Unexpected Second Chance at Love

”Woah! We have a handsome man here.”

Qi Li was just about to reach for his glasses from Liu Shan when a cheerful voice sounds from behind them. Both men did not get frightened but casually turns around to the person.

”What are you dragging behind you?”

Liu Shan couldn’t help but ask as he knew the person who spoke was none other than Xu Long. He (Xu Long) looked to be holding something big, but they can’t seem to make out what it is because of the darkness.

”Oh, this?”

Coming to a stop in front of the two men, Xu Long flashes them a grin. He tosses the object in his hand next to the petite man and shrugs nonchalantly.

”Just a big rat I happened to catch.”

Liu Shan and Qi Li glance down at what Xu Long had thrown. Neither were surprised as they understood what the assistant meant by the word rat. However, both men arches their eyebrows then looks back at Xu Long.

”Bro, what are you? Man of steel? How did you carry a man three times your size?”

Hearing his friend’s questions full of doubt, Xu Long snorts a ’hmmf’ and crosses his arms over his chest. He didn’t forget to raise his chin a little, and he puts on an arrogant demeanor.

”What do you mean? This man is as light as a feather.”

He spoke with confidence, but deep down, his heart was still rapidly racing from having to drag the heavy man. If it wasn’t for the night, he was sure Liu Shan and Qi Li would be able to see how saturated he is from sweating.

”Besides, if I can’t handle something as simple as this, I wouldn’t be James Long Bond.”

Liu Shan and Qi Li rolled their eyes at Xu Long’s words. They get that the assistant has come up with a new name, but it started to get a little annoying.

It’s always, Jame Long Bond this, James long Bond that. Next thing, he might even really change his name to that.

Qi Li stares at Xu Long in silence, then turns his attention to Liu Shan. He reaches out his left hand with his palm facing up to the starry sky.

Seeing this, Xu long furrows his brows in confusion, while Liu Shan was quick to understand. He (Liu Shan) place the glasses on the ill.u.s.trator’s palm and looks back at Xu Long.

”Where’s Lin Hui?”

Xu Long doesn’t answer the question but watches as Qi Li puts on his (Qi Li) glasses. The crease between his eyebrows tightens, and he unfolds his crossed arm. He puts his hands on his hip but quickly inhales a gasp when he realizes something he hadn’t notice before.

”Is this why you wear glasses instead of contacts? To hide your pretty face that can make many women jealous.”

When he mentioned how handsome Qi Li was, he didn’t get a good look at the man. To be precise, he said those words jokingly only. However, now that he’s taken a better look, he has to admit, Qi Li is as pretty as a fairy. Even he could tell that the man’s face was flawless.

It was as if God had taken his sweet time sculpting the man’s face. He (Xu Long) was sure that if Qi Li were to put on a wig, he would look like a high-class female model.

Xu Long sighs inside at this thought and looks at Liu Shan. Although it was dark, the moonlight shone above them gave enough light, and he felt like fainting.

How did he only realize now that the two men in front of him have faces of lady killers? Even Lin Hui, who is a hitman, can make many heads turn his way. His shoulders slump, and he felt like a balloon that was slowly deflating.

”Does this mean I am the ugly duckling?”

Despite Xu Long’s quiet voice, Liu Shan and Qi Li heard him clear. However, wanting to make sure they had heard correctly, Liu Shan asks.

”What did you say?”

”Nothing.”

Xu Long shook his head depressingly and exhaled a deep sigh that moved his shoulders.

”It’s nothing. I said Lin Hui went to check outside the gate.”

Both Liu Shan and Qi Li pressed their lips tightly together. Even though Xu Long didn’t answer the question correctly, they already knew. The only thing now was to keep themselves from laughing and embarrassing the ’ugly duckling.’

”You guys tie them up. I’ll go check on how Lin Hui is doing.”

Qi Li spoke as he walks away. He didn’t feel like staying with the two men knowing that there were still enemies nearby.

Watching the cold young walk away, Xu Long was befuddled. He scratches the back of his head and looks at Liu Shan.

”Was it something I said or did? How come he never chill with us longer?”

He thought they were the four Stooges. However, from their time together, he notices that Qi Li is the type never to relax. Even when they are out to enjoy time for themselves, he (Qi Li) is as stiff as a rock.

”Don’t mind him. You didn’t do anything. That’s just the way he is.”

Liu Shan answers without the need to think twice. He reaches inside his pocket and takes out a few zip ties. He hands some to Xu Long and walks over to the petite man.

”Tie the big rat you caught. I’ll handle the little rat.”

He squats down in front of the petite man and puts the man’s hands together as he secures the zip ties around the wrists.

”That’s how he usually is? Why? If I had his looks, I would be able to get any woman I want.”

Xu Long shook his head and walked over to the heavy man. He does the same as Liu Shan and ties the man’s wrists.

”It’s a shame his personality isn’t as pretty as his looks.”

He sighs, and Liu Shan glances at him for a quick before continuing with what he (Liu Shan) was doing.

”He wasn’t always like that.”

He left his words at that as he never discloses other’s matters. He grabs the petite man by the collar before standing up to drag the man away.

”Let’s go to where they are.”

When he first met Qi Li, he learned that the ill.u.s.trator once knew how to smile and had a sense of humor. He (Qi Li) also never used to wear glasses. However, having been picked on for his pretty looks from a young age, he decided to hide it behind glasses.

Not only that, he turned into a cold and indifferent person so that others could not hurt him. He can talk to others like they’re the closest friends, but other than Yue Ling, he draws the line at how close one can enter his heart.

Thinking about Qi Li’s old past, Liu Shan sighs inside. It seems like he isn’t the only one with a tragic past. Many believe that the people from fate live a life of comfort, but that is only on the surface. Hidden behind the smile of each person is a dark past filled with pain and misfortune.

Only after taking Yue Ling’s hand were they given a new life. She is a woman who carries her pain and misfortune, but she still managed to take care of everyone.

For this, everyone cares deeply for her. Others see her as a retired model, fashion designer, or CEO, but to them, she is the sun that gives them warmth and the moon that lights the darkness for them to get on the right path.

Thinking these thoughts, Liu Shan faintly chuckles and looks in the direction Qi Li had gone. This time, he keeps all his thoughts hidden and continues with his way.

Xu long stares from behind with a perplexed look on his face. He wanted to ask about how Qi Li used to be but stops himself. It was best not to pry into other’s personal life. He’ll wait until the day comes when Qi Li is comfortable enough to tell him.

He reaches down to grab the heavy man’s tied hands. He heaves a deep sigh and follows after his lady boss’s assistant.

However, having taken only two steps, he looks at the robust man lying not too far from where he stood.

”What about him? Shouldn’t we tie him up too?”

In his steps, Liu Shan pauses, turns around, and glances at the robust man, then looks away.

”He’s dead, but if you think he’s going to turn into a zombie, then go ahead.”

” ...”

Xu long nods his head in understanding but was struck dumbfounded when Liu Shan mentioned the man turning into a zombie. He scoffs a sarcastic chuckle and walks away.

However, he suddenly stops and drops the heavy man’s hands.

He tiptoes over to the robust man, who is claimed dead. He takes three zip ties and secures the man’s wrists together.

”I don’t believe in zombies, but let’s be safe than sorry.”

Liu Shan: ” ...”