Over the next two days and with Annihilation’s support, Phantom’s attacks on Nine Eagles became even more fierce. Gua One and the others also accelerated their clean-up of Gunfire’s subordinate organizations in L country. 

On the first day, Zuo Yang didn’t move. The next day, however, it looked like he’d lost his head all of a sudden, beginning to send out frantic messages, trying to talk to Lian Jun once more. 

Lian Jun, maintaining his “vengeful boyfriend” persona, ruthlessly refused all Zuo Yang’s requests for contact. He also mobilized the Annihilation forces in China and began to target Nine Eagles within the country. 

Despite having enormous strength and the support of the government, Annihilation had always been low-key, never attacking other organizations unless provoked. Since it had actually taken the initiative to strike at Nine Eagles this time, and in quite a high-profile way at that, the underworld leaders were alarmed. Lu Shan, Tarantula’s leader, was direct and called to ask what was going on.

Faced with Lu Shan’s ‘come on, tell Auntie the latest gossip’-style inquiry, Lian Jun only said, “Zuo Yang targeted my lover.”

{What did you say?} Lu Shan’s voice rose in an instant. Shocked, she asked, {Your lover? Who? Since when did you have a lover? How come I didn’t hear anything about it? At the conference, you didn’t seem to… Wait, could it be that new kid you had with you?}

“It’s him,” Lian Jun replied. He continued, his words both a reminder and a warning, “Competing for profits is fine, but anyone targeting my people should be prepared to suffer the consequences.”

His meaning wasn’t hard to understand. Lu Shan fell quiet for a moment, then let out a cold snort and said, {You’re quite protective, you little devil. I think the same way you do, though—attacking someone’s family is a despicable move. Anyway, you’re making everyone nervous. You’d better throw some explanation at them or they will start keeping an eye on you again.}

“I know, but thank you for the reminder.” Lian Jun’s tone eased. He gave Lu Shan some more information about the situation with Gunfire, then hung up.

Since Lian Jun had been straightforward and introduced him as his lover, Shi Jin’s heart surged with happiness. Delighted, he said, “You seem to have a good relationship with the leader of Tarantula.”

“Aunt Lu was my father’s friend, she’s like an elder of my family. Because of the current situation, she and I act as bitter enemies. Once everything is settled, I’ll take you to meet her for an official introduction.” 

What he means is, he wants me to meet his family, right?

Shi Jin froze, surprised. All at once, he realized that this was the first time Lian Jun had mentioned his family in front of him. 

He glanced at Lian Jun, about to speak, but hesitated and looked away.

This repeated a few times. Amused, Lian Jun said, “If you have anything to ask, just ask—you don’t have to worry so much.” He wanted to hug Shi Jin but the wheelchair hindered him, so he had to settle for taking his hand.

Lian Jun said it himself. Thinking that, as a couple, it was important to know more about each other, and that they would end up talking about it sooner or later anyway, Shi Jin began with caution, “I’ve heard that you grew up in Annihilation, but I don’t think anyone has ever mentioned anything about your family…”

“Because I no longer have any family. The others are worried I’ll be upset, so they usually avoid talking about it,” Lian Jun replied. He’d already come to terms with the situation, so his mood remained calm despite the topic turning to this matter. “My father was the last leader of Annihilation. He seized this position from the previous leader after my mother died.”

At that answer, Shi Jin was a little conflicted. He would love to know more about Lian Jun, but judging by the tidbit his lover just disclosed, his past didn’t seem all that pleasant. Talking about it would probably make Lian Jun sad.

Making Lian Jun sad was the last thing he wanted.

Lian Jun noticed his tangle and his heart softened. “It’s okay. This is just an old story, I’m fine with telling it to you,” he soothed.

The story of Lian Jun’s family was actually quite simple. To summarize: Lian Jun’s father, who grew up in Annihilation, climbed to the top level of the organization through his own efforts, even becoming the right hand of the previous leader. Then, while on a mission, he came across Lian Jun’s mother, who was just a normal person. With that meeting, the desire to retire and live an ordinary life with her sprouted in his mind. 

The old leader pretended to be understanding and helped Lian Jun’s father change his identity, allowing him to lead a normal life. In secret, however, he revealed the whereabouts of Lian Jun’s father to his old rival, which led to Lian Jun’s pregnant mother being seriously injured. She died shortly after giving birth to Lian Jun.

It went without saying that Lian Jun’s father was burning with hatred and wanted revenge. It was then that the old leader appeared, protecting him and promising to help him. Lian Jun’s father was overwhelmed with gratitude. He returned to the organization, taking Lian Jun with him, and became the old leader’s sharpest knife. He not only helped the old leader get rid of his rival, but dealt with new opponents as they came, gradually building Annihilation into what it was now.

As a result, after the foundation was laid down and Annihilation became powerful, Lian Jun’s father was deemed more of a hazard than a useful tool. The old leader, afraid that he would discover what he’d done, decided to strike first. Tearing off his mask of hypocrisy, he threatened Lian Jun’s life, attempting to force Lian Jun’s father into taking his own life. At last, Lian Jun’s father learned the truth. His fury and hatred were set ablaze again, flaring even hotter than before. Knowing that Lian Jun wasn’t likely to survive even if he bowed to the threats and committed suicide, he decided to see things through to the end. He took a few loyal subordinates, killed the old leader, and sat in his position.

“…That’s more or less it. My father had hesitated over whether he should send me away to be raised in an ordinary family and live a normal life. In the end, he decided not to, afraid that his and Annihilation’s enemies would find and kill me, and did everything he could to push me to the position of the leader instead. Now I’m really glad he did—if not for me being Annihilation’s leader, I might never have met you.”

Shi Jin leaned over to hug Lian Jun. “I’ll be your family, one day,” he said seriously.

Lian Jun’s eyes were full of an indescribable gentleness. He returned the hug, giving his back a soft pat. “Mhm.”