The Underground City during the day remained as tranquil as ever. Dense fog swirled overhead, resembling a lifeless, ghostly city where migrating birds dared not pause to rest.
After the call was abruptly terminated, Xu Si could tell from that final "okay" that the man was in a good mood. Even if his temperant, identity, and status had changed, the innate talent one is born with would not. Having raised the young boy for several years, she knew all too well how keen his observational talents were. Therefore, she was even more certain of what she needed to do right now: hurry to Gambling City, et Aier, and get the Identity Card. Otherwise, it would be too late.
That day, a dreary rain blanketed the sky. Xu Si took her gun and phone, chose an unassuming car from the garage, and swiftly headed to the city center with a few bodyguards. This was what Pei Zhen had promised her. Ever since he had awakened, the servants had never again restricted her movents under the guise of protection.
The roar of the engine and the sound of the wind and rain filled her ears. Xu Si drove as if racing against life itself, speeding through the streets of the Triad Society district. Anyone who spotted the car’s license plate stayed well clear. It wasn’t until she arrived at Gambling City that her surroundings beca utterly quiet.
As autumn approached the Underground City, the air was still humid and stiflingly hot. The empty streets radiated heat, yet they couldn’t dispel the fog that hung beneath the cloud cover.
Holding her gun, Xu Si had just gotten out of the car when she heard soone calling her na.
"Xu."
Looking in the direction of the voice, Xu Si saw Aier’s sedan. The white car had its windows half open to let air in. The license plate bore the unique symbol-number arrangent of Germany. A driver was at the wheel, while a gentlemanly dressed man sat in the backseat, looking very familiar.
Xu Si’s upturned peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly as she walked over. "Long ti no see."
The man didn’t have traditional German features; he was likely of mixed heritage. Seeing Xu Si approach, he casually shook his wallet and said cheerfully, "Xu, long ti no see. It’s too early now; this is a city for the nightti, as I believe you understand. How about we have dinner together tonight?"
"My assistant told the person coming to help is nad Aier," Xu Si smiled. "I suppose you haven’t changed your na, Jarvis."
"Your mory is still so good." Jarvis’s thick eyebrows relaxed, and he smiled. "I purposely used a fake na, hoping to give you a surprise. After all, our relationship was quite good in Germany, and your sudden departure hurt ."
Xu Si smiled composedly. She didn’t bring up that awkward past. In Germany, the two had indeed been good friends. Jarvis often organized trips for a small group of close friends, and occasionally, when Xu Si didn’t want to be alone, she would join them. Their interactions were comfortable and enjoyable, coming from similar family circumstances with much in common to talk about.
But during a graduation trip, Jarvis suddenly approached her and earnestly asked her to stay in Germany for him. This was unexpected for Xu Si. Their relationship had always been that of classmates and friends, never overstepping boundaries, and Xu Si certainly had no such intentions. After refusing him, she took the earliest flight from their travel destination back to Hong Kong Island that very sa day.
She thought that would be the end of their connection. She never expected their next eting to be like this.
With Xu Si’s striking appearance and distinguished family background, in her somber monts, she was like an untouchable snow moon atop a desolate mountain peak, capable of drawing such young elites to her side. Jarvis was just one of that pursuing crowd. He looked at Xu Si’s increasingly enchanting face, a hint of longing in his eyes, and took the initiative to ask how she had ended up in the Underground City. Xu Si kept it simple, brushing off the topic with a few brief sentences.
Jarvis noticed her urgency and asked with a smile, "Xu, is sothing chasing you? You’re too tense, not like yourself at all."
"Yes, I have so matters to attend to and cannot stay long," Xu Si responded with polite courtesy. "Perhaps we could talk about the Identity Card? I really need it. Could you consider selling it to ?"
"I hurried over precisely to give you the card, but..." Jarvis looked at her and smiled, his words trailing off. Even gentlen have days when they feel helpless. He had pursued Xu Si for many years. "Xu, give a chance, let’s try again. I can’t bear the thought of you leaving anymore."
The atmosphere began to shift towards one of deep affection. A thousand-mile rescue might seem romantic, yet Xu Si felt troubled. She smiled apologetically: "Jarvis, perhaps we are better off as friends. I am grateful that you could co. Once I return, I will send a generous antique gift to your mother, who loves collecting antiques. But I won’t gamble with emotions."
For so reason, as she said this, Xu Si felt sowhat guilty. She suddenly rembered that night in the mansion when she kissed the silver-haired man across that thin strip of silvery gauze in exchange for guns and communication equipnt. No matter how you looked at it, that was gambling with emotions—and she was naturally talented at it, winning decisively.
Jarvis’s expression fell for a mont, but he still took out the card. "Xu, I am willing to give you the Identity Card unconditionally. Please also believe that before my family arranges a marriage for , I am willing to wait for you."
This waiting ca with conditions. Young noblen like him couldn’t possibly abandon their vast family fortunes for an uncertain person. This didn’t an their love was shallow, only that it was very rational.
"Jarvis, perhaps there’s no need to wait for . Anyway, I need to thank you. Once I’m back on Hong Kong Island, you are welco to visit." Xu Si understood this all too well and didn’t care whether he waited for her or not. She reached out to take the Identity Card.
BANG!
A bullet fired from the top of Gambling City accurately pierced the card. Xu Si’s body stiffened like stone. She chanically turned her head, her eyes wide with panic at the sight of a round, black gun barrel emitting wisps of white smoke and heat.
Before she could react, soone laughed nearby and called out, "Auntie."
Xu Si turned again, staring at him. In the mont their eyes t, the mist of late sumr and early autumn carried a damp chill that made her scalp tingle.
Pei Zhen stood among a crowd of dark-clad figures, his long legs casually straight as he leaned against a black car. His arm near his injured heart hung limply, while his other hand held a cigarette. His smoke-wreathed face was smiling, yet the gaze from his ash-grey eyes was extrely ominous.
"This man is very dangerous, daring to shoot in the city. Xu, you should be hiding behind ." Jarvis grabbed Xu Si’s hand and pulled her behind him, his eyes stern, projecting the air of an imposing protector confronting the villain, his words equally righteous. "The gang mbers here shouldn’t bully a distinguished outsider. Exactly what are you?"
Pei Zhen glanced at where their skin touched. He found the sight jarring and let out a huffing laugh. His sharp, handso face shone like white jade in the sunlight. He raised his hand, pointing at Jarvis, his entire being radiating a dangerous, unrestrained, and wild aura. "I’m talking to the beautiful lady behind you. Interrupt again, and my job today will be to facilitate your speedy acquaintance with death."
He could speak German, with no language barrier, and his pronunciation was precise and clear.
In an instant, the gun barrel on the rooftop swung around, aiming straight at Jarvis’s heart.
Reviews
All reviews (0)