After that, the eyes seemed to close the door again. Thump! But Seo Seung-hyun was quicker than that. Before the door could fully close, his foot slipped through the gap.
“什么, 什么。(What, what?)”
A mischievous twinkle appeared in the corner of his eyes.
“习喜平竟敢让我等。(How dare Xi Xiping make me wait.)”
His well-groomed fingers forcefully pushed the closing door. Click! Sixteen well-trained hands swiftly loaded their guns. Eight barrels. Eight pairs of glimmering eyes. Seo Seung-hyun calmly walked between them, and the barrels followed his movements. Amidst the colonial-style living room, next to a decorative fireplace and a table adorned with lilies, a young man crouched on the bulky sofa, stuttering as he spoke.
“Seo, Seo, Seo Seung-hyun….”
Seo Seung-hyun’s steps halted.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Uh, y-yes. H-how have you been, hyungnim?”
Awkward Korean words came out.
Seo Seung-hyun nonchalantly moved again and plopped down on the sofa opposite Xi Xiping. He showed a relaxed attitude, paying no mind to the guns pointed towards his head. The stoic-faced Jang Young-hee stood upright next to the sofa where Seo Seung-hyun had sat.
Xi Xiping glanced back and forth between the two before finally managing to speak.
“I d-didn’t know you were here, hyungnim. If I had known, I would have come to greet you earlier….”
“Earlier?”
“…I would have come to greet you first, if I knew.”
Sweat formed on Xi Xiping’s temple, and his eyebrow twitched uncontrollably. He forced a smile, but his lips stiffened. In front of this young Triad executive who could hardly hide his anxiety, Seo Seung-hyun casually shrugged his shoulders.
“Why should we bother with who greets whom first? We’re just here like this.”
Crossing his legs, Seo Seung-hyun leaned back on the armrest of the large couch with a relaxed posture.
“People with business come first, right? Isn’t that how it goes?”
“Ha, hahaha… You’re right, hyungnim.”
Xi Xiping forced a laugh.
“So, what brings you here today?”
“Hmm.”
Instead of getting straight to the point, Seo Seung-hyun tilted his head and smiled slyly. Xi Xiping felt a mixture of fear and dread from that charming smile, causing him to shiver slightly. Recognizing Xi Xiping’s fear and anxiety, Seo Seung-hyun’s smile became even more distinct.
“Two years ago, I took a big risk and helped you, remember?”
“O-of course, haha… I was greatly indebted to you back then.”
“Good to know you remember.”
With those words, Seo Seung-hyun’s sharp gaze scanned the surroundings.
Sweat collected on Xi Xiping’s forehead.
“他妈的, 收起枪! (F**k, put your guns away!)”
At the thunderous command, the eight gun barrels aimed at Seo Seung-hyun and Jang Young-hee were instantly lowered, without a hint of hesitation or doubt. With a blade-like movement in response to the order, Seo Seung-hyun raised both his hands and clapped once.
“Excellent, huh? You have good security personnel.”
“Being praised by you, hyungnim, is quite an honor.”
Xi Xiping retrieved a crumpled silk handkerchief from his back pocket to wipe away the cold sweat on his forehead and temple.
“So, why did you come here anyway? I heard Chief Jang went to Panama, and you’re supposed to be on vacation…”
“You seem to know a lot about my schedule.”
Seo Seung-hyun interrupted him.
His eyes still held a smile.
Xi Xiping’s breath caught, and his shoulders tensed.
After a few seconds of silence, he forced out a laugh, trying to compose himself.
“Ha, ha, ha… Hyungnim, you’re quite popular here, you know? Even if I didn’t want to hear it, the rumors reach me… No, I definitely didn’t purposely follow you. Oh, no, I mean it! Hyungnim, can’t you trust me?”
“What did I do?”
Seo Seung-hyun shrugged nonchalantly, as if he knew nothing.
“But speaking of following someone, it wasn’t me… I heard an interesting story though.”
“I-interesting story?”
Xi Xiping asked, with a face that clearly showed he didn’t find it interesting at all.
“You set up a corporation in Mauritius, right? Hmm, what was the name again, something Ching…?”
“Wait! Wait a minute!”
Xi Xiping let out a desperate scream.
“Alright! I get it! I get it! Just tell me why you came here in the first place!”
And then, with a calm smile, Seo Seung-hyun kindly explained his purpose of coming to Xi Xiping.
“The auction.”
Xi Xiping’s face contorted. His lips twisted in different directions, wrinkles formed on his forehead, and the corners of his eyes twitched. His lips slightly opened and then closed again.
“Ho-how could you… ?”
“I heard you met Gerbandi at the Capella Hotel, right?”
“How did you know…?”
“A rather naive question.”
Seo Seung-hyun’s eyes slightly narrowed, and an enchanting smile appeared on his face.
“When have I ever not known something?”
Xi Xiping’s pupils shook uncontrollably. Seo Seung-hyun looked at the bewildered expression of the highest-ranking figure in the underworld with a rather amused feeling.
“Why are you so surprised? Anyone would think I’m blackmailing you or something.”
The well-groomed fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest.
“I just need a little help, that’s all. Understand?”
At those words, Xi Xiping jumped up as if a spring had been released.
“Oh my god, hyungnim! Hyungnim!”
He crawled on top of the table and approached Seo Seung-hyun, practically hugging his legs tightly.
“Hyungnim! Please, please save me! I’m going to die, I’m really going to die!”
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