Rain started just before evening.
Thin at first.
Then heavier.
The kind that blurred streets and turned reflections into ghosts.
Li Wei Finally Speaks
The upstairs room felt tighter than usual.
No one sat comfortably anymore.
Not after the documents.
Not after the photos.
Li Wei stood near the window, looking out at the rain-covered street.
"…Three months ago," he began quietly, "someone started approaching people connected to my father's business."
Chen Hao frowned.
"What kind of approaching?"
Li Wei's expression stayed unreadable.
"Threats. Bribes. Disappearances."
The room went still.
Yulan looked at him sharply.
"…Disappearances?"
Li Wei nodded once.
"My father thought it was business competition at first."
"But it's not?" Lin Meiyu asked.
Li Wei looked toward her.
"No."
A pause.
"Someone is trying to force control over the Li family from the inside."
The Hidden Enemy
Chen Hao folded his arms.
"…And these people attacking you?"
"They want leverage."
Yulan immediately understood.
"…Me."
Li Wei's silence confirmed it.
Something cold settled in Yulan's stomach.
Lin Meiyu's Role Changes
Lin Meiyu stepped forward calmly.
"My father knows some of the people involved."
Everyone looked at her.
She continued:
"The engagement isn't only social pressure anymore. It's political positioning."
Chen Hao blinked slowly.
"…I miss when this was just forbidden romance."
No one laughed.
Yulan Gets Followed
Later that night, Yulan left briefly to deliver extra ingredients to a nearby supplier.
The rain had slowed to a drizzle.
The streets were quieter now.
Too quiet.
Yulan pulled his jacket tighter—
Then noticed footsteps behind him.
Not close.
But steady.
Matching his pace.
He turned slightly.
Nothing obvious.
Just a man beneath an umbrella.
Still walking.
The Unease Builds
Yulan sped up.
The footsteps sped up too.
His pulse started climbing.
He turned a corner—
The man followed.
Now there was no doubt.
Yulan's breathing sharpened slightly.
He grabbed the bag tighter and moved faster through the narrow alleyways.
Then—
A second figure appeared ahead.
Blocking the exit.
Psychological Threat
Yulan stopped immediately.
Rainwater dripped quietly from the rooftops.
Neither man rushed him.
That was worse.
The first one spoke calmly:
"You're important to him."
Yulan's chest tightened.
"…Who are you?"
The man ignored the question.
"You should leave before this becomes harder."
Not shouted.
Not threatening.
Just… certain.
Fight or Freeze
Yulan stepped backward slowly—
But the second man moved closer.
Too close.
Instinct took over.
Yulan shoved the nearest trash bin hard into the man's path and ran.
Fast.
The alley echoed with footsteps immediately behind him.
Chen Hao Investigates
At the same time—
Back at the shop, Chen Hao sat surrounded by papers Lin Meiyu had brought.
"…Wait," he muttered suddenly.
Lin Meiyu looked over.
"What?"
Chen Hao pointed at one photo.
"This car."
Li Wei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What about it?"
"I've seen it before."
Silence.
Then Chen Hao's expression changed.
"…Outside the shop. Repeatedly."
That made everyone go still.
The Chase
Yulan turned sharply into another alley—
But someone grabbed his arm hard from behind.
He gasped, struggling immediately—
"Let go—!"
The man slammed him lightly against the wall.
Not enough to injure.
Enough to control.
"You don't understand what you're involved in," the man said quietly.
Yulan shoved against him.
"…Then explain it!"
The man leaned closer slightly.
"…Li Wei cannot protect you from this."
Li Wei Arrives
A fist slammed into the attacker before Yulan could react.
Hard.
The man staggered back instantly.
Li Wei.
His expression was colder than Yulan had ever seen before.
"Get away from him."
The second attacker moved—
Li Wei reacted immediately, grabbing Yulan and pulling him behind him in one movement.
The alley exploded into motion.
Action Scene – Brutal and Fast
The first man lunged.
Li Wei blocked the strike and drove his elbow sharply into the attacker's throat.
The second tried to come from the side—
Li Wei kicked the back of his knee, forcing him down hard onto the wet pavement.
No hesitation.
No restraint now.
Yulan had never seen him fight like this before.
Not controlled.
Not elegant.
Dangerous.
The Hidden Enemy Speaks
Before retreating, one of the men laughed quietly.
"…You still don't know who's behind this, do you?"
Li Wei froze slightly.
Only for a second.
But Yulan noticed.
The attackers escaped into the rain.
Aftermath – Dark Shift
The alley fell silent again except for heavy breathing and rainfall.
Li Wei turned immediately.
"…Are you hurt?"
Yulan shook his head slightly.
"…No."
But his hands were trembling.
Li Wei noticed.
His expression tightened instantly.
The Emotional Breakpoint
"You shouldn't have gone alone," Li Wei said sharply.
Yulan stared at him.
"…You think this is my fault?"
"That's not what I said."
"It sounded like it."
Li Wei ran a hand through his wet hair, frustrated.
"…I'm trying to keep you alive."
Yulan stepped closer despite himself.
"…Then stop acting like I'm a weakness."
That hit hard.
Too hard.
Li Wei looked at him—
Really looked at him—
Then suddenly grabbed the front of Yulan's jacket and pulled him close.
Dark Intimate Scene
The kiss wasn't soft.
It wasn't careful.
It felt desperate.
Angry.
Terrified.
Like Li Wei needed proof that Yulan was still standing in front of him.
Rain soaked through their clothes as Yulan grabbed his sleeve tightly, kissing him back just as fiercely.
For a moment—
Everything else disappeared again.
The danger.
The fear.
The future.
Gone.
Only heat and breath remained.
When they finally separated, Li Wei rested his forehead briefly against Yulan's.
"…You are not a weakness," he whispered.
The way he said it sounded almost painful.
Ending Revelation
Back at the shop—
Chen Hao stared at the final paper in silence.
Then slowly looked up.
"…Li Wei."
Li Wei turned.
Chen Hao's voice dropped.
"…I think someone inside your family is helping them."
Silence.
Cold.
Absolute.