Laughing and playfully teasing each other, the two finally got suited up and made their way toward the ski slopes.On the beginner slope, Dean stood nervously in the snow, his skis strapped tightly to his feet and poles clutched firmly in his hands. His body was stiff as a board. He couldn’t help but swallow hard, his voice trembling slightly. "We really have to ski down like this? What if I just tumble down the hill…?"Damon stood behind him, his hands gently resting on Dean’s shoulders, his tone light and reassuring. "If you fall, I’ll fall with you. Relax, just follow me." With that, he guided Dean’s waist, helping him ease into movement.Dean tried to shift his feet, but the skis wouldn’t budge as he wanted. He barely managed to slide a few meters before losing his balance and crashing into the snow, face-first. He lay there, stuck in the soft snow for a moment, before bursting into laughter. "Hahahaha... This is way harder than I thought!"Damon approached, pulling him up from th
"Train?" Damon raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with hesitation. "I’ve never been on one.""Me neither," Dean replied, a spark of excitement flickering in his eyes. "But that’s exactly the point. We get to try something new together." He was naturally curious about new experiences, and the idea of sharing this first-time adventure with Damon made it all the more thrilling.Damon couldn't help but catch his enthusiasm, nodding in agreement. They quickly split the tasks—Damon would handle the ticket booking, and Dean would focus on researching the train's services and cabin details.However, when Dean began reading aloud various online reviews and recommendations with a serious expression, Damon’s mind started to spin. He threw his hands up in frustration. "Forget it, let’s just go with the most expensive option. First-class—the kind where you can sleep!"Dean blinked, then couldn’t help but smile in resignation. "The logic of the wealthy is so simple and straightforward."Under the
The air was oppressively silent, the only sound being Shawn’s heavy, uneven breaths. After what felt like an eternity, he finally reached out, his fingers trembling slightly as he gently took Dean’s hand. Despite the faint tremor, his grip was firm and resolute."Dean," Shawn said, lifting his gaze to meet his, his eyes brimming with an unguarded mix of guilt and affection. "I’m sorry. I’m sorry for hitting you. I’m sorry for hurting you with a whip. And... I’m sorry for what happened at the pool."Dean looked down at their joined hands, his expression unreadable. Shawn’s hand was warm and strong, but Dean could feel the undercurrent of pain running through his touch. His grip was tight, almost desperate, as though he feared Dean would pull away. Yet it was also restrained as Shawn used every ounce of strength to hold himself back.Shawn didn’t wait for Dean to respond. He silently led him into the adjacent room. As the door creaked open, Dean’s breath caught. The room was filled with
Dean raised an eyebrow, his tone calm and understated. "You're exaggerating.""Not at all!" Ted retorted, grabbing another bite. "Try it yourself. It's so good I can’t think of a better way to describe it. Top-notch!"Dean’s lips curved slightly, his voice carrying a trace of playful mockery. "Have you been spending too much time with Leo? You're starting to sound just like him.""I'm telling the truth!" Ted slapped the table lightly, though the sound came out louder than intended.Dean chuckled but didn’t respond, lowering his head to focus on his meal. Ted, however, wasn’t ready to let the subject drop, continuing to gush enthusiastically about the food’s incredible flavor.The atmosphere grew noticeably lighter. Then, out of the blue, Ted put his cutlery down and fixed Dean with a serious gaze. His tone shifted, tinged with curiosity. "Dean, let me ask you something—did you really lose your memory?"Dean lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp with a hint of caution. "Why do you ask?"Ted’
"Even crazier, he went up to ask the lady in the supermarket how to make simple, delicious home-cooked dishes. When she suggested lemon chicken, he wrote it down; when she mentioned sweet and sour pork, he quickly asked if it needed to be marinated. He even asked how she prepped everything. I spent the whole day with him, and I could see he was really putting his heart into it."Dean swallowed hard as if he had something to say but couldn't quite bring himself to speak."But do you know what was on his mind?" Ted’s voice took on a touch of frustration. "He kept worrying that you might think his efforts were nowhere near as good as what Damon Greyson and Chen Dankworth could offer. Boss... he’s been feeling so insecure."Dean looked up slightly, his voice steady but sincere as he replied, "There’s no need for comparison."Ted sighed deeply, his tone softening as he spoke more earnestly, "But boss is insecure, Dean. Sure, he’s a gang leader, but in front of you, he’s just a man trying t
Dean shook his head, a glimmer of mischief flickering in his eyes. “I can pretend not to remember.”The messenger paused for a brief moment, then burst into laughter. “Oh? You know how to play the game, huh?” He snapped his fingers lightly, and the lights around them flickered sharply as if some unknown force had just been set into motion.“Well then, since you’re this entertaining—and my boss agrees—I’ll only erase the painful memories from your childhood. And…” The messenger tapped his own forehead, as if double-checking some detail. “The gift from my boss, too. See you next time! Looking forward to a happier, more carefree you!”As his voice faded into the distance, the office lights went out completely, and Dean’s consciousness drifted into darkness.He let out a soft sigh. He could still feel that lingering chill from before. But now, warmth surrounded him—the room bathed in soft light, the scent of tea curling in the air. Yet in his mind, those few days spent with the three of t
The violent impact sent both of them lurching forward. Dean instinctively grabbed the overhead handle to steady himself, his heart pounding against his ribs.Whipping his head around, he caught a glimpse of the rearview mirror—behind them, a car was closing in fast, its headlights glaring like the eyes of a predator.Ted’s expression darkened, his grip tightening around the wheel. Without hesitation, he slammed his foot on the gas. The engine roared in protest as the car surged forward, tires screeching against the pavement.“Shit! It’s the Sharks!” Ted spat, his voice edged with frustration. “I can’t believe they tracked us down this fast!”Dean’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t just a pursuit—it was a hunt.Dean’s face darkened further, his fingers clenching tightly around the seatbelt. “They’re Ben’s men?”Ted gave a sharp nod, his jaw tightening. “Yeah. His best enforcers. Ruthless bastards—they would never let us off that easy.” He laughed bitterly, his knuckles turning white on the
The moment the two of them stepped out of the car, a group of people immediately closed in, but they made no threatening moves. The leader approached Ted, offering him a card with a calm and polite tone. "This is from our boss. He said that if you give this card to Damon Greyson, Chen Dankworth, and Shawn Hansley, they'll know exactly who our boss is."Ted took the card and glanced down at it. There was no extra information—only a series of elegant and mysterious symbols. Frowning, he looked up and asked, "So, who is your boss exactly? What does this mean?"The leader simply smiled without responding.Dean, standing beside him, was filled with confusion but forced himself to remain composed. Though his instinct was to ask more questions, it was clear that this was not the time for a confrontation. He turned to Ted and said, "Ted, hold onto the card. Go to Damon and Chen. Whatever happens, we need to get Shawn out first. If they refuse to help, tell them it’s my request."Ted's eyes wi
As they drove, Dean couldn’t help but guess their destination. Greg wouldn’t have called him out without a reason—there had to be something special planned. But no matter how much he thought about it, Greg remained tight-lipped, offering no clues, and even went so far as to blindfold him.It wasn’t until the car stopped that Greg’s hand gently covered his face, his voice a whisper in his ear. "Don’t rush. When we get there, I’ll let you see."In the darkness, his senses heightened. Greg’s fingertips carried that familiar warmth, and his voice, low and steady, made Dean’s heartbeat quicken ever so slightly.Greg led him forward, his steps steady and unwavering, carrying an unspoken gravity. They passed through a narrow corridor, climbed a few stairs, and then descended several slopes. Throughout it all, Greg never let go of his hand. The warmth of his palm brought a sense of quiet reassurance to Dean."Where exactly are you taking me?" Dean finally couldn’t hold back.Greg chuckled sof
Shawn chuckled softly, his voice low and warm. "There are several orphanages nearby. Today, the children will gather in the hall for a small event. I thought I'd make some food for them. Would you be willing to help?"Dean’s heart jolted at his words.The disappointment he had felt just moments ago was now replaced by a deep sense of shame.It turned out that Shawn hadn’t brought him here for romance or excitement, but for these children.Of course, he would help. Without hesitation, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing the veins running clearly along his forearms, and answered with sincerity, "Of course."In the kitchen, the steam rose, the crackling sound of the fire filled the air, and the scent of food gradually began to drift around them.Shawn took charge of the meat, his knife moving swiftly and decisively, cutting with precision. Dean focused on the vegetables, washing, chopping, and carefully selecting the seasonings, making sure every detail was perfect.At times, they worked
The same deserted island they had once visited together.As the sea breeze swept across the deck, Dean stood at the railing of the cruise ship, watching the familiar island gradually emerge from the horizon. He froze, unable to look away."Do you remember this place?"Chen stood beside him, his tone soft but with a hint of hidden anticipation.Dean turned his head slightly, glancing at the man next to him. Under the night sky, Chen’s profile appeared particularly gentle, but the glint in his eyes held a playful, tender warmth that was uniquely his."Of course I remember," Dean replied with a light laugh. "But... why bring me here?""You'll understand once we set foot on the island," Chen said with a mysterious smile. "Don't worry, it won’t be as chaotic as last time."Dean raised an eyebrow, curiosity growing in his chest.As soon as his feet touched the island, he realized that things had quietly changed.Though the island still retained its untouched, natural beauty, there were now
Dean froze in place."Hey! How could you just leave like that?! What am I supposed to do?!"He tried to shout at Damon, but the man didn’t even look back, vanishing quickly down the slope.Frustrated, Dean stomped his foot. But the snow wasn’t kind enough to let him act on impulse. With a resigned sigh, he steeled himself and began making his way down the mountain, slowly and cautiously.True to form, he ended up falling several times, his backside almost sore from the repeated tumbles. By the time he finally reached the base of the mountain, he was fuming, ready to catch Damon and give him a good scolding.But when he looked up, everything changed.The snow-covered landscape, once barren and untouched, had been transformed into a dreamlike wedding venue.A deep crimson velvet carpet stretched across the white snow, flanked by golden candelabras and pure white roses. Warm light illuminated the scene, casting a soft, sacred glow across the entire place.And standing at the center of it
He had completely forgotten one thing—these four men were not the type to play by the rules!Before the plan even began, they united to scrap it completely."I don’t accept this three-month rotation business. I want to see him every day," Damon said confidently."Me too," Chen agreed without hesitation."Exactly, three months? Are you kidding me? We're not in a long-distance relationship," Shawn scoffed.Greg crossed his arms and added lazily, "And who can guarantee there won’t be any 'accidents' during those three months? If one of us does something to Dean, the other three will be disadvantaged."Dean was speechless, "...???"Weren't you the ones who came up with this plan?And now you're all in agreement to completely scrap it?But reality turned out to be even more absurd than Dean had imagined—Not only did they not rotate, but all four of them stayed.They immediately offloaded all the affairs of their gangs onto their subordinates and stayed by Dean's side every day, without a
But at that moment, his heart felt more at peace than ever before.Once the four of them were settled back in bed, Dean stood by their side, looking at each of them—still battered and bruised. Though they could speak and laugh, their faces were pale, their weakness evident, and it made his heart ache.He let out a soft sigh and was about to find a place to sit and rest for a moment when a familiar set of footsteps echoed from the doorway.Leo and Ted had arrived, followed by Linda and Tara."My dear little brother, are you alright?" Linda walked straight in, her gaze immediately scanning Dean, her eyes filled with concern.Dean flashed her a reassuring smile and shook his head lightly. “I’m fine. They protected me.”Tara’s eyes swept over the room, landing on the four men in bed, and she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “I can tell. But you need to eat and rest too.”As she spoke, she pulled out a bowl of porridge from the thermos bag she was holding and handed it to Dean.Dean bli
Dean pressed his lips together, his eyes cast down, a faint, rueful smile tugging at his expression. “I just feel... a little greedy. And... I’m sorry for them.”The Messenger’s fingers lightly tapped on the desk, a sound that felt like both a reminder and an awakening. “Didn’t they say they don’t mind?”Dean fell silent for a moment, then gave a helpless smile. “But I’m supposed to be a decent man.”At his words, the Messenger let out a light chuckle. “Seems like you still don’t understand.”Dean looked up in confusion. “Understand what?”The Messenger’s smile faded, and his gaze grew intense as if he were peering into the depths of Dean’s soul. “Why are they all part of the mafia?”Dean froze, his breath momentarily catching in his chest.He had never truly thought about that question before.Why weren’t they ordinary people? Why weren’t they doctors, lawyers, professors, or even just regular businessmen?Why, of all things, were they in the mafia?Dean opened his mouth, but no word
Chen paused for a moment, then spoke in a low, steady voice. "Shawn wasn’t a coward. He knew the final blow would be the hardest, so he let us take the first hits."Greg picked up where he had left off, his voice calm but carrying a weight of its own. "He even predicted how Ricky would plan things. That’s why he made preparations on our way there."Dean’s pupils constricted slightly, and his mind buzzed with confusion.He remembered the blood, the agonizing screams—the ten shots Greg had taken, the hundred blows Damon had endured, the thousand punches and kicks Chen had absorbed.He even recalled the image of Shawn being dragged behind the motorcycle, the blood and flesh grinding into the pavement, leaving a glaring, gruesome trail.If what they said was true, then what about Shawn?What kind of resolve had he carried to endure all of this?As Dean’s thoughts spiraled into chaos, a cool hand slowly rested on the back of his hand.Dean snapped out of his reverie, looking down in surpri
Chen’s vision was still blurry, but he tried to focus. When he finally saw Dean clearly, a barely perceptible smile curved his lips. His voice was so weak, it was almost like a whispering breeze. “...Are you crying?”Dean sucked in a sharp breath, quickly wiping the moisture from the corner of his eye. He shook his head. “No... not at all...”Chen let out a soft chuckle, a hint of weary affection in his eyes. “You little fool.”Dean’s nose tingled, and he quickly lowered his head to pour water, trying to hide the overwhelming emotions that were about to break free.But just as he was handing the water to Chen, a muffled groan suddenly came from the other bed in the room.Dean’s head snapped around, and sure enough, he saw Damon’s fingers twitch slightly, his brow furrowed.“Damon!” Dean rushed over, his steps quickening. One moment, he was tending to Chen, and the next, he was kneeling at Damon’s bedside, his eyes filled with urgent concern.Damon slowly opened his eyes, his gaze daze