As soon as Luan Xie and He Shun slipped past the guards, the insider gave them a brief nod before turning away, leaving them on their own. It was clear that any further involvement would put the insider in serious danger, and they couldn't risk being caught alongside Luan Xie and He Shun.
The two of them stood in the dimly lit hallway, the tension thick in the air. He Shun's heart pounded in his chest, each beat louder than the last. The reality of their situation was sinking in—there was no turning back now. Every step forward was a step deeper into the unknown, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Luan Xie glanced at He Shun, their eyes locking in a brief, intense moment. There was a silent understanding between them, a mutual acknowledgement of the risks they were taking. But there was also something more, something that neither of them had put into words yet.
"We're on our own from here," Luan Xie whispered, his voice barely audible.
He Shun nodded, trying to steady his breathing. He could see the determination in Luan Xie's eyes, and it gave him the strength to push down his own fears. They had come this far together, and no matter what happened next, they were in it together.
"Let's go," He Shun replied, his voice firm. He didn't know what awaited them, but as long as they faced it side by side, he felt like they could take on anything.
He Shun and Luan Xie walked into The Vice, trying to act as casual as possible as they made their way through the huge, extravagant hall. The place was every bit as luxurious as they had imagined—marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and guests who looked like they walked straight out of a high-end fashion magazine.
But behind all the glitz, the security was impossible to ignore. Guards were everywhere, their eyes constantly scanning the room. He Shun could feel them watching as he and Luan Xie moved through the crowd, trying to blend in without attracting any unwanted attention.
Thanks to Mire, they had new identities that allowed them to mix with the wealthy patrons. He Shun was now posing as a young entrepreneur, dressed in a suit that made him look the part. Luan Xie was his mysterious companion, exuding just the right amount of charm and danger to fit in.
As they walked, He Shun stole a glance at Luan Xie. He seemed to slip into his role with ease, moving through the room like he belonged there. But He Shun could tell he was just as tense as he was, especially when he noticed how Luan Xie's hand hovered near the inside pocket of his jacket in nervousness.
"Stick close," He Shun muttered under his breath as they passed by a particularly stern-looking guard.
Luan Xie gave a slight nod, his nerves buzzing as they weaved through the crowd. They had a mission to complete—to find the bracelet, and they needed to do it quickly before anyone realized who they really were. For now, all they could do was play along, keep their heads down, and hope they didn't slip up.
They had about a week left before the auction. It wasn't much, but it would have to be enough to find Luan Xie's bracelet and get out before anyone noticed they were missing.
As they walked through the quiet corridors of The Vice, He Shun couldn't help but glance at Luan Xie, trying to read the expression on his face. Luan Xie's usual calm exterior was still there, but He Shun knew him well enough by now to sense the undercurrent of anxiety.
"You sure about this?" Luan Xie asked quietly, breaking the silence. "We're cutting it close."
He Shun looked at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I've never been more sure of anything."
Luan Xie's eyes softened as he looked at He Shun. "You don't have to do this, you know. I know I told you to help me, but I did not want to put your life in danger."
He Shun let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "I'm here because I want to be. You're not in this alone."
Luan Xie's gaze lingered on He Shun for a moment, something unspoken passing between them. "You're risking a lot for me."
"Yeah, well," He Shun shrugged, trying to play it off even though his heart was pounding. He looked at Luan Xie, his gaze lingering. "Some things are worth the risk."
Luan Xie took a step closer, his expression more serious. "You don't have to go through with this if you're having second thoughts."
He Shun met his eyes, steady and unwavering. "I'm not going anywhere, Luan Xie. We're in this together."
For a moment, the tension seemed to ease between them, replaced by a quiet understanding. Then, Luan Xie nodded, a faint smile returning to his lips. "Alright. Let's get that bracelet and get out of here."
He Shun couldn't help but smile back. "Lead the way."
As they continued down the hallway, side by side, the weight of what they were about to do hung heavy in the air, but so did something else—something unspoken but powerful, a bond that had grown between them over the past few days. They both knew the risks, but they also knew they were stronger together.
They soon found their room, tucked away in a quiet corner of The Vice. The door clicked shut behind them, and the tension that had been simmering outside seemed to ease just a bit.
He Shun quickly scanned the room, checking for any hidden cameras or listening devices. Satisfied that they were safe for the moment, he turned to Luan Xie, who was already setting down the small bag they'd brought with them.
"So, this is it," Luan Xie said, looking around. The room was just as luxurious as the rest of The Vice, with plush furnishings and soft lighting, but the opulence did little to calm the nerves buzzing under his skin. "Feels strange, being in a place like this."
He Shun nodded, his eyes meeting Luan Xie's. "Yeah, it does. But we're here now, and we have to stay focused."
He Shun walked over to the window, pulling the curtain back just enough to peek outside. The view overlooked the sprawling gardens below, perfectly manicured and eerily still. "We've got about a week," he said, almost to himself. "We need to start making moves tomorrow."
Luan Xie came up beside him, looking out over the gardens as well. "We'll find it," he said softly, the determination in his voice cutting through the quiet.
He Shun turned to face him, their shoulders almost touching. "We've made it this far," he said, his voice steady. "We'll get through this."
Luan Xie looked at him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, he reached out, his hand lightly brushing against He Shun's. "I know we will," he said quietly. "I just… don't want anything to happen to you."
He Shun felt a warmth spread through him at the touch, something that made the fear and uncertainty fade just a little. He gave Luan Xie a small, reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. We both will."
For a moment, they just stood there, the weight of their situation hanging in the air between them. Then, Luan Xie pulled his hand back, his eyes lingering on He Shun's for just a second longer before He Shun turned away.
"Get some rest," He Shun said, heading toward the bed. "We're going to need all the energy we can get."
Luan Xie watched him for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, you're right."
As they settled into the room, the tension began to ebb away, replaced by a quiet resolve. But for Luan Xie, everything about this place felt strange, almost surreal. He wasn't from this timeline—from this world of gleaming modernity and complex technology. He was from a time where life was simpler, where things moved slower, and the kind of opulence The Vice flaunted was something out of a fantasy.
Luan Xie wandered over to the window, his fingers lightly brushing the cool glass as he looked out over the city. The skyline was lit up with a thousand lights, a far cry from the dim lanterns and moonlit streets he was used to. The noise, the speed, the sheer scale of everything—it was all overwhelming.
He Shun, noticing the unease in Luan Xie's expression, walked over and stood beside him. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" he asked gently, his voice breaking the silence.
Luan Xie nodded, his eyes still fixed on the bustling city below. "I've never seen anything like this," he admitted, his voice carrying a hint of awe mixed with uncertainty. "Everything's so different… so fast."
He Shun leaned against the window, his shoulder just inches from Luan Xie's. "This world can be pretty overwhelming, even for someone who's lived here all their life," he said with a small smile. "I can't imagine what it must feel like for you."
Luan Xie turned to face He Shun, searching his eyes for some kind of reassurance. "It feels like I'm in a dream I can't wake up from," he confessed. "Everything I know is… gone. And this—this world doesn't make sense to me."
He Shun's heart ached at the vulnerability in Luan Xie's voice. He reached out, placing a hand on Luan Xie's arm, a gentle, grounding touch. "I'm here," He Shun said softly. "I know this world is confusing, but you're not alone in it. We'll get through this together."
Luan Xie looked down at He Shun's hand on his arm, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the room. "Thank you," he whispered, the words carrying more weight than he could express.
He Shun smiled, a reassuring, genuine smile. "We've got a mission to focus on, but we'll take it one step at a time. And if you need help, if you need to talk, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Luan Xie nodded, the tension in his chest easing slightly. He still felt out of place in this timeline, but with He Shun by his side, the world didn't seem quite as overwhelming. There was something grounding about He Shun's presence, something that made Luan Xie feel like he could face whatever challenges this strange new world threw at him.
"We should rest," He Shun said after a moment, his voice soft but steady. "We'll need all our energy for what's coming."
Luan Xie nodded again, turning away from the window and following He Shun to the bed. As they settled in, the unfamiliarity of the surroundings seemed less daunting, the strange new world a little less alien. They were from different times, different worlds, but right now, they had each other, and that was enough.