Chapter Text
Still hot on Lu Guang’s heels, Vein is practically closing the gap on pure adrenaline. That bastard could predict his every move.
Rounding the corner into the alley at full speed, he catches sight of the man he was looking for, along with a whole crew of familiar faces.
Vein greets them with a venomous smirk.
“Didn't expect you to lead me right here. Well then... are all the actors on stage?”
The smirk instantly dies on Tianchen’s face the second he spots Vein.
Wang Qing instinctively takes a step back, remembering all too well how her last run-in with the redhead went down.
Then Vein’s eyes catch the pale shape lying so wrong on the filthy asphalt.
A sudden ringing fills his ears, drowning out every sound around him for a few terrifying seconds. All he can stare at is that motionless body, the pale face, and the damp hair matted to his forehead.
“Felix…”
For the first time in his life, Vein has no idea what to do. He has no backup plan for something like this.
In those brief seconds of hesitation, the absolute worst-case scenarios flash through his mind. It takes every ounce of his self-control to pull himself together and keep from exposing his panic to these people.
They shouldn't see him like this. They don't deserve to.
“What did you do to him?” he barks out, snapping his fan open.
Wang Qing opens her mouth, trying to explain, “He should wake up in twelve hours—”
Remembering her superpower, Vein doesn't wait for her to finish. He cuts her off instantly, lunging forward in a heartbeat.
Every single movement screams pure rage. Vein slashes his fan toward the blonde, but the detective sharply steps in to cover her.
No longer holding back his strength, Vein grabs him by the collar and slams him violently against the brick wall. Plaster rains down on both of their shoulders.
Vein’s fan almost reaches his throat, but Jae ducks at the absolute last second, dodging the lethal arc. Even so, it was way too close; the detective lets out a pained gasp as he staggers back.
Later, seizing a moment when Vein’s guard slips, Jae manages to flip the script and go on the offensive.
A brutal, bloody clash breaks out between them. Rapid attacks trade back and forth, and the detective’s clothes are already shredded almost to rags.
Jae has officially pushed him past the breaking point.
Jae Lee drops into a defensive stance. Right at that moment, Vein feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. Reluctantly, he answers it without even checking the screen.
“Fall back. The police are almost there, she's no longer needed,” Xavier says. Of course. Who else could it be?
He only has two contacts on this phone: him and Xia Fei.
Liu Xiao’s words barely register through the fog in his head because his mind was consumed by something entirely different. Ending the call, Vein slowly slips the phone back into his pocket.
He couldn't care less.
He turns his gaze back to Xia Fei, who still hasn't moved an inch, completely ignoring the heavily breathing, bloodied Jae Lee.
Qiao Ling instantly reads his intention and steps in front of the blonde, blocking his path.
“Don't you dare! You're not taking him!”
“Get out of my way,” Vein enunciates every word, advancing on her step by step. His fan is still white-knuckled in his grip, his pale face totally devoid of emotion.
“He stays with us! The medics are already on their way!” the girl cuts in again, though her voice trembles slightly from the sheer danger radiating off him.
Fury flares up in him with renewed force. Vein accelerates, raising his weapon right to her throat.
His focus is narrowed to a single point: he is ready to tear through Qiao Ling just as ruthlessly as he did Jae Lee a few seconds ago. No police, no Xavier, and certainly no “friends” of Xia Fei will ever force him to leave the boy with them.
Qiao Ling is a fighter and tries to hold her ground, but deep down she knows she stands zero chance against Vein.
Lu Guang grabs her by the forearm, pulling her back.
Vein drops to one knee right in front of Felix. He gently runs a hand over Xia Fei’s forehead, completely ignoring Lu Guang’s heavy stare.
He couldn't care less about him right now. He'll deal with him and Liu Xiao’s obsession with getting Lu Guang later.
Vein rises to his feet, scooping Xia Fei up in his arms. The boy feels terrifyingly light.
His body feels completely lifeless right now, making something inside Vein twist painfully.
His fingers dig hard into the fabric of Xia Fei’s clothes, holding him so tightly, as if letting go for even a split second would make him disappear into thin air.
The sirens draw closer.
Vein turns around, locking eyes one last time with the four left in the alley, making it crystal clear that this is far from over.
And step by step, he melts into the dark.