Unexpected Second Chance at Love

While those in the heart of Imperial slept waiting for the sun, in another part of the city remained awake, and this area is none other than Retro. Like every other night, the place is bustling with music, drunks, and people of the underworld enjoying their sweet time. It was like the place never

sleep.

However, as everyone went on with their own pleasure, no one paid attention to the two black cars that suddenly pulled up in the distance.

The two cars soon come to a stop in front of an old 7-story building. The driver and passenger’s side door push open at a leisure pace, and four figures step into view. However, each person wore a black mask that covered the bottom half of their face, revealing only their dangerous eyes.

One of the men steps away from the car after closing the door. He flips his head in slow motion and places one hand on his hip. His entire being looked like a dangerous man with a touch of mystery.

He stares up at the old 7-story building, then tilts his head a little to the side as his eyes avert to the other three men.

”So this is how it feels like to be a member of Fate.”

He spoke in a low voice with the demeanor of an arrogant man. However, in a split second, his shoulders tremble, and he giggles with one hand over his already covered mouth.

”Kekeke. I can’t believe I’m actually one of you guys.”

Ever since he learned about fate, he had always wanted what it felt like to be in their shoes when dealing with enemies. Of course, they’ve worked together in the past, but this very moment is different. This time, they are wearing masks.

From what he gathered about Fate is minimal, but there was one thing he learned.

The people of Fate never reveal their faces. Each time they move around in the underworld, their face is hidden. It was so that no one can know their real identity.

Thinking this, Xu long couldn’t help but giggle again. He really can’t believe he was given a mask to wear.

”Bro, why are you so happy. It’s only a mask.”

Lin Hui’s voice sounds from the side as he walks around the driver’s side of one car to the sidewalk. He stares at the excited assistant and chuckles sarcastically.

”Plus, that mask is just a normal one you can buy from the convenience store.”

”Pftt...”

Just as his words fell, Liu Shan and Qi Li held back their laugh. Neither wanted to say anything as they found Xu long’s behavior amusing. However, who would have thought Lin Hui to ruin it.

XU long was at a loss for words. He stares at Lin Hui with an agape mouth before his eyes turn into a glare.

He scoffs in disbelief and turns his head away with an intense attitude.

”I already know that. Sheesh.”

He was aware that the mask he’s wearing is a simple mask that can be purchase anywhere. However, Lin Hui didn’t have to kill the moment for him.

”Why are you always the one killing everyone’s mood?”

His head turns back to look at the hitman, and he snorts a ’hmmf.’

”Next time, I’ll make sure to ruin your hopes and dreams too.”

” ...”

This time, it was Lin Hui, who was in utter disbelief. He stares at Xu long, who had turned inconsolable, and he didn’t know what to say.

”l... I wasn’t... What the... Ugh.”

His words collided with one another like he was having difficulty, and he growls lowly in distress. He had only said what he did because he didn’t want the assistant to feel betrayed if he (Xu long) learned the truth later.

His head turns to look at Liu Shan and Qi Li. Having been friends for so long, he assumed they would help him since they understood his intentions.

However, the second he met eyes with them, both men looks away like they saw and heard nothing.

”...”

He scoffs sarcastically and looks back at Xu long. Since the ’traitors’ won’t help him, he’ll just have to explain himself.

”Xu long, ah.”

He slowly approaches the assistant with an apologetic smile. His entire demeanor changes into a mother trying to coax her spoilt child.

”Ah, I mean, oh almighty James long Bond. It’s not what you think. I didn’t mean to ruin your hopes and dreams.”

As Lin Hui nears Xu long, he (Xu long) rolls his eyes and looks in a different direction. It was as if he muted Lin Hui’s voice from his ears.

Lin Hui: ”Look, bro, I can explain.”

Xu long: ”Hmmf.”

Lin Hui: ”Bro, it’s not what you think. What I meant was-”

Xu long: ”Hmmf.”

Lin Hui: ”I’m serious. Listen to me. I have a good reason why I said what I said.”

Xu long: ”Hmmf.”

Liu Shan: ”...”

Qi Li: ”...”

Retro: (bustling with loud music without any care)

Liu Shan watches as each time Lin Hui tries to get Xu long’s attention, he (Xu long) would turn away in avoidance of Lin Hui.

He (Liu Shan) shakes his head with a deep sigh. He swore, if others were to see this scene, they would definitely think like him.

A cheating husband is caught by his wife and tries to explain.

He shook his head again and glanced over to Qi Li. He notices something and turns to face the man whose expression never changes.

”You’re not going to clean that off? It’s dried already.”

Qi Li doesn’t move his head, but his eyes glance at Liu Shan. He sees the assistant pointing to his (Liu Shan) head, and he (Qi Li) understood.

He shrugs one shoulder indifferently and puts his hands in the pockets of his lounge pants.

”I’ll clean the blood when we get back to boss’s place.”

Liu Shan doesn’t say anything but stares at the man. They had left right away that Qi Li’s wound he sustained from the robust man did not get treated.

It left a trail of blood from Qi Li’s temple down to his jawline. It looked like an odd face tattoo in the dark, but he knows that it was blood.

He reaches inside his pant pocket and takes out a black hander chief. He hands it to Qi Li and stares at the old 7-story apartment.

”Use this. It might scare off the enemy.”

Qi Li’s expression remained emotionless, but one corner of his mouth can be seen twitching if one were to look closer. However, only for a brief second as he takes the handkerchief.

”I was hoping to give them a little fright. That’s why I didn’t clean it.”

Liu Shan couldn’t believe that Qi Li was able to make a joke at a time like this. He doesn’t push the subject and ponders as he stares at the building in front of him.

Oblivious to the assistant’s thoughts, Qi Li wipes away the dried blood on his face. He looks down at the black cloth in his hand and sees a small embroidery on one of the corners. His eyebrows crease together into a frown.

’HYL’

His lips slightly pursed as he read the initials in his head. He looks up at Liu Shan for a long second before asking.

”Is this boss’s?”

Liu Shan doesn’t look at Qi Li but rolled his eyes inside. He could guess that Qi Li had seen the initials, but was there a need to ask?

He ignores this thought and nods his head lightly. He didn’t need to deny this fact because it’s the truth.

The handkerchief is a sentimental item in his life as it once belonged to Yue Ling. How he got it is one he will never forget, but it’s a story only for him and his boss.

”I’ll need that back when you’re done.”

His words fell, and he glances to the side at the bustling part of Retro.

Seeing that no one bothered to look their way, he looks away and steps forward.

”Let’s go.”

He walks past Lin Hui and Xu long, who were still fighting like an old couple. He doesn’t stop but didn’t forget to remind them.

”We’re on the same team. Save your energy for the people inside.”

Lin Hui and Xu long abruptly shut their mouth and stares dumbfoundedly at the usually carefree assistant. Both men couldn’t help but feel a chill run down their spine as they could sense the temperature emitting from Liu Shan had dropped drastically.

Soon as Liu Shan walked by, so did Qi Li, who was still wiping away the dried blood.

Left behind, Lin Hui and Xu long glance at one another. A glistering light flashes across their eyes, and a dangerous smile curls on their faces.

”Oh, I will be giving them a piece of my energy.”

Lin Hui sinisterly chuckles as he cast aside his appearance of a husband trying to coax his angry wife. Next to him, Xu long no longer acted like an angry wife and rubbed his palm together like a greedy man.

”Let’s get the show on the road.”

Both men step forward in a matching motion and follow after Liu Shan and Qi Li as their voices sound like two peas in a pod.

”Time to collect some fates.”