The Abyss

Four months later, Lawrence and Francis, who had been secretly recruiting, received assistance from two high-level talents, successfully assassinating Cao Kun and capturing Edward alive. All the private banks and amusement parks under Lu Jinghao’s name were cheaply acquired, and since then, no one has seen the couple. Rumors have it that they were put under house arrest, but no one could verify the truth of these rumors. The old organization thus collapsed, and Lawrence aggressively absorbed the talents and funds from the original organization, rapidly developing the new one. After a victory, celebration is a tradition for them. The banquet was held at Francis’s private villa, where Lu Tuo had already become a senior designer in the new organization’s armament division. The organization kept its promise, not interfering with his personal life at all, and even invited Dong Qin to join the grand celebration. “Today, we have invited a mysterious chef whose dishes will surely surprise you,” Francis said as Lu Tuo arrived with Dong Qin, winking at her. Lu Tuo frowned, “Mr. Francis, you always like to keep secrets. Are we here just for the food? And why won’t you tell me where Cui Yun is?” Francis laughed, just about to speak when Lawrence approached with a cocktail in hand. “Young Lu, getting too angry is bad for your health. Besides, we don’t want a bloodbath among our talents just as the organization stabilizes. Cui Yun is a spy, and you should know their actions require high secrecy. If you keep asking, you’re breaking the rules, and there will be consequences.” He handed over a Bloody Mary, “Here’s your punishment, drink it in one go to celebrate our victory.” Lu Tuo had no choice but to comply. These old men always had tricks up their sleeves, overly protective of Cui Yun, clearly showing favoritism. He and Cui Yun needed to settle things, about Dong Qin, about their friendship… many things. “Alright, we have some matters to discuss. Young Lu, take your girlfriend around and enjoy yourselves. Miss Dong Qin, feel at home,” Francis said, winking at Dong Qin again before leaving with Lawrence with a smile. What did he mean? Dong Qin was somewhat bewildered. Why wink twice? “What would you like to drink?” Lu Tuo asked her, “You’re allergic to alcohol, how about some juice?” Dong Qin smiled slightly, “No, have you forgotten? I only drink cold water.” Lu Tuo tapped his head, “This bad habit of yours, it’s hard to change. It’s not easy to please you.” Dong Qin laughed. As they were talking, a young woman in a white dress approached. Dong Qin looked at her familiar face with confusion, a name on the tip of her tongue. The woman walked up to Lu Tuo and smiled, “You did bring her, now I can finally rest assured.” Lu Tuo snorted, “I haven’t settled the score with you about your undercover activities.” “Xiao Ai!” Dong Qin exclaimed softly, looking at her incredulously. Wasn’t she a maid of the Lu family? Why was she here? Xiao Ai extended her hand, “Let me reintroduce myself, Miss Zuo Dong Qin. My full name is Amy Green. I am of Chinese descent and an agent in the new organization. Please take care of me in the future.” Dong Qin shook her hand in a daze, suddenly feeling the world was full of wonders. Xiao Ai leaned in and whispered, “The chef today is very famous, don’t you want to try his signature dishes?” Lu Tuo put his arm around Dong Qin’s waist, “Let’s go together. If Mr. Francis recommends him, it would be a shame not to try.” Xiao Ai rolled her eyes and laughed, “Yes, it would be a great disappointment if we don’t.” She led them to a small hall on the second floor, which puzzled Dong Qin as there were dining tables on the first floor. Lu Tuo, already cold, asked, “What’s this about? Can you explain, Miss Green?” Xiao Ai, without looking back, laughed, “Are you scared?” Lu Tuo’s face turned stern, “Let’s see what tricks you have!” He walked into the small hall with Dong Qin, where a round Chinese dining table was set with vibrant Eastern dishes. Dong Qin’s mind was like lightning, and she let out an “Ah!” “Don’t forget what was said!” She remembered Cui Yun’s words, feeling waves of emotion surge through her, and she stood frozen. It was him! He was here! Her body began to tremble slightly, unsure if it was from excitement or something else. Xiao Ai had them sit down, laughing, “Try it, the taste should be excellent.” Lu Tuo was already suspicious; after a sip of the soup, his eyes narrowed. No mistake, only one person could produce such a flavor! “Since this chef made a special meal for us, shouldn’t he come out so we can thank him?” he said coldly, then shouted, “Cui Yun! You bastard, come out! How long do you plan to hide?” Xiao Ai burst into laughter, stepping aside to watch the drama unfold. A door beside the small hall opened, and Cui Yun, in a white suit, holding a bright red rose, leaned against the doorframe, smiling. “Beautiful lady,” he said, approaching Dong Qin, kneeling halfway. “Allow me to exchange this long-overdue feast for your most precious heart.” He kissed her hand, placed the rose behind her ear, and his fingers caressed the scar on her lip, now healed. His gaze was tender and intense, seemingly focused only on her. Dong Qin instinctively reached for the flower, stunned for a moment before murmuring, “You…” She was at a loss for words. Lu Tuo stood up abruptly, causing a spoon to clatter to the floor and break. “Cui Yun! You damn!” He roared, grabbing Cui Yun by the collar and pressing him against the wall. “We need to settle our accounts!” Cui Yun lazily looked at Xiao Ai, “You should settle accounts with those old men; they want a show, and I’m just cooperating.” He winked at Dong Qin, “I won’t give up on you. Never.” Lu Tuo roared, Xiao Ai laughed, and Dong Qin picked up her chopsticks, seriously beginning to eat this long-promised meal. Cui Yun’s lazy eyes finally showed a flicker of emotion, perhaps excitement or joy. He murmured, “Life is too dull, how could I give up on someone so interesting…” He smiled at Lu Tuo. “Right, young Lu?” The world can be dull, and if one willingly falls into the abyss, no one can stop them. The person who pulled her up, was it Lu Tuo, or was it herself? Cui Yun pondered, perhaps both. Behind them were massive, shadowy hands that pulled her out of the abyss. Then, she fell into another abyss. This abyss had its own sun, moon, and sky, a mysterious, unknown world where hope and despair intertwined. (End of the story)