Chapter 39: Xiao, Long Time No See

Chapter 39: Xiao, Long Time No See

Rong Xiao's arms wrapped tightly around Yun Zi'an, his fingers clenching Yun Zi'an's sweat-soaked nape. His back muscles tensed, seemingly sprouting wings. Even as the blade cut into his flesh, he uttered no sound, using his body to create a safe haven for Yun Zi'an.

Yun Zi'an's pupils trembled violently, hot blood continuously streaming onto his face and neck. His body felt unprecedentedly cold, like lava from a volcanic eruption entering the sea, creating a massive shockwave, turning all vitality to ash. For a moment, he felt as if his soul was being torn apart.

In this life-and-death moment, any hesitation was lethal. Rong Xiao rolled on the ground with Yun Zi'an, dodging several slashes. He then counterattacked with a dagger, stabbing a thug's wrist. The machete clattered to the ground, which he kicked into another's shoulder. In less than a second, he downed two men, his skills causing the remaining attackers to shrink back, daring not to advance.

Rong Xiao stood with a dagger in one hand, the other protecting Yun Zi'an behind him, his eyes filled with lethal intent. He resembled a grim reaper, his chest heaving. A palm-sized gash crisscrossed his back, the clothing torn, revealing a gruesome wound, flesh turned inside out, blood pouring, staining his shirt beyond recognition.

Yun Zi'an's back pressed against the cold concrete wall, with Rong Xiao's arms shielding him in front, creating an inviolable sanctuary. His pupils dilated and trembled, even afraid to breathe, unable to describe the ferocity emanating from Rong Xiao – wild, bloodthirsty, and fierce, emerging from every pore to form an invisible blade, intimidating the petty thieves with just a look.

This was another side of Rong Xiao.

Like a stele weathered by wind and sword, it reveals its marks only when stained with blood.

Rong Xiao glared fiercely at the thugs, barking in the local language, "Get out—!"

Realizing they had bitten off more than they could chew, the thugs, none wishing to leave their lives here, exchanged glances. Like sewer rats at the sight of a cat, they scattered in all directions.

The dark, filthy alley became deserted in seconds. Rong Xiao took a deep breath, his tense muscles finally relaxing for a moment. Only then did he feel the searing pain of the wound on his back and the cold numbness in his limbs from blood loss. The dagger in his hand clattered to the ground.

Yun Zi'an saw him stagger and paled with alarm, quickly supporting his arm, "Rong Xiao—!"

"It's nothing." Rong Xiao's hand, clad in combat gloves, covered Yun Zi'an's, patting gently, "It's not a serious wound."

Yun Zi'an's nerves, overstimulated by the vast redness of blood, couldn't relax. He tried to say something but coughed instead, the suppressed taste of blood surging in his throat, almost ejecting his lungs.

"Yuan Yuan?" Rong Xiao saw him cover his mouth with his left hand and turned to see Yun Zi'an's twisted right wrist, grabbing it, "What happened?"

"It's nothing." Yun Zi'an, never one to show weakness, replied lightly, "Just a scratch."

With a hiss, Rong Xiao swiftly took off his T-shirt, leaving only a camo jacket over his well-defined, sweat-glistening chest muscles. He tore the hem of the shirt with his teeth, holding the fabric in his mouth, then glanced at Yun Zi'an, "Bear with it."

Just as Yun Zi'an lifted his chin to nod, before his chin could drop, Rong Xiao gripped his wrist and snapped it back into place. Half a second later, the delayed nerve-wrenching pain shot up to the back of his head like an electric current, almost suffocating Yun Zi'an, who was about to scream—

Deep in his mind, the truth was etched that only the weak scream. Remarkably, he stifled the emerging cry of pain with sheer willpower. However, the intense pain, like a hurricane or tsunami, overtook his reason before he could react, his body acting first.

He bit down on Rong Xiao's shoulder, teeth sinking deep into the flesh, muffling the scream in the depths of his throat.

This bite was unexpected; even Rong Xiao couldn't react in time. But even if he had, he wouldn't have pushed Yun Zi'an away. He simply tilted his neck back, veins bulging, enduring the pain stoically.

"It's okay, it's okay..." Rong Xiao's hand covered the back of Yun Zi'an's head, his fingers soothingly ruffling the sweat-soaked hair, his tone surprisingly gentle, "Good boy, it's all right now..."

Yun Zi'an's mouth was filled with the taste of blood, his eyes bloodshot, feeling as though his eardrums were submerged in the deep sea, slowly being brought back by Rong Xiao's voice. His jaw finally relaxed, pulling away from the shoulder, leaving a bloody imprint, and he stared in a daze.

His body seemed to lose all its strength, his head falling heavily onto Rong Xiao's neck. The shared experience of life and death made him cherish their united heartbeats at this moment. A choked sorrow filled his throat, like he was wronged, and he called out softly, "Brother..."

"I'm here," Rong Xiao's heart clenched at this call of "Brother," tenderly kissing Yun Zi'an's temple, embracing his slender shoulders, "Brother is here."

Lee, who had been wandering the alleys aimlessly with a fire stick, finally caught this scene.

The always proud Yun Zi'an, now nestled against Rong Xiao's broad chest, his sharp features smeared with dust and sweat, unexpectedly showed a refined tranquility. The usually sharp aura around him completely vanished at this moment, revealing a soft and clinging side. Their lips didn't meet, but their souls were tightly entwined in the void, even resonating together.

Like whales to the sea, birds to the forest.

Driven by his pursuit of art and beauty, Lee felt a deep regret and even remorse at this moment for not carrying his camera to capture this scene.

Perhaps when love reaches its zenith, it becomes art.

Lee's Adam's apple moved difficultly, as if choked by something, finally realizing that he didn't lack those two centimeters, but rather...

Was not a good person.

Boom—!

Suddenly, the roaring sound of an engine approached rapidly, echoing through the alley, startling even the deaf. Rong Xiao's gaze sharpened instantly, protecting Yun Zi'an behind him. The next second, a modified motorcycle leaped over a two-meter-high wall!

It landed with shock absorption, followed by a tail-spin drift. The paintwork revealed a ghastly white fluorescent skull. The rider, dressed in black with an obscured helmet, made a startling appearance, followed by the engine sounds of seven or eight motorcycles, thunderous and deafening.

Seeing the eerie skull, Rong Xiao's expression changed drastically. He shielded Yun Zi'an and grabbed Lee's collar, rushing forward, "Run—!"

His left and right hands presented two opposite scenes. His right hand, like a debt collector, tightly gripped Lee's collar. The hefty man seemed like a chick in his grasp, his feet nearly off the ground.

His left hand, however, cradled the back of Yun Zi'an's head, his tense arm outlining his muscles. Yet, this forceful grip didn't exert much pressure on Yun Zi'an's slender neck, perfectly balanced, like walking a tightrope high in the air or a rough man handling an embroidery needle, not a bit too much or too little.

Rounding a corner, their path was blocked by rusty, broken containers. Rong Xiao clenched his teeth, his shoulders surging with strength as he hurled Lee up, not caring how he landed. Then, sliding into a kneel, he cupped his hands for Yun Zi'an to step on, shouting, "Get up!"

Yun Zi'an stepped onto his palm, and with a boost from Rong Xiao's arms, he too was sent atop the container. As Yun Zi'an disappeared behind it, the sound of motorcycle engines was alarmingly close!

With a flick, a dagger sprung to life in Rong Xiao's hand. His muscles tensed, ready to spring into action. As he turned, bright headlights suddenly filled his vision, forcing him to squint and raise his other hand to shield his eyes.

But that momentary dazzle cost him the initiative—

A series of clicking sounds of guns being cocked echoed, and the next second, a gun, as if embracing, slid up his bare abdomen, the cold sensation like a serpent climbing to his chest, throat, and then pressing against his jaw, forcing Rong Xiao to lift his head.

The leading motorcyclist removed their helmet, revealing fiery red hair, like a rose ablaze. A pale face broke into a smile, making the scar running from the lip to the cheek all the more grotesque.

It was impossible to tell whether the person was male or female, but their sadism was etched deep within their bones, their smile both wanton and sinister.

"Xiao, long time no see."