the artist | haobin

Chapter Thirty

    Zhanghao sat at a table, his anxiety palpable as he observed the figure of Mr. Han slowly approaching him.

He couldn't deny that getting out of his room had been a breath of fresh air, both metaphorically and literally. The simple act of walking a longer distance, something he had taken for granted in the past, felt like a small victory after being confined for so long.

But now, he found himself face to face with his ennemy, who had already took place in front of him, wearing a somewhat amused expression. Zhanghao's heart raced slightly as he tried to maintain his composure, knowing that he needed to be more cautious than ever.

Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he greeted him with a polite nod. "Good afternoon, Mr. Han," he said respectfully, trying to hide any traces of uncertainty in his voice. "I heard that I will be given my first mission in a while."

The man's grin stretched wider, his lips curling unnaturally, mirroring an unhealthy amusement that sent shivers down his spine. His eyes seemed to glimmer with an unsettling intensity, like a predator locking onto its prey.

The once composed and calculated Mr. Han now looked almost maniacal, and it made his stomach churn with unease. It was as if the man's true nature was revealing itself, and it was far darker and more sinister than he had imagined.

"Ah, yes," he replied, acknowledging the topic of conversation. "Hacking the I-Land was the initial plan, but I've come across something even more interesting for you to do."

Zhanghao knew better than to blindly trust anyone, especially someone as enigmatic and unpredictable as that man. Whatever task he had in mind, the boy was acutely aware that it would probably lead him down a dark and dangerous path. 

Except he had no choice but to listen and play along, keeping his guard up and staying one step ahead.

Mr. Han's hand shot up in the air, summoning someone with a commanding gesture. In no time, a group of his subordinates materialized at his side.

Zhanghao's sharp eyes scanned the group of five boys standing, and he couldn't help but feel concerned as he recognized Soobin among them. The latter's eyes remained glued to the floor, unable to meet his gaze. His body language exuded shame and discomfort, and he shifted nervously on his feet as if trying to disappear into the ground.

As he continued to observe them, he noticed how they interacted with Mr. Han – the way they bowed their heads slightly, showing respect, but also keeping a certain distance, as if they were wary of him. 

However, one member of the group stood out from the rest. His posture was different; he exuded an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. Unlike the others, he didn't seem to be afraid of his presence. Instead, there was a hint of defiance in his stance, as if he considered himself equal to or even above the notorious leader.

With a sinister smile, Mr. Han leaned in and whispered, "I'll keep your task a secret for now." Zhanghao's heart raced as he tried to gauge the man's intentions. "You'll be working with these boys," he gestured towards his subordinates standing nearby, "so that they can keep an eye on you."

Despite the unease settling in his gut, he managed to maintain a calm facade of acceptance. He nodded, pretending to acquiesce to the orders while his mind raced with strategies to navigate this treacherous situation. It was clear that he needed to be clever and cunning to avoid raising any suspicion while also fulfilling his hidden agenda.

The confident boy couldn't contain his frustration and spoke up. "Wait, since when has the mission changed?" he protested. "Are we just playing babysitters now?"