The auction was merely a day away, and the tension was palpable. Luan Xie and He Shun started their day in a rush, their movements hurried and minds racing. The bracelet, their only hope of stopping Ye Rou, was set to be auctioned off, and they couldn't afford to lose it. They had to act fast.
Luan Xie adjusted the collar of his shirt, his fingers trembling slightly with a mix of nerves and determination. He glanced over at He Shun, who was buttoning his jacket with the same focused intensity. They had been through so much together already, and now, with the final confrontation looming, the stakes had never been higher.
As they were about to leave, ready to search for the bracelet, the door to their room suddenly slammed open with a force that echoed through the small space. Both men spun around, their hearts leaping into their throats.
Standing in the doorway, his presence commanding and eyes cold, was Ye Rou.
The air in the room seemed to freeze, the tension crackling like electricity. Luan Xie's breath caught in his chest as he locked eyes with Ye Rou, a storm of emotions swirling within him—fear, anger, betrayal, and something else, something darker.
Ye Rou stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over both of them, taking in the scene with an eerie calm. "Going somewhere?" he asked, his voice deceptively soft, but laced with an undercurrent of menace.
Luan Xie's fists clenched at his sides, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way out of this sudden confrontation. "What do you want?" he demanded, his voice steadier than he felt.
Ye Rou smiled, a chilling expression that didn't reach his eyes. "You know what I want, Luan Xie. Let's not pretend otherwise."
As Ye Rou stepped further into the room, he reached up and removed his mask with a deliberate, almost theatrical motion. The mask that had concealed his true intentions, his true self, was now discarded, leaving his face fully visible. He was back to normal, or at least what Luan Xie had once considered normal.
Seeing Ye Rou without the mask, without the pretense, sent a jolt of emotion through Luan Xie. The face before him was so familiar, yet now seemed alien, twisted by the knowledge of the betrayal and manipulation that lay behind those once-trusted eyes.
"I thought it was time to drop the act," Ye Rou said, his voice smooth, almost casual, as if they were simply old friends catching up. But there was a sharpness to his gaze, a dangerous edge that kept both Luan Xie and He Shun on high alert.
Luan Xie stared at him, his mind a whirlpool of conflicting memories. This was the face of the man who had once been everything to him, who had promised him the world and then ripped it away. And now, here he was, unmasked and unguarded, standing in their path just as they were about to make their move.
"What do you want, Ye Rou?" Luan Xie repeated, his voice harsher this time, the anger he'd kept bottled up threatening to spill over.
Ye Rou's smile widened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You know what I want, Luan Xie," he replied smoothly. "I want what's mine. And you, my dear, are standing in the way."
He took another step closer, his presence looming large in the small room. "I've come to offer you a choice," he continued, his tone almost mocking. "You can walk away now, leave everything behind, and live your life in peace. Or," he paused, his eyes flicking briefly to He Shun before returning to Luan Xie, "you can stay and fight. But we both know how that will end, don't we?"
Luan Xie's heart pounded in his chest as he tried to process Ye Rou's words. The calm, almost indifferent demeanor was more unsettling than any threat of violence. It was as if Ye Rou already believed he had won, that everything was already in his grasp.
But Luan Xie wasn't about to back down. Not now, not after everything that had happened.
"I'm not afraid of you anymore, Ye Rou," Luan Xie said, his voice firm, though his hands trembled slightly at his sides. "I won't let you win."
Ye Rou's expression darkened for a split second, a flicker of something more dangerous flashing in his eyes before he quickly masked it with a casual shrug. "We'll see about that, won't we?" he said softly.
He Shun instinctively stepped closer to Luan Xie, his body angled slightly in front of him, as if to shield him from whatever threat Ye Rou might pose. There was a quiet determination in He Shun's posture, a silent promise that he wouldn't let anything happen to Luan Xie, not while he was there.
Ye Rou's gaze flickered to He Shun, and for a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, a slow, calculating smile spread across his face. "How touching," he murmured, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "The loyal protector. But do you really think you can protect him from me, He Shun?"
He Shun didn't waver, his eyes locked onto Ye Rou's with unwavering resolve. "I'll do whatever it takes," he replied, his voice steady. "I won't let you hurt him."
Ye Rou's smile faltered slightly, the mask of calm slipping for just a moment as something darker and more dangerous flashed in his eyes. "You're brave, I'll give you that," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "But bravery won't be enough."
Luan Xie, feeling the tension radiating from He Shun, placed a hand on his arm, a silent acknowledgment of the support he was offering. But Luan Xie knew this confrontation wasn't just about physical protection. It was about the tangled web of emotions, betrayals, and power that had led them all to this moment.
"Ye Rou," Luan Xie said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "We're not backing down. Not this time."
Ye Rou's eyes narrowed, his smile finally fading as the seriousness of the situation settled in. He took a step back, his gaze sweeping over both of them with a calculating intensity. "Then I suppose we're done talking," he said softly, a dangerous edge to his tone.
He Shun and Luan Xie braced themselves, knowing that whatever happened next, they would face it together.
"Where is Zhong Qing?" Ye Rou's voice cut through the air with a sharp, demanding edge. His gaze flicked between Luan Xie and He Shun, eyes narrowing as he searched for any sign of deception.
Luan Xie stiffened, a mix of anger and betrayal simmering beneath the surface. "You think I'm going to tell you?" he shot back, his voice steady despite the turmoil roiling inside him.
Ye Rou's lips curled into a cold smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm not playing around, Luan Xie," he warned, taking a step closer. "Where. Is. He?"
He Shun, who had been silently watching the exchange, stepped in front of Luan Xie protectively. "Zhong Qing isn't here," he said firmly, meeting Ye Rou's gaze without flinching. "And even if he were, we wouldn't hand him over to you."
Ye Rou's smile faded, replaced by a look of frustration. He seemed to consider something for a moment, his gaze drifting past them as if weighing his options. Then, he sighed, a sound laced with annoyance. "You really have no idea what you're dealing with, do you?" he muttered, almost to himself.
Luan Xie's eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring. "What are you talking about?"
Ye Rou's gaze snapped back to them, his eyes hard. "Zhong Qing isn't your problem anymore. But if you've done anything to him… you'll regret it." There was an edge to his voice, a quiet threat that hung heavy in the air.
Luan Xie and He Shun exchanged a brief, tense glance. They didn't know if Ye Rou was bluffing or if there was something more sinister at play. But one thing was clear—Ye Rou wasn't going to let this go easily.
"You can stop with the threats, Ye Rou," Luan Xie said, his voice cold. "Whatever happens to Zhong Qing now, he's brought it on himself. Just like you have."
Ye Rou's hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles white as he fought to restrain his fury. He moved dangerously close to Luan Xie, his eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and desperation. If He Shun hadn't been there, Luan Xie might have felt the full force of Ye Rou's rage.
"For the last time," Ye Rou growled, his voice low and menacing, "where is he?"
Luan Xie, unfazed by the threat, met Ye Rou's gaze with cold defiance. "Why do you even care? Isn't it perfect? Zhong Qing revealed your identity to me, just as he betrayed me. If he ends up dead somewhere, it's a win-win for you, isn't it?"
He Shun, standing firmly beside Luan Xie, kept a vigilant eye on Ye Rou. He knew Luan Xie was on the edge, slipping back into his manipulative persona, but he was prepared to protect him no matter what.
Ye Rou's anger reached a boiling point, and his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Don't you dare think that I'd be pleased with his death. Where. Is. He?"
Luan Xie's expression remained unchanged, his tone dripping with calculated malice. "He betrayed you, Ye Rou. Isn't that enough? Why should I care if he's gone? You should be happy."
Ye Rou's eyes flashed with a dangerous intensity. "I don't care about the betrayal," he snapped, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. "If anything happens to him, I swear I'll make you both pay."
Luan Xie's smirk grew, but his eyes were cold. "Do what you must. But don't waste your time. Zhong Qing is no longer your concern."
Ye Rou's face twisted in a mixture of frustration and rage. He took a step back, his anger barely contained. "You're playing a dangerous game, Luan Xie. Don't forget, you're not the only one who can be ruthless."
Without another word, Ye Rou turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Luan Xie and He Shun to process the threat. The air was thick with tension, the weight of Ye Rou's promise hanging heavy between them.
He Shun glanced at Luan Xie, concern etched on his face. "Are you sure this is the right path? He's not going to back down easily."
Luan Xie's eyes remained fixed on the door Ye Rou had slammed shut. "We'll deal with him when the time comes. For now, let's focus on finding that bracelet. The auction is tomorrow, and we're running out of time."
"I might have a way, but it's dangerous."