"Gu Yuxuan!" Zimo called out just as Gu Yuxuan reached the building's doors.
Gu Yuxuan turned to him.
"Where are you going?"
"Didn't you get the message?" Gu Yuxuan asked.
Zimo went to stand right in front of him. "Take me with you."
Gu Yuxuan raised his eyebrows. "Do you want to go home with me?"
"You're going home? But why… why did you… I mean why did you say I can leave early? Are you really just going home?"
Gu Yuxuan turned and walked out the door. Zimo followed closely behind him.
"I have things to do. Stop following me." Gu Yuxuan said. He got into the driver seat and Zimo hurriedly got in next to him.
Gu Yuxuan looked at him but Zimo ignored him and kept his eyes straight ahead.
"I'm not getting out." He said
Gu Yuxuan sighed and started the car, driving off.
They indeed took the route to Gu Yuxuan's home. Zimo realised that everything looked normal but kept waiting for any changes.
And there it was. They usually take the next left turn but Gu Yuxuan took the right one. Zimo didn't ask anything and instead waited patiently.
They turned up to a fancy restaurant, built with glass walls. There were a few tables outside but stairs led to the main dining area.
Gu Yuxuan unbuggeled his seatbelt and opened the door, stepping outside. Zimo did the same.
A woman well dressed in formal clothes came to greet them.
"I've been waiting for you", she said.
"Thank you" Gu Yuxuan responded and they shook hands. The two of them followed her upstairs.
Inside the dining area, it was quiet and no people were around. They were offered a table next to a window.
Zimo just followed everything Gu Yuxuan did without knowing what was really going on.
"Why are we here?" He finally asked as they sat down.
"I don't know why you're here but I know why I am."
"Why are you here?"
"None of your business."
After sitting for a few minutes they were offered drinks and soon after plates with pasta were served. Gu Yuxuan didn't touch anything, so Zimo also didn't.
"Why are you not eating?" Gu Yuxuan asked.
"Because I don't trust you." Zimo said.
"You don't trust me or you were told not to trust me?"
"So you really have someone following me?" Zimo asked.
"So what if I do?" Gu Yuxuan asked.
Zimo slightly narrowed his eyes, "Why?"
Gu Yuxuan's gaze averted from Zimo's eyes to his left.
"Don't move" Gu Yuxuan said as Zimo wanted to turn.
"You came here for someone?" Zimo asked.
Gu Yuxuan nodded.
Zimo looked down at his plate, picked up the fork and started eating.
Gu Yuxuan kept his eyes on the three men four tables from them.
The lady who welcomed them came over, bent down to Gu Yuxuan and whispered something in his ear.
Zimo raised his head with pasta still hanging from his mouth.
Gu Yuxuan said, "okay", and the woman walked away. Zimo's eyes followed her and then turned back to Gu Yuxuan.
He then, without lifting his head, filled his mouth full, almost clearing the plate.
Gu Yuxuan just ignored him and looked back at the table. Just then Fu Dong showed up where he exchanged handshakes with the three men.
Gu Yuxuan took out an ear bud and placed it in his ear. Everything that was spoken at that table, he was able to hear.
"Since you've taken care of the shipment, I can rest assured." Fu Dong said.
"This time we've been extra careful like you instructed." One man replied.
"I know I can always depend on you."
"If we can do the next parcel soon, we'll ease your burden sir. Don't worry too much about it."
"What about tomorrow?" Fu Dong asked. "Will you be ready?
"Of course. We're ready when you are", a man replied.
They all smiled and clinked glasses.
Gu Yuxuan took out the ear bud. "Are you done?" He asked.
"Hm", Zimo responded.
"Let's go."
They stood up and walked.
Fu Dong's eyes widened seeing Gu Yuxuan coming their way. He instantly froze in his seat.
Gu Yuxuan smirked as he passed their table. And everyone's head turned to him.
"Stop there", Fu Dong said and stood up.
Gu Yuxuan and Zimo paused and turned to them.
"Mr Gu, I didn't realise you were also here. Why didn't you greet me?"
"Why would I greet you?" Gu Yuxuan asked.
Fu Dong perched his lips together, visibly irritated. "What are the odds that we'll both be here at the same time?"
"There's no odds. I came because I knew you would."
Zimo looked wide eyed at Gu Yuxuan.
Fu Dong started laughing abruptly. Even sitting down again. And the three men reached in their clothes, taking out their guns and pointing it towards them.
"What's all this for?" Gu Yuxuan asked.
"Mr Gu, you're always looking for trouble with the wrong people. When are you going to stop?" Fu Dong asked.
"I will stop as soon as I get what I want."
"What makes you think I have something you want?"
"You do."
"Oh, what's that?"
"Your life." Gu Yuxuan said with a straight face.
Zimo stood closer to him and pulled his clothes from behind. "Don't you think that's a bit too much?" He asked through his teeth.
"Su Zimo." Fu Dong said. "Did you hear that? Your father must be so disappointed in you since you're willing to work for a mentally unstable person."
Zimo, who was still looking at Gu Yuxuan, slowly turned to Fu Dong.
"What did you say? He asked. And took one step forward but Gu Yuxuan pulled his arm. He just glanced at Gu Yuxuan and still took another step forward.
"I've seen mentally unstable people. And you know what? They look exactly like you. And that person you call my father, he's no less than a freak like you."
"You!"
One man pressed the gun against Zimo's body. Pushing him back.
Gu Yuxuan tapped two fingers on his leg, signaling the lady of the restaurant and ten people came running out, surrounding Fu Dong and his men.
Fu Dong looked around him and sighed.
"You also came prepared, Mr Gu. I underestimated you."
"Underestimated? You still have no glue what I'm capable of." Gu Yuxuan said.
"What do you want?" Fu Dong asked.
"You're the one who stopped me. I didn't want anything from him."
Fu Dong raised his hand for the three men to lower the firearms.
"Since you don't want anything, then I've misunderstood. Mr Gu, why not ask your people to lower their guns as well."
"It might be a misunderstanding on your side but I feel very offended. So, I can't let them do that."