The night was overcast, the small road nearly empty. Only Bo Rui’s car sped forward, unrestricted, moving even faster than before.
Bo Rui’s eyes remained fixed ahead, fingers tightening on the steering wheel until the knuckles turned pale, veins on his arms bulging, his whole posture tense with ferocity.
He glanced at his phone out of the corner of his eye. The GPS showed that the little icon had stopped moving some time ago. That location…
Bo Rui froze slightly, almost thinking he had misread it. He eased off the accelerator, slowing down to look more carefully. No mistake—this coordinate was far too familiar.
Bo Rui felt confused. Why was Yu Junqing here? Who had brought him to this place?
Yu Junqing crouched quietly in the back seat, motionless. He had sensed earlier that the car had stopped, and the two men in front had stepped out, leaving him alone inside.
What were they planning? He tried the door, but it was locked tight.
Rubbing his injured leg gently, Yu Junqing leaned toward the window to peek outside.
It was pitch black, and he could barely make out anything. After straining his eyes for a while, they gradually adjusted to the darkness, letting him make out faint shapes.
A massive tree stood ahead—big enough that it would take three or four men to hug it. A banyan, perhaps. Behind it, there was some kind of frame. What was this? His head throbbed with confusion.
At first, he had assumed the men were taking him to the villas in the city outskirts. If that were the case, the villas were spaced far apart, and escape would be possible.
But now… what was this place? Yu Junqing’s mind raced. The road here was rough. If they had gone toward the villas, the paths should have been well-maintained. Could they have driven into the mountains?
Outside the car,
“I’m telling you, Third Brother, why are you making me drive to this godforsaken place?” Dong Meng rubbed his hands and exhaled, breath visible in the cold night. This place was eerie.
The man called Third Brother—the one who had been sitting in the passenger seat—stood silently beneath the banyan tree, gazing up at it.
Dong Meng called again, receiving no response. He felt a twinge of fear. Why bring someone out to the dead of night to such a desolate mountain area, with barely a thing visible?
Unease crept up on him. Normally, he wouldn’t doubt Wolf Third. The man was loyal like a dog. The boss trusted him, which was why they all served under Wolf Third.
Yet now, he had been told they were heading to a villa area, but midway, Wolf Third had diverted into a mountain path. The feeling was… off. Something sinister seemed to linger.
Wolf Third stared at the banyan for a long time, then slowly raised his right hand, pressing his palm against the rough bark. The cracked surface resembled parched earth; years had left deep marks, yet the tree still thrived, sheltering this land.
He traced the tree carefully and suddenly felt a strange texture, unlike the rest. It was smooth, delicate, as if a slice had been cut into its rings. Wolf Third smiled softly.
Dong Meng shivered violently, stepping back. My god, standing under a tree at night, smiling like that—had Wolf Third gone mad? He couldn’t shake the feeling that the sudden detour and the eerie behavior were connected.
All thoughts of the boss or the mission vanished. Dong Meng only wanted to drive home, soak in a hot bath, turn on every light, and sleep soundly. Tomorrow, he would go to a temple and pray for safety.
“You running?” Wolf Third barked suddenly.
Dong Meng froze, legs weak. The figure under the banyan slowly approached, and cold sweat trickled down his face. Could this really be a living person?
Wolf Third came closer. In Dong Meng’s eyes, his face seemed obscured by something, making it impossible to discern his features. Was he… taller than usual?
The approaching man was like a reaper, walking calmly, each step pressing on Dong Meng’s heart. Panic surged; he clenched his fists. “Go to hell!” he shouted.
Wolf Third’s eyes darkened as he dodged the punch, the wind from it whistling past his ear. Dong Meng actually tried to hurt him?
A whipping kick followed. Wolf Third, angered, bent low to evade, then surged forward, landing a punch squarely on Dong Meng’s temple.
Dong Meng reacted quickly, elbowing upward with his left hand while clawing at Wolf Third’s neck with the right.
Wolf Third’s eyes flicked with disdain. Really amusing. Using a move you stole from me on me?
He reached up with his left hand, gripping Dong Meng’s vital point, twisting sharply. The nearly two-hundred-pound man was flipped and slammed heavily to the ground.
“Hmph, overestimating yourself.” Wolf Third stomped on Dong Meng’s chest, lighting a cigarette from his pocket. The glow illuminated his face, revealing a scar beneath his jaw, grotesque and menacing. Dong Meng could only glance briefly, feeling an eerie chill deepen.
He struggled violently, but Wolf Third’s foot pinned him like a nail. Dong Meng grabbed it, trying to throw him off.
Wolf Third’s eyes narrowed; with a forceful move, he knocked Dong Meng unconscious.
“Annoying. What is this guy doing? Gone mad in the middle of the night?” Wolf Third muttered, taking another deep drag of his cigarette. He kicked Dong Meng twice, ensuring he stayed down, shaking his head at the man’s sudden attack.
Settling under the banyan, Wolf Third glanced at the nearby gate. Carved beams and painted tiles—it reminded him of something. Today, he inexplicably felt reluctant to continue with the job.
His gaze shifted to the car, and he remembered Yu Junqing. He had seen some of his films before. Compared to the boss’s current crop of actors, Yu Junqing genuinely put effort into his craft.
But in this world, talent alone wasn’t enough. Without connections, status, influence, or money, skill only goes so far.
Wolf Third ran his scarred, calloused hand over his chin, inhaling deeply. There’s your lesson.
After a few cigarettes, he stood, placing Dong Meng in the passenger seat, taking one last look at the gate. The three red characters “Xiuzai Village” stood out like a spark in the night. But he would never return.
A car suddenly roared toward them, startling Wolf Third. He stubbed out his cigarette and hid behind the banyan.
What’s happening? Who would be driving here at this hour? Villagers? No—it couldn’t be. Wolf Third narrowed his eyes, coldly scanning the road. Soon, a black car appeared, heading straight for them.
Wolf Third pressed against the banyan, leaving only his eyes visible, watching the approaching vehicle. Was it… coming for Yu Junqing?
Bo Rui saw the car stop at the village entrance. The GPS matched the coordinates exactly. He quickly cut the engine, jumped out, and ran to the window. Inside, the familiar figure of Yu Junqing appeared.
He’s really here! Bo Rui’s relief and joy surged. He opened the car door, ready to pull him out.
Yu Junqing, still processing why Rui Ge had suddenly appeared, noticed a figure approaching behind Bo Rui. Eyes widening, he shouted, “Rui Ge, watch out!”
Bo Rui froze in surprise, instinctively turning and kicking—but the attack was caught! Force shot up his leg. He yanked it back and moved forward, the light catching the intruder’s face. Alarm surged.
“Third Brother?”
The voice was both strange and familiar. Wolf Third halted mid-motion, glancing at the man, a wave of shock and joy washing over him.
“You’re… Little Rui?”
Yu Junqing was left stunned, mind scrambling. What just happened? What’s my expression right now? Someone please tell me—I’m freaking out!