I closed my eyes. Consciousness drifted back. Warmth enveloped me like gentle water. I opened my eyes—pitch black. Floating somewhere. Far, far below, a faint phosphorescent glow drifted slowly past.

Where am I…?

I fumbled at my face. Water resistance pressed clearly—deep underwater. I froze. How’d I end up in the sea? I looked up. Dozens of meters above, a shimmering azure surface glowed.

Just float up first… Swimming’s kinda my thing.

As a kid, a dam stood far from home. I’d swim in that little river with friends. Later, a paint factory rose nearby. The water turned black, foul, choked with trash. I never went back.

I paddled upward, holding my breath, kicking gently. The glowing surface drew closer. Just as I pushed to rise—something grabbed my foot.

My heart jolted. I looked down. From the abyssal dark, the phosphorescent light brightened, shifting into surreal, swirling colors. I saw it: an octopus of unimaginable size. Silent, horizontal pupils locked onto me. One tentacle coiled my ankle, dragging me down.

I screamed—but forgot I was underwater. Bubbles erupted wildly. Cold suffocation seized me. I kicked, thrashed, even twisted to bite the tentacle. Useless. I drifted closer. It turned. At the center of eight limbs, a massive maw lined with barbed teeth slowly opened—a waiting meat grinder.

My mind reeled. I struggled desperately, but the grip was iron. I watched helplessly as I neared that gaping mouth. Teeth writhed, glistening.

If I’m dying—you’re coming too! Rage surged from nowhere. I roared. My last breath burst out. I shoved the tentacle and charged straight for that monstrous maw…

"Ah!"

I thrashed awake, roaring. Lao Han grinned triumphantly, releasing my nose. I sat up dazed. Familiar ceiling. Sunlight filtered softly through white curtains.

Lao Han chuckled. "Rise and shine. Past ten AM."

Speechless, I sighed in relief, shot her a glare. That dream was so damn terrifying. Something shifted on my chest. I looked down. Xiao Yao lay curled quietly against me. When this little loli stayed still, she was genuinely sweet. The warm embrace in the dream—it was her.

I stroked her hair. Lao Han sat nearby, smiling. "Are Ming Hai and Long Ge up?"

Lao Han shook her head. "Nah. Still sleeping."

I sighed. Xiao Yao clung like an octopus. Gently, I eased her aside. She frowned slightly, long lashes fluttering, then curled deeper into the blankets.

Lao Han watched warmly. I sat up, ruffled my messy hair. "Time to eat? Wake Xiao Yao?"

"Nope. Tired from yesterday. Let her sleep. I’ve eaten."

I sighed, headed to the bathroom. Adjusted the heater, washed up. Stared out the window. Clear skies today.

Exiting, I saw Lao Han seated by the bed, gently stroking Xiao Yao’s cheek.

I dried my face, watched them a moment, then left.

Cooking? Not happening. Instant noodles it is.

Water bubbled. I grabbed a cup. Phone rang—caller ID: "Rich Second Gen." *What now?* I answered. "Yeah?"

Feng Shao’s voice: "Met the bosses. Pool first, then dinner. Come with me."

Just woke up. Didn’t feel like moving. Set noodles down. "Young Master, why drag me? You probe their stance on Bai Hailong. Appeal to reason. Take it slow."

"Worst case, call him a mangy dog. Fighting him dirties their hands. Just stop hassling him and his sister. Done."

Feng Shao paused, mumbled: "I’m bad with words. Just… come."

*Figured it.* Too timid before the bosses. Needs backup.

I sighed—long, six seconds deep.

Wait. This should’ve been simple. Ridiculously simple. Why’d it spiral?

Correct script:

1. Liu Renfeng wants Long Mei.

2. Long Mei’s flashy—always provoking trouble.

3. Call Kill-You-In-30. Confront the leader. Let them handle it. Cash fixes fallout.

4. Done. ✓

But Feng Shao worships one creed: "True strength = relying only on yourself." So no bodyguards. Grinding alone—spending his ten-grand allowance to curry favor in that hollow little circle. *Brilliant logic. Truly moving.*

I can’t handle stubborn people. They reject flexibility. Probably skimmed some gangster novel filler line and made it dogma.

"Only self-reliance makes you strongest"? Then Tyson’s Earth’s apex being. U.S. President kneels to lick his shoes.

Helpless, I pondered six seconds. Nodded. "…Fine. Where?"

He named a pool hall. Vaguely familiar—twenty minutes by bus. "Broke," I asked. "Walkable? Hours?"

Feng Shao sighed. "Stay put. I’ll pick you up at noon."

I agreed. Slung the headset on my shoulder, tore the noodle pack open.

He hung up.

I poured hot water. Lao Han stepped out, smiling. "Xiao Yao sleeps soundly. Sweet night?"

I sealed the cup. "Yeah. Bathed together. Held her. Collapsed into exhausted sleep."

Lao Han chuckled. "Great. Ditch that thing downstairs. You two be sisters."

I ignored her, stirred the noodles. "Heading out later?" she asked.

"Pool with friends. Winner walks intact. Loser loses a finger."

She laughed. "Return whole, Brother Lu Ren. Xiao Yao and I leave tonight."

I nodded. Lao Han ambled to my room, yawning. "Napping with Xiao Yao. Wake me."

*After becoming a woman, this sister-con finally hugs her sister legally…* I smiled wryly. She closed the door slowly.

Alone. Ming Hai still asleep—whatever. Maybe a vampire. Sunlight kills her.

Long Ge? Definitely crashing. After yesterday, plus her all-night Dungeon Fighter sessions… sleeps at dawn. I should advise better habits. Sleep-deprived Saiyans demolish apartments.

Bring Long Ge?

Rejected instantly.

I’m forgettable—just along for the ride in that cafe brawl. But Long Ge? Iconic. White hair + scar. Only Bai Hailong and his "nonexistent little sister" have that look. One glance—clubs swing.

Noodles ready. I sat on the sofa. The door opened. Ming Hai emerged, rubbing eyes. Sat beside me silently, put on glasses, stared blankly at the table.

"Awake? Hungry?" I ventured.

She froze. Slowly lifted her head, as if noticing me for the first time.

We locked eyes. After a pause: "Hungry."

*Yeah. Dumb question.*

I handed her my untouched cup. She took it blankly, stared like it held ancient script. I offered chopsticks. She accepted, ate slowly, blowing on each strand. *At this rate, noodles’ll turn dry.*

I grabbed another cup. *Noodles galore—bulk bought. Lazy life demands them.*

Pondering the pool trip: Disguise? Light. Mask and hat? Suspicious. Sunglasses? Try-hard…

My gaze landed on Ming Hai’s black-rimmed glasses.

Hmm…

Perfect. One or two meetings? Unrecognizable.

Heater clicked off. I tore the pack, poured water.

Ming Hai ate two bites over ages. I sat beside her, paused. "Uh… strong prescription on these?"

Dreamlike, she kept eating. No reply.

Carefully, I lifted the glasses off her nose. No reaction. I put them on. *Non-prescription. Radiation protection, probably.*

She ate half, sighed. Hand instinctively pushed up—met bare nose bridge. Froze. Turned. Stared at me, unblinking.

I felt a little creeped out under her gaze and hurriedly stammered, "Uh… can I borrow your glasses? I’m heading out later—they’d look pretty cool on me…"

Ming Hai stayed silent for a long moment, studying me intently. Cold sweat prickled my neck. Finally, she gave a slight nod and whispered, "Okay."

Has this guy’s reflex arc been deep-fried or something…

Ming Hai lowered her head and went back to eating her noodles. I hesitated a beat, then followed suit, bowing my head to my own bowl. Sure, Ming Hai had always been prone to low blood sugar and drowsiness—but never *this* extreme. She felt a full step behind, like she was stuck replaying something in her head… just like Lao Han said. Something she kept turning over and over.

After finishing her instant noodles, Ming Hai stood up dazedly and shuffled back to her room. *Probably crashing again*, I thought with a sigh, clearing the two empty bowls from the table.

Long Ge still hadn’t woken. She’d slept a full day and night. Last midnight, on my way back from the bathroom, I somehow peeked into her room—she was dead to the world. I’d brushed her forehead then. The fever was gone.

That shady old quack who sold fake medicine? Yeah, I’ve got his face locked in. Next time I spot him, I’ll find a blind spot with no cameras, kick him three or four times, and bolt.

Ever since *that* happened, I haven’t known how to face Long Ge. Lao Han talked me through it once—logically, he was right. Long Ge is still Long Ge…

But damn, putting it into practice is impossible. Do brothers really pull moves this… gay?

I sank into the sofa, mind swirling in utter chaos.