Fan Series #2; Unpredicted Dreams

7; Stab

HANG

"Damn, this place is so stinky and disgusting," I muttered under my breath, wrinkling my nose at the overpowering odor of decay that permeated the air. Trash littered the ground, and the sight of rotting debris only added to my frustration.

How could someone, especially someone as wealthy as the guy we were after, tolerate such squalor?

"Oh yeah, he's really that old to decide on good things though," Yuhan remarked dryly, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Let's just get this mission done quickly and get out of here. We'll need a serious scrubbing session later, probably a hundred thousand hours' worth..."

"That's overreacting, Yuhan," Ji chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood. "Anyway, Zhubao's been eyeing you two for the past minute, and she looks like she's ready to take you out herself..."

I followed Ji's gaze to where Zhubao stood, her expression a mix of impatience and annoyance. I shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of my head awkwardly as I offered a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Zhubao—"

"Just go to the left with Ji and me, Yuhan, bring the rest to the right," Zhubao instructed tersely before striding away, her purposeful steps leaving no room for argument. Ji simply shrugged and draped an arm over my shoulders as we fell into step beside her.

Upon reaching our destination, Zhubao wasted no time in confronting the target, her gun leveled between his eyes as he raised his arms in surrender.

"Looks like she doesn't need us after all; we're just here for moral support," I quipped, attempting to inject some levity into the tense atmosphere.

"You didn't bring any popcorn..." Ji hissed playfully, pinching my arm. "Damn it, you should bring some next time we have a mission."

"Yeah, you're right, Mr..." I nodded absentmindedly, my attention drawn back to Zhubao as she advanced toward the target, her gaze ablaze with righteous fury. "Oh, shit..."

"Why did you take my son and go back in here just now after four whole months?" Zhubao demanded, her voice sharp and unforgiving as she loomed over the trembling figure. I could feel the tension crackling in the air, the weight of her words hanging heavy with unspoken threat.

"Am I still your old man after all?" the target's retort dripped with insolence, provoking Zhubao's anger further. If she were the type to act impulsively, his brain would likely be splattered across the filthy ground by now. But Zhubao's patience, though strained, held firm.

"Hell to your thoughts, why did you take my son?" Zhubao repeated, her voice low and menacing. If I were in her shoes, I'd have unleashed my fury with a punch to the face, but Zhubao remained eerily composed, her resolve unyielding.

"Mom, stop it, I can handle this!" Yong's sudden appearance caught us all off guard as he brandished a dagger on the old man, his voice trembling with anger and frustration. "Fuck you, I was starving for a week! You only fed me during the first three months!"

But our moment of confrontation was interrupted by the wail of police sirens in the distance. I glanced out the window, my mind momentarily distracted by the approaching sound. "The cops are near," I announced.

"Take that dagger, Cike!" Zhubao commanded, snatching her son from the brink of violence and passing him to me with a smirk. "Can you run faster to the car and take my son home?"

I nodded, hurrying to comply with her orders as I made my way to the waiting vehicle with my roller blades. "Wait here, Yong, you should—"

"But Uncle, Mom said you should take me home. That means you have to," Yong insisted, his words carrying a weight of determination that belied his youth. "She has plans."