Luo Yaling quickly blocked his path, glaring at him with anger. This was an exclusive shot she’d risked her life to capture, and he had just ruined the film.
“Sir, do you know this roll of film had other important information? How are you going to compensate me for my loss?” Could she be satisfied? Absolutely not. Although some said she was tactless, when she entered journalism, she understood certain truths.
Even if he wanted to silence her, she wasn’t afraid. Her instinct told her he wasn’t a great evil, so she believed she wasn’t in immediate danger.
Chapter 4: Memories
“I advise you to forget about it.”
What? Tell her to forget? Calm down. Impulsiveness is the devil! Luo Yaling was shouting in her heart. She took a deep breath…
“Uh-huh, sir, I’ll try my best to forget what happened tonight.” She deliberately raised her voice to sound cooperative.
The man in front of her rarely smiled, and when he forced an unnatural one, it made people uncomfortable, at least to Luo Yaling.
Shen Yixuan slowly withdrew his gaze and was about to leave.
“Hey, how can you just walk away like that?” How unfair! But why did Luo Yaling feel even a hint of reluctance at his departure? Was it because of his wounded look?
No! She dismissed the notion, believing it was his unwillingness to have his negatives exposed.
Shen Yixuan didn’t look back, continuing on his way.
“Are you really just walking away?” Luo Yaling asked frantically.
“You’d better quickly leave my sight,” Shen Yixuan warned.
“What if I don’t?” She had caught their “illegal transaction” and couldn’t let such an opportunity slip away. It would be letting herself down.
His footsteps paused momentarily, yet he still wouldn’t look at her, merely sighing softly as if she were being unreasonable.
Her anger grew, intensified by his refusal to meet her gaze. “May I have the honor of knowing your name?” she blurted out. Damn! She wanted to hit him. Actually, she wanted to know him. Crazy! Luo Yaling acknowledged her own weirdness.
Shen Yixuan regarded this bold girl approaching recklessness. If things were different, her fate might have been… Perhaps it was her resemblance to Linger that stirred something in him? Was he being too nostalgic?
Why would he keep associating this girl with Linger?
Luo Yaling, slightly furrowed in her brow, pressed, “Hey, are you going to answer or not?” She was furious; he was acting aloof. Cursing silently, she added, “If you don’t tell me, that’s fine. I’ll find out someday.”
Shen Yixuan simply smiled, dismissing her. Though she was brave and clever, this approach towards him contrasted starkly with what she might have faced from the three men in black who had just left.
When he continued to ignore her, Luo Yaling felt disappointed. “I’ll remember you!” she declared, turning and running off, disappearing down the alley.
Shen Yixuan’s only response was to keep walking, as if the interruption had never happened. The memory of her face faded, replaced by another stunning visage.
“Linger,” he revealed a pained expression.
Three years ago, after completing the old man’s task, he hurried back. Zhuo Ling, excited to see him, called his name, but when she saw someone raising a gun to shoot at him, she bravely blocked the shot.
“Whoosh” “Bang” – the gunshot shocked Shen Yixuan.
Time seemed to freeze.
After a moment, Shen Yixuan regained his senses and rushed to catch the falling Zhuo Ling. Wang Liang and Xu Chu, just arrived, stared at Zhuo Ling lying in a pool of blood.
“Linger, wake up. I’m back. You’ll be fine; we’ll go to the hospital. Xu Chu, call a car! Wang Liang, go after the shooter!” Shen Yixuan panicked, repeatedly telling himself she would be fine.
“Xuan…” Zhuo Ling whispered weakly.
“Yes, I’m here. Don’t talk; we’ll be at the hospital soon. You wanted me to cook for you, right? I’ll cook when we get back! Stay with me!” He couldn’t cook at all; he just wanted her to stay awake.
“Great, my Xuan is going to cook for me, ugh…” Zhuo Ling coughed up blood.
“Don’t talk; drive faster! Why are you going so slow?” Linger’s blood terrified him. He wiped her flowing blood with trembling hands, covering her chest, but it kept coming. Tears streamed down his face, falling onto Zhuo Ling.
Zhuo Ling felt the tears on her face: “Xuan, don’t cry, that’s not cool. I’m fine, I’m still waiting for you to cook for me!” She raised her heavy hand to wipe away his tears, cracking a joke.
“Yes, I’ll make your favorite.”
“Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, don’t skip meals again.”
