The big day had finally arrived. Luan Xie and He Shun stood in the dimly lit alley, nervously waiting for Mire's contact to show up. Mire had been clear: the only way to get inside was through this insider. No other way.
Both men were on edge, the tension between them almost tangible. They knew the risks. One wrong move, and it could all come crashing down. Not just the mission of getting the bracelet back but their lives.
He Shun could feel his hands trembling slightly. He was starting to second-guess his decision. Was this really worth it? He had just begun to gain some recognition in the industry. If they got caught, even if he didn't end up dead, just being involved with the mafia would be the end of his career. He couldn't shake the thought. He could sacrifice a lot of things, but his life? His future?
As he stared down at the ground, a sense of dread creeping in, He Shun questioned the very thing that had brought him here. Was Luan Xie's bracelet really worth all this? Deep down, he knew the answer. No, it wasn't.
But then he glanced over at Luan Xie, standing tense but determined. He Shun realized the real question he had been avoiding: Was Luan Xie worth it? And without hesitation, he knew the answer to that was a resounding yes.
He Shun took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't back out now, not with Luan Xie standing so close, the weight of their situation hanging heavy in the air. Luan Xie looked so focused, his eyes sharp with determination, but He Shun could sense the underlying tension. He had seen that look before—when Luan Xie was determined to win a fight or when he made up his mind about something.
There was no turning back for him now.
The alley was eerily quiet, the only sound of the occasional drip of water from a nearby gutter. He Shun's thoughts raced, the doubts swirling in his mind. Any minute now, Mire's informer would show up. He Shun's stomach twisted into knots, fear creeping up his spine. But one look at Luan Xie, and he knew he couldn't let him do this alone.
Luan Xie caught He Shun's eye, his expression softening just for a moment. He knew He Shun was scared—hell, so was he. Even if Luan Xie was a fearless villain, labelled as a monster, he was still someone with emotions. He was not even home.
But they were in this together, and Luan Xie wasn't about to let go of the one person who had stood by him through everything. He gave He Shun a small, reassuring smile, his eyes speaking volumes. They would get through this. They had to.
"Just remember," He Shun said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, "stick to the plan. We get in, find the bracelet, and get out. Quick and clean. No heroics."
Luan Xie nodded, but the doubt gnawed at him, making his heart ache. He had to ask, even if he already knew the answer. "What if… what if something goes wrong? I mean, we could be walking into a trap for all we know."
He Shun's gaze softened as he reached out, his fingers lightly brushing against Luan Xie's hand. The touch was brief, but it sent a spark through Luan Xie, grounding him in the moment. "We don't have a choice, Luan Xie. That bracelet… it's more than just a piece of jewellery for you."
Luan Xie felt his heart soften. He leaned back against the wall, his mind drifting to thoughts that ate him from inside. He was so confused, and this was not even the time for this. For now, all he knew was that, "You are the only one I trust, He Shun."
He Shun felt a lump in his throat. It wasn't just about the bracelet now. It was about them. The unspoken bond that had grown between them, stronger than anything He Shun had ever known in a few days. He couldn't let Luan Xie down, not now, not ever.
Before He Shun could respond, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Both men tensed, their hands instinctively moving closer together, as if seeking comfort in each other's presence. This was it. The moment of truth.
A figure emerged from the shadows, their hood pulled low over their face. The informer. They stopped a few feet away from Luan Xie and He Shun, giving them a once-over before speaking in a low, gravelly voice.
"You two are the guys Mire sent?"
He Shun stepped forward, his voice steady, but his hand lingered near Luan Xie's, their fingers brushing ever so slightly. "That's right. You're gonna get us inside?"
The informer nodded, but his eyes were sharp, calculating. "Follow me. And remember, once we're in, you're on your own. No one's gonna save you if things go south."
He Shun's heart pounded as they started to follow the informer deeper into the alley. Each step felt like it could be his last, but he pushed the fear down, focusing on the one thing that mattered most: Luan Xie. If they made it through this, it would be because they had each other.
Luan Xie wasn't sure about a lot of things right now, but he knew one thing for certain—he'd go through hell and back for He Shun. And he had a feeling He Shun would do the same for him.
As they walked deeper into the alley, the silence between Luan Xie and He Shun grew heavier, each of them lost in their own tangled thoughts. The dim lights cast long shadows, playing tricks on their minds, amplifying the tension.
He Shun could feel his heart beating in his throat, the sound almost deafening in the quiet night. His mind raced with thoughts of what could go wrong, every possible scenario flashing before his eyes. The closer they got to the door that would take them inside, the more doubt crept into his mind. Was this really the right thing to do? Was this worth risking everything they had?
But then he would glance at Luan Xie, walking just a step ahead, his shoulders squared, and his gaze fixed forward. There was a strength in Luan Xie that He Shun had not noticed before, something unshakable that made him believe in the impossible. Yet, even with that strength, He Shun could see the tension in Luan Xie's posture, the way his hands clenched into fists every so often. Luan Xie was scared, too, and that made everything feel even more real.
Luan Xie's thoughts were a mess, his emotions all over the place. A part of him wanted to grab He Shun's arm and pull him back, tell him they didn't have to do this, that they could find another way. But another part, the part that had always followed He Shun without question, urged him to keep going.
But Luan Xie… he had his own demons to wrestle with. As much as he tried to focus on the plan, his mind kept drifting to He Shun. The look in He Shun's eyes when he had voiced his doubts had been like a punch to the gut. Luan Xie had always been able to rely on He Shun, had always known that no matter what, He Shun would stand by him ever since Luan Xie came here. But now, seeing that uncertainty, that fear… it made Luan Xie question everything.
He had dragged He Shun into this mess, all because of a bracelet that, on the surface, seemed like nothing more than a piece of jewellery. But to Luan Xie, it was so much more. It was a link to his past, a symbol of everything he had lost and everything he was trying to protect. But was it fair to ask He Shun to risk his life for it? Was it fair to ask He Shun to risk his future for something that might not even be worth it in the end?
Luan Xie clenched his jaw, the conflicting emotions tearing at him. He wanted to protect He Shun, to shield him from the danger they were walking into, but he also needed He Shun by his side. He needed that steady presence, the one person who had always been there for him. But was he being selfish? Was he putting He Shun in harm's way just because he couldn't bear the thought of facing this alone?
They reached the door, and the informer turned to them, his voice low and cautious. "This is it. Once you're inside, there's no turning back. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Luan Xie hesitated, his hand hovering near the door. He could feel He Shun's eyes on him, waiting for him to make the call. The weight of that trust, of He Shun's unwavering loyalty, was almost too much to bear. Luan Xie knew he had to be strong, had to keep pushing forward, but the doubt was like a poison, seeping into his thoughts.
He glanced over at He Shun, and for a moment, their eyes met. The unspoken connection between them was stronger than ever, a mix of fear, determination, and something else—something deeper that neither of them had ever fully acknowledged. Luan Xie could see the conflict in He Shun's eyes, the same conflict that was raging inside him. They were both scared, both uncertain, but there was something more powerful keeping them together.
Luan Xie's voice was barely a whisper when he spoke, the words heavy with emotion. "If you don't want to do this, He Shun, we can walk away right now. No one would blame you. I wouldn't blame you. I should not have forced you into this."
He Shun swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to speak. He knew Luan Xie was giving him an out, a chance to walk away and save himself from whatever was waiting on the other side of that door. But he also knew that if he took that chance, he would lose something far more important than his career or even his life.
With a shaky breath, He Shun reached out, his hand brushing against Luan Xie's, their fingers intertwining for just a moment. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes. "I'm with you, Luan Xie. No matter what."
Luan Xie felt a warmth spread through him at He Shun's words, the doubt in his mind easing just a little. They were in this together, for better or worse. And whatever happened next, Luan Xie knew that as long as He Shun was by his side, he could face anything.