At the convenience store, Li Yan yawned endlessly. She hadn't slept a wink all night and was utterly exhausted, yet she couldn't bear to close the shop for a day and forced herself to stay open.
Three sleek black sedans slid into the alley and stopped in front of the store.
The doors opened, and Iron Bear stepped out, flanked by seven or eight men.
Li Yan froze at the sight of him, fear coursing through her.
"Hey there, little sis. Long time no see," Iron Bear greeted her warmly, a friendly smile plastered on his face.
"X… Xiong… Brother…" Li Yan stammered, shrinking back.
"Why so scared? I don't bite," he chuckled. "Where's Cao Yang? Tell him to come out, I need to see him."
Li Yan quickly dialed Cao Yang's number. "Hurry over! Iron Bear's at the store asking for you!"
She didn't go to help him fight, and now this pompous guy had shown up at her doorstep.
By the time Cao Yang arrived, Iron Bear and his entourage were squatting at the store entrance, casually eating watermelon. They were polite, yet their sheer presence was enough to intimidate anyone from entering.
"Little brother Cao Yang," Iron Bear called out warmly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Why haven't you answered my calls yet? This time, I really need your help. I've been bragging to everyone about how awesome I am, but if you don't come, they'll think I'm a coward."
Cao Yang sneered. "Why should I care?"
Iron Bear froze for a split second, his face darkening, but he quickly recovered.
"Aren't we brothers? If I look bad, won't it be embarrassing for you too?"
Brothers my ass. Yesterday you begged me for men and guns, and I played dead. Today you're all buddy-buddy. His audacity was staggering.
Cao Yang laughed and clutched his stomach. "It's not that I don't want to help, little brother's just got terrible stomach pain and can't fight."
Ah, so now you act? Fine, I can play along too.
"Take some medicine, or I can take you to a hospital," Iron Bear said, feigning concern as he watched Cao Yang's poor performance.
"I already did. The doctor said I need a few days to rest."
"Little brother, is this about money? Last time I forgot to give you your share."
Iron Bear's subordinate handed him a bag. Iron Bear pulled out 30,000 cash and offered it to Cao Yang. "Here's the last time. If you win this time, I'll give you fifty thousand."
Cao Yang shook his head. "It's not about money. My stomach really hurts."
"Little brother, are you seriously not giving me any face?" Iron Bear's tone turned icy.
Cao Yang nodded firmly. "Nope."
His bluntness made Iron Bear laugh out loud. He patted Cao Yang on the shoulder and, with his entourage, left.
Once they were gone, Li Yan dashed out. "He won't come back for us, right?"
"He will," Cao Yang said firmly, eyes fixed on Iron Bear's retreating figure.
People like Iron Bear were sticky—once they latched on, they were hard to shake off.
"What do we do then?" Li Yan fretted.
"I want to kill him—then we'll have no more trouble," Cao Yang said casually.
"You can't!" Li Yan clamped her hand over his mouth. Actually killing Iron Bear would be the beginning of real trouble.
"Relax, I'm joking," Cao Yang laughed. "Let's just close the store for a couple of days to avoid any hassle."
"Close it? We'd lose over a thousand a day!" Li Yan pouted, reluctant.
Cao Yang ignored her and slammed the store door shut, hoisting Li Yan over his shoulder as they headed back to the hotel.
No sooner had they returned than Lei Dian called.
He told Cao Yang that he and his sister had rented a new place, inviting Cao Yang and Li Yan over for a small housewarming dinner—a way to thank Cao Yang for saving them and celebrate their new home.
Li Yan refused to go, forbidding Cao Yang as well. Naturally, Cao Yang ignored her and went alone. Probably for the best—knowing her, she would have started arguing with Lei Yu anyway.
Their new home was a proper three-bedroom apartment, much more spacious than Li Yan's cramped old city village quarters.
"Come in, have a seat!" Lei Dian greeted Cao Yang warmly.
Cao Yang glanced around and spotted Lei Yu bustling in the kitchen, wearing an apron.
"My sister's cooking is amazing. Today, you'll taste authentic Sichuan cuisine," Lei Dian said proudly.
Cao Yang nodded repeatedly. "Even the smell makes my mouth water."
"Chat amongst yourselves. I'll go pick up some alcohol," Lei Dian said, giving Lei Yu a knowing look, signaling her to be friendly and say a few words to Cao Yang.
No sooner had he left than Cao Yang slipped behind Lei Yu, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Sis Yu, your cooking is incredible."
"Stop it! What if my brother sees?" Lei Yu blushed, recalling the earlier events in bed.
"So what? He's your brother, not your boyfriend," Cao Yang teased, his hands wandering.
Ever since tasting a woman, he couldn't resist. Every so often, he just wanted more.
"Please, stop! I'm cooking, and you'll get me covered in oil!"
Hearing her plea, and knowing Lei Dian would be back soon, he relented.
...
Soon, Lei Dian returned with the wine. The three sat in the living room, enjoying Lei Yu's specialty Sichuan dishes, which Cao Yang devoured with gusto.
Lei Yu remained mostly quiet, the perfect serene beauty, while Cao Yang didn't speak much either. Lei Dian carried the conversation, first thanking Cao Yang and then discussing work. He mentioned he didn't want to be a "ghost worker" anymore and wanted a proper job.
Cao Yang wasn't fooled—he knew Lei Dian was just placating his sister.
Cao Yang suggested Lei Dian join him in the business, running the slot machines while he managed the store.
Lei Dian was tempted, but a glare from his sister made him hesitate.
After dinner, Lei Dian, slightly tipsy, rambled on endlessly, teasing Cao Yang like an older brother.
Cao Yang told him to sleep it off—he hated people who got tipsy and talked nonsense.
Lei Dian then told Cao Yang that he had kept a room for him in the new apartment, so he could stay anytime.
"But don't get any ideas about my sister. She's my only sibling. I want her to find a good man."
Cao Yang scowled. What, so I'm not a good man?
Before he could retort, Lei Dian had already fallen asleep.
Cao Yang gently closed the door, glancing at Lei Yu.
Their eyes met, and Lei Yu quickly looked away, shy.
Cao Yang stepped closer, wrapping her in his arms, kissing and touching, soon stripping her bare.
Lei Dian, sleeping soundly, was awoken by strange noises. Groggy, he opened the door. "Sis… what are you…?"
"I—I didn't make a sound! You're imagining things! Go back to sleep!"
Lei Dian looked around suspiciously. "Where's Cao Yang?"
"He left."
"Wait… I was supposed to let him stay over. Why did he leave? Did you kick him out?"
"No! Cao Yang's been nothing but good to us. You shouldn't look at him with suspicion! He even risked his life to save you—you should be grateful!"