Chapter 44: Was it because he hadn’t been good enough to 012?
In the Red Corner District of the Underground City, in Boss Huang’s mansion, several of his subordinates were sitting at the same table with the leader of the Red Flower Gang, the biggest power in the Red Corner District, to divide the inheritance.
Boss Huang had died at the Rainbow Cage Manor, and the news caused chaos for several days.
Inheritance division in the Underground City was different from that in residential areas, where legal protections were in place. In the Underground City, when a wealthy person died, inheriting their assets relied on seizing them.
While Boss Huang was alive, he and the leader of the Red Flower Gang were close, having financial and protective ties with each other.
But once he died, all the camaraderie vanished. The Red Flower Gang leader not only wanted his money and house but also Boss Huang’s goods channels, and even claimed his mistresses.
Boss Huang’s subordinates, holding onto the matter of the goods channels, argued with the Red Flower Gang leader, seeking to gain more benefits and continue to share in the spoils.
“Previously, Boss could get goods because he was close to Mr. Song from Rainbow Cage Manor. Now that Rainbow Cage Manor is gone, it might not be so easy to obtain goods in the future.”
“But I had been to the residential area with the boss before and had some connections. Give me some time, and I might be able to contact other channels.”
“Even if we can’t sell the old goods, selling some other safe items to make a little money would be good. What do you think, Boss Hong?”
As they spoke at the table, a ghostly figure stood on the beam above them, unnoticed.
Once the discussion about the channels was settled, the conversation shifted to Boss Huang’s death.
Although the Underground City lacked formal rules, there were some unwritten codes. For instance, when someone like Boss Huang was murdered, whoever inherited his property was expected to avenge him.
“Boss Huang died at Rainbow Cage Manor, but no one knows the exact details. The surviving bodyguards at the time said that Boss Huang was already set up before he went to Rainbow Cage Manor. It was Yin Hui from the Rose Bar who did it.”
“Yin Hui? I know him.” The Red Flower Gang boss took a large gulp from his wine glass, his tone dismissive. “He’s the new boss from Golden Light District, isn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s him! When do you plan to deal with him, Boss Hong?”
The Red Corner District was far from the Golden Light District, and the Red Flower Gang boss didn’t know the previous boss of Golden Light District. He had only heard that the previous boss had been killed by a beautiful mutant hunter he was interested in.
There weren’t many districts in the Underground City run by mutants.
The Golden Light District was relatively small and on the edge of the Underground City. The Red Flower Gang boss felt that Yin Hui inheriting the Golden Light District was merely a lucky break. No one bothered him, allowing him to live quietly in a corner.
As someone who had been the boss of the Red Corner District for over ten years, the Red Flower Gang boss naturally looked down on a young newcomer who had only been in the Underground City for half a year.
“It’s simple to deal with a young newcomer. We’ll send someone to take him down tomorrow. No matter how capable he is, can he fight against our hundreds of people? Can he escape from energy guns?”
The Red Flower Gang boss spoke with ease and supreme confidence.
The others laughed along, showering him with praise.
Yin Hui, the figure standing in the shadow on the beam, had a cold expression. He followed the Red Flower Gang boss as he moved from Boss Huang’s mansion to the gang’s headquarters.
No matter where they went, the Red Flower Gang boss was always accompanied by many people. Even when he was in his room with his mistress, there were two armed subordinates standing guard.
His caution had kept him safe as a leader for many years, but today, his luck had run out.
Lying half-drunk on his bed, the Red Flower Gang boss heard two thuds. As he looked around, he saw two splashes of bright red on the wall.
One of his trusted aides’ head had rolled to the edge of the bed.
Instantly sober, the Red Flower Gang boss reached for his gun and tried to call for help.
Suddenly, he felt someone yanking at his head from behind, and a sharp pain shot through his scalp.
His eyes, looking upward, saw someone who had appeared behind him without his notice. Despite his years of vigilance, he hadn’t detected the intruder or heard any sounds.
He tried to scream, but no sound came out no matter how hard he tried. The intense pain in his neck finally reached his brain.
Before he could make any noise, his head had already been severed.
The whole process was swift and silent; even the two guards outside the door were oblivious.
When a subordinate came to deliver something and found no one responding, they forced the door open, only to discover the headless corpse of their leader, with the blood on the bed dried to a dark red.
“Bad news! The boss has been killed! Get the deputy and the others immediately!”
Rushing into the deputy’s room, they found another headless body lying in a pool of blood.
The Red Flower Gang had hundreds of members, but only about seven of them were notable. Today, without exception, all of them had lost their heads just like their leader.
*
At the Rose Bar, the large bearded boss finished washing dishes, lifted the curtain, and walked to the front counter, where he saw 012 standing outside.
He sniffed the air and detected a strong smell of blood.
“A few days ago, I told you about Boss Huang and warned you to watch out for the Red Flower Gang boss from the Red Corner District. You said you needed to wait and check things out. Did you finally take care of it today?” The bearded boss smiled, “Did you clean up everything?”
“Cleaned up,” 012 replied. “I need some fried rice; he likes it. I want to take it back, along with some honey wine.”
The bearded boss wrinkled his nose. Seeing 012 waiting there, he had no choice but to prepare the fried rice.
He still couldn’t stand the sight of this so-called “cold-blooded killer” being so completely under the thumb of a man. If 012 had actually liked a girl, it would be one thing!
“Here you go.” The bearded boss tossed the packed fried rice onto the counter, “Hurry back. The smell of blood on you is getting stronger.”
012 pointed to the pile at his feet, “Leave these here.”
“Leave what here?” The bearded boss stepped out from behind the counter and saw a series of bloodied heads. No wonder there was such a strong stench of blood.
He smirked, “You used to take these with you. Why leave them here now?”
He didn’t have any place to store these things.
012 said, “He didn’t like them, so I didn’t take them back.”
Bearded Boss: “…”
The bearded boss slapped his thigh in frustration.
“Yin Hui! Listen to me, don’t be too good to men. Men are ungrateful. If you’re too good to them, they’ll lose interest and won’t cherish you!”
The bar’s door jingled as 012 walked out. He was in a hurry to get home and had no time for such life lessons.
…
When 012 arrived home, he saw his human partner in the yard.
Today, instead of sitting on the balcony sipping a drink or feeding kids at the street corner, he seemed to have just finished working, his shirt soaked with sweat.
The soil in the yard appeared to have been turned over.
“Back already?” Yu Yan greeted casually, taking off his muddy shoes and walking on the ground in his socks, lowering his sleeves.
He had buried all the items in the yard deeply and applied disinfectant extensively.
“What are you doing?” 012 approached him silently, like a shadow, suddenly appearing right in front of him.
Yu Yan said, “Oh, planting flowers.”
He walked towards the house and added, “Next time, bury things deeper; if you bury them too shallow, there will be a smell. Also, remember to spray some disinfectant. I’ve put everything in the warehouse.”
Suddenly, a cool body pressed against his back. Yu Yan reached out and tapped 012’s forehead with a smile, “Are you feeling addicted again?”
“Just so happens, I need to take a shower. You should probably clean up too. Want to join me?”
Yu Yan wiped his chin, noticing a hint of red on his fingertips.
“You haven’t left today either,” 012 said, deeply inhaling Yu Yan’s scent.
“Well, I wasn’t planning to leave so soon,” Yu Yan replied.
“If you go, I will bring you back,” 012 said, licking Yu Yan’s ear with a calm, unwavering voice. “No matter where you go, I can find you.”
“Oh dear, with such a sweet and innocent face, you say such frightening things,” Yu Yan said, though his expression didn’t show any fear. It seemed he didn’t take 012’s words seriously.
He was always like that, which made 012 often feel that he might disappear at any moment. Even when he was nearby, 012 felt the need to hold on tightly to him to feel secure.
After their shower, Yu Yan received a call from Lu Qiufeng.
“I’ve sent the items you requested,” Lu Qiufeng said.
“Thanks,” Yu Yan replied, drying his hair with a towel.
Lu Qiufeng couldn’t help but ask, “What do you need those things for? Aren’t you planning to return to Fifth District?”
Yu Yan said, “I might stay here a bit longer. I’m bored and want to work, or maybe I’m planning some special research.”
Lu Qiufeng sneered, “Oh, I see. You’re infatuated with that mutant and have forgotten about returning to Fifth District.”
Yu Yan laughed, “Could you help me prepare some more medication and send it over? I’ve sent you the list.”
Lu Qiufeng replied, “Did I agree to that?!”
Yu Yan said, “We’re like life-and-death friends, don’t be so distant.”
Lu Qiufeng cursed and then said, “The Kang family came to the research institute to cause trouble, but Deputy Director Yang dealt with them. I’ve also heard about Zhou Sheqing’s situation. If you’re not coming back now, then fine. Maybe Zhou Sheqing will realize you’re an idiot and won’t want to marry you after a while.”
Yu Yan just smiled, “That’s okay. In a while, she won’t even have time to worry about me.”
He had asked Lu Qiufeng to send over a set of laboratory equipment because he wanted to set up a lab in the underground city.
“So, Yao’er, is there a place for your third brother to set up a lab?” Yu Yan asked 012.
Originally, he planned to find a place himself, but seeing how closely 012 was watching, he decided to ask him first.
012 took him to see an empty small house next door. This house had been “inherited” by him as the boss of the Golden Light District.
The previous owner had been killed in an accident two months ago.
The killer had fled to the Golden Light District, and 012 dealt with him. According to the rules, the house now belonged to him.
As the boss of the Golden Light District, 012 had many such “inherited” or “provided” properties, all of which were empty.
This one was chosen because it was the closest to home.
After inspecting the house, Yu Yan joked to 012, “Looks like I’m going to become a kept man by a little girl now.”
“As long as you don’t leave me, I’ll give you anything,” 012 said.
Yu Yan glanced at the affection level hovering above 012’s head and sighed silently, “Yao’er, being so unreserved can easily lead to being deceived.”
012 tightly gripped his hand, “You can deceive me, as long as you don’t leave.”
Yu Yan didn’t fully understand. It was one thing in the past, but recently, he hadn’t rejected any of 012’s affections, responded to all requests, and been so gentle. Yet, 012 seemed to be holding on tighter, even insisting on staying close all the time, even inside the house.
Was it because he hadn’t been good enough to 012? Yu Yan wondered as he stroked his chin.
“Yao’er, would you like to see upstairs?” Yu Yan asked.
He led 012 upstairs and showed him the nest decorated with fresh flowers.
“Look, this is what I set up. Do you like it?”
