When he spoke those numbers, his tone was unnervingly calm, as though reciting scars etched so deeply, they could never be forgotten. Yet within that composed voice, every word seemed to carry a profound sadness and smoldering anger. Dean felt an oppressive weight pressing down on him, a suffocating intensity that made it hard to breathe. He saw the flicker of pain in Damon’s eyes as if those numbers were not merely statistics of the dead, but the vivid echoes of lives once full of vitality. It was as though Damon was using those numbers to relentlessly interrogate himself, a ritual of mourning for the brothers he had lost. The unyielding grief and guilt etched on Damon’s face were impossible to ignore.Dean found himself at a loss, unsure of how to console Damon or whether he should even attempt to defend Chen. The emotional tangle was suffocating, a pressure that made every breath feel heavy and labored. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to focus on easing the tension, howeve
Dean frowned deeply, his thoughts churning with confusion and anger. He couldn’t simply let this matter slide; it gnawed at him like an unresolved knot. Determined to get to the bottom of it, he strode out of the room, his steps brisk and purposeful, the weight of unease pressing heavily on his chest. Without hesitation, he headed straight to find Chen.As he reached the living room, his eyes immediately fell upon Chen standing there, calm and composed, as if utterly unaffected by what had just transpired. His expression was unreadable, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside Dean.“Chen!” Dean called out, his voice sharp and laced with restrained fury. “Leo said you hit him—is that true?”Chen turned his gaze toward Dean, his demeanor unruffled, showing neither guilt nor concern. With a deliberate nod, he admitted his actions without a hint of remorse. “Yes,” he said plainly. “I had someone teach him a lesson.” His tone was so casual, so matter-of-fact, that it felt as though
In an instant, the entire atmosphere seemed to freeze. Damon and Chen exchanged glances, neither daring to utter another word, their eyes betraying a flicker of panic. No one dared to continue mocking or deceiving Dean, for they all realized that his patience had worn thin.After a brief silence, Damon raised his hand and pointed towards the man beside him, his voice soft but heavy with resignation. "This is Chen," he said as if acknowledging that further debate would be futile.Chen remained silent as well, not offering a single word. He simply stood up and walked towards Dean, his expression no longer one of the frantic aggressions from earlier, but instead, a complex mix of emotions, as if bracing himself for whatever question Dean might ask next."I am Chen," he said, his voice steady but tinged with a quiet apology.Dean seized Chen by the arm, pulling him along with a rush of anger, his footsteps hurried and unthinking. He didn’t even notice which floor he had reached or whose r
Chen finally spoke, his tone shifting from playful to more sincere, his voice carrying a vulnerability that hadn’t been there before. "At first, I punished Leo simply because I was afraid, he might take you away from me. Then I saw you get angry, and I realized how much you care about him as a friend. I was scared you’d leave with him, so I tried to get him to join the Cobra Gang. That way, you both could stay here, and I wouldn’t have to fear you leaving. But I never expected Leo to refuse."His voice became rougher, the glass in his hand slowly emptying. He lifted his gaze to meet Dean’s, eyes filled with confusion as if struggling to distinguish between what was real and what wasn’t. "If you really want to go back to the Dragon Gang......, could you at least be open to something? I don’t mind having an affair, as long as I can still have some connection with you. That would be enough for me."Dean froze. He had never seen this side of Chen before—so raw and filled with insecurity.
In the quiet night, Dean sat by Chen's side, attending to him with great care. He adjusted the bed, replaced the bandages with fresh ones, and gently dimmed the lights, mindful to avoid any harsh glare that might cause Chen discomfort. The room was so still that the sound of Chen's shallow breathing could be heard clearly. Dean watched him intently, a soft, tender emotion beginning to stir within him. Seeing the furrowed brow on Chen's face, a sign of pain, Dean instinctively wanted to encourage him to rest a little longer.However, just then, Chen slowly opened his eyes, his gaze slightly unfocused, looking at Dean with a touch of confusion.Noticing that he had awakened, Dean quickly leaned in closer and whispered, "You're awake? The doctor said the wound would hurt, so try not to move too much. Are you feeling any discomfort?" His voice was filled with concern, his movements careful as though he were afraid of causing Chen any more distress.Chen didn’t answer immediately. Instead,
Chen's words left Dean stunned. It felt as though his throat had been tightly constricted, and for a long while, he couldn't find the words to respond. His mind was a swirl of emotions—touched, yet overwhelmed by a complex mix of feelings he couldn’t quite name. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something in reply, but found himself utterly lost for words.It seemed Chen didn’t wish to linger on the subject any longer. With a soft sigh, he spoke again, "Let's leave it at that. I want to sleep." His voice carried a trace of fatigue, and his eyes drifted closed, signaling that he no longer wished to discuss anything further.But Dean didn’t back down. His voice, gentle yet persistent, filled the quiet room. "How about... you turn over for a moment? No, wait, you can’t press on the wound... I’ll just gently wipe your hands and feet, I won’t disturb you, it’ll be quick." His tone was filled with both care and resolve as if he were terrified that Chen might refuse.Chen remained silent f
Tara calmly added, "It could also be that... he couldn’t escape."Linda let out a soft sigh, her tone growing more complicated. "If that were the case, it would’ve made headlines, right? 'Gang leader hacked to pieces'—that kind of headline would definitely grab attention."Dean didn’t respond. He simply furrowed his brow, muttering under his breath, "But why... why would this happen?"After a few more moments of light-hearted banter, the call ended. Though Linda and Tara's analysis had answered some of his questions, it had only raised even more.Once the call was over, Dean sat back in his chair, staring at the sketch of the scars as if through them he could uncover the secrets buried deep within Chen’s heart. His curiosity was piqued to the extreme. This time, he vowed, he would get to the bottom of it, no matter what it took.After a moment of deep thought, Dean finally came up with the one person who was most likely to know the answer—the butler.He wasted no time and went straigh
Dean clicked open the most recent reports and quickly skimmed through them. With the reading skills he’d honed during his time at the law firm, he could easily understand the doctor's notes and advice. The latest reports indicated that Chen's physical condition was generally good, with no major abnormalities. However, Dean's gaze quickly shifted from these new reports to the older ones. He began scrolling through the records from 10 to 15 years ago.He had expected it to take some time to sift through the files, but when he reached the records from 12 years ago, the frequency of the checkups immediately caught his attention. At the age of 18, Chen had nearly weekly checkups! This aligned perfectly with the timeline the butler had provided. Dean’s heart began to race; he felt as though he was getting closer to the truth.He opened the earliest physical report from Chen's 18th year, and the content of the report shocked him. It detailed Chen’s injuries: multiple stab and slash wounds, w
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