"Yes."
"Look Ding, I know you don't like it when I try and interfere with your business but this is too risky. I can't let you do this on your own."
"Young master, since you know what I like and dislike, then you should also know that when I have a target in mind, I don't rest until I've eliminated them off the face of the earth right?"
"I know that but..."
"Then it's settled you won't try and stop me right?"
Tsun looked at Ding and the determination that was in his eyes spoke loudly of his conclusive decision. He let out a resigned exhale and slowly ran his fingers through Asahi's thick hair with a distant gaze in his eyes.
"You won't listen to me no matter what I say right?"
"Am afraid you won't be able to talk me out of this."
Tsun finally raised his eyes from Asahi to Ding and smiled," Am always available in case you need my help."
"I'll keep that in mind but I don't think there'll be any need to trouble you."
Tsun snickered gently at this and gave him a wide grin before jokingly speaking up," Don't you go being all reckless and die out there."
"Very funny."
"It doesn't hurt to be cautious you know."
Ding laughed softly before speaking up in a sarcastic tone," Thank you for your love and concern young master."
Ding parked his car in front of the breath-taking three story glass building which was just an hour drive from the park. He got out of his car and surveyed the building through his dark shades.
"You made it," a female voice sounded from behind him.
Ding slowly turned and faced the young lady who did not look like her age as she walked up to him bags in hand.
"You made it early, I was sure you'd get lost."
Ding wrapped his hands around her in an embrace.
"Don't be ridiculous Lily. Who is stupid enough to miss such a landmark?" he asked and took the bags from her hands.
"My, what a gentleman," she said and swung her arm over his.
Ding stopped once they were the door and turned around eyes scanning the area for anything out of place.
"Is something wrong?" Lily asked the concern in her voice certain.
"No.. it's nothing. Let's go."
The two walked into the building and headed to Lily's apartment.
"Here," she said and tossed a pair of slippers by Ding's feet.
"This place is amazing," he exclaimed and Lily giggled at this.
"You know something, seeing that shimmer in your eyes reminds me of when we first met," she said as she busied herself taking the ingredients from the bags.
Ding groaned and walked over to her and sat on the counter and watched her.
"You did that too back then."
"Did what?" he asked baffled.
"I remember when you first came here with your sister, your eyes were glowing as they are now."
"Glowing? Aren't you exaggerating things?"
Lily threw some vegetables in his direction which he easily caught without batting an eyelid.
"Why are you suddenly hostile?" he asked waving the bag in his hand.
"Same as usual?"
Ding walked from where he was seated and placed the bag in the refrigerator.
"Need any help?" he asked not that he wanted to help out but rather as a sign of being polite.
"Bastard, you said that just to be polite right?"
"Oops! Did I speak that out loud?"
Lily let out a hearty chuckle at this and waved her hand chasing him away as she busied herself preparing the food. Ding walked into the living room and immediately the rabbit cage at the edge of the room just near the window caught his attention. He walked towards the cage and sat cross legged beside the cage. As if drawn to the mysterious guy by the cage, the rabbit approached him curiously.
"Hmm…"
Ding opened the cage and took the brown rabbit in his arms. He rubbed on its head and he was amazed at its distinctive coat, which had a shiny, satin-like appearance. Its fur was dense, fine, and glossy, giving it a luxurious appearance.
"It seems like you like Mimi."
As if sensing the sound of her master, Mimi hopped from Ding's arms and rushed towards Lily.
"Careful!" she exclaimed," I've never seen her this excited before."
She handed Ding a bowl of food and sat opposite him feeding some fresh greens to Mimi who was cuddled on her lap.
"Why a bunny?"
"Hmm?"
"Why did you choose to raise a bunny? There are plenty of pets to choose from."
" Because of their low maintenance."
"Low maintenance?"
"Yeah, rabbits only need a clean living environment, fresh water, fresh vegetables and pellets. Plus, compared to other pets, my Mimi is the cutest!" she squealed excitedly and Ding turned his attention to his food.
Lily watched him and smiled warmly," Okay okay I'll stop messing around. Do you really want to know why I keep a bunny?"
Ding raised his head his curiosity at its peak. Lily rubbed the base of Mimi's ears and silently watched her nibble on the leaves in small bites.
"Your sister and I promised to buy and raise a bunny together to celebrate her twenty fifth birthday.."
Ding swallowed the food in his mouth before replying," She did love little hamsters but bunnies were her favourite."
Lily's eyes slowly began to water and Ding inherently raised his hand and wiped her tears away.
"Lily?"
"Am okay… so, why did you want to meet up?" she asked deliberately changing the topic.
"Oh!"
Ding looked at her as if a switch had just flipped in his mind.
"Right… I needed your help."
"Oh?" she asked interestedly," what is it that not even the mighty Ding can solve?"
" 'Mighty Ding' ?"
She shrugged her shoulders and sat up right ready to hear Ding's narration. A few hours passed and Lily who was resting her head on the palm of her right hand let out a sigh.
"I see."
"Can you help me find out if the location is true?"
Lily grinned before shuffling Ding's hair," Anything for my best friend's baby brother."
"H, hey! Am not a child anymore," he pouted childishly and Lily let out a gasp.
"Everything okay?"
Lily stretched her hand and grabbed him by his chin and turned his head from left to right examining him.
"You're right… you aren't a kid anymore. Look at how handsome you are! So hot and charming!"
Cold chills ran down his spine and his entire body shivered at this. He quickly pulled away and Lily tilted her head in confusion at his reaction.
"Don't say such things!" he exclaimed from the safety of the curtain.
"You ran away so fast. Are you a cat?"
"It's, it's all your fault for saying something so weird out of nowhere!" he replied defensively.
"Come here."