2 Two

Being rejected like that, the handsome youth opposite immediately grew cold. His deep black eyes fixed steadily on Su Yeming, and the tear mole at the corner of his eye seemed to emit an uncanny allure.

The boy’s appearance was undeniably exquisitely handsome, even bearing a delicate androgyny. When he was angry, those charming, flirtatious peach blossom eyes became extraordinarily dazzling, making it impossible to look away.

“Really clueless, little brother. Come here, you can eat whatever you want.”

Su Yeming’s silence naturally invited others to take the initiative. A few young men sitting at the next table immediately spoke up, even whistling.

Originally, some eager onlookers changed their expressions slightly upon seeing the attire of those young men, then sat back down without a word, though their eyes still lingered on the boy.

The youth ignored them, and the atmosphere among the nearby group darkened. One of them stood and walked over, “Hey, don’t refuse the wine we offer and then drink the penalty wine. Do you know who we are? Such ingratitude.”

The handsome boy’s expression turned ugly in an instant. Crossing his arms, he looked at the approaching young man with disdain, “Shut up, you sound like a pig. Who do you think you are? Ugly and stinky—stay away from me.”

His sharp, merciless words contrasted starkly with his dreamlike appearance. The young man’s face immediately darkened as he strode forward to grab the boy, “You trash! You have no shame!”

“Let go of me! You idiot! I said let go!” The boy cursed and struggled, but his slender frame was no match for the burly youth and he was about to be dragged away.

Su Yeming couldn’t bear to watch. Though he didn’t know the boy and found the situation absurd and surreal, as someone with a sense of justice, he intervened.

He couldn’t just stand by and watch the boy be taken away—these young men were clearly trouble.

He stood up and firmly pushed the youth away, pulling out his phone. “I’ve called the police. I suggest you let go quickly.”

The youth laughed loudly, “Call the police? Hahaha, do you think that’ll help? This is Yokohama, do you know who I am? I’m a member of the port’s underworld.”

Su Yeming’s expression remained unchanged. It seemed the Yokohama he’d come across this time had evolved; the underworld here was no longer afraid of the police.

Seizing the opportunity, the boy shook off the youth’s hand and hid behind Su Yeming, rolling up his sleeves to reveal bright red claw marks on his arms, pitifully accusing, “He hurt me, see, it’s all red. You have to help me teach him a lesson.”

Su Yeming thought: …I really don’t know you, kid!

The boy’s intimate demeanor and coquettish tone made the youth, who had not taken Su Yeming seriously, scowl. He scrutinized Su Yeming with suspicion, a hint of jealousy hidden in his eyes.

“What’s your relationship?”

“Strangers.” Su Yeming made his position clear. He was just a passerby with a sense of justice, unwilling to get involved with the underworld or this mysterious, strange boy.

The boy widened his eyes, looking both angry and hurt. The wail of sirens sounded, and Su Yeming breathed a sigh of relief. “The police are here. I was just helping to call them. You can explain everything to them yourselves.”

Without giving the boy a chance to speak, he strode past them towards the officers. After a brief exchange, the police allowed him to leave.

Behind, the boy stood in place with a cold expression, while the youth’s face remained sullen.

One of the officers, a young one who looked barely older than a teenager, was stunned by the boy’s striking appearance. When he came to his senses, a blush colored his cheeks.

“Hello, I need to take some details. Little brother, what’s your name?” The young officer cleared his throat nervously. The boy stood slender and upright, dressed in a school uniform—beautiful and youthful.

The boy glanced sideways at the young officer, his deep black eyes like fathomless whirlpools.

A faint smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I’m Tomie Tsuji.” His voice was clear and gentle. The young officer was momentarily distracted; Tomie must be the kind of campus idol girls admired—a figure both enviable and envied.

What happened afterward, Su Yeming did not know. He rather regretted not eating at that restaurant; the udon looked truly delicious.

After walking for a while, an izakaya came into view. It was already late, so Su Yeming decided to eat there. He glanced at his watch and stepped inside.

With skewered grilled chicken and sake, Su Yeming drank alone. He wasn’t much of a drinker and rarely drank with others. Compared to noisy crowds, he preferred solitude—something his passionate, party-loving father often sighed over.

A mother of air, a fiery father, the grounded earth sign he was, and a broken family.

During dinner, a minor incident occurred. Several men in black suits, clearly not to be trifled with, entered the establishment and spoke privately with the owner.

Su Yeming sat nearby and accidentally caught words like “unsafe,” “gunfight,” and “closing.” The owner’s expression turned solemn as he sincerely thanked the men and handed them a few bottles of liquor.

Finishing the last sip silently, Su Yeming seriously considered whether it was time to find a new job and leave Yokohama. The underworld’s presence here seemed rather strong.

After finishing his meal and drinks, slightly tipsy, Su Yeming—who often lost early in company drinking games—reached his front door. His hand paused as he saw someone standing there.

The early spring chill still bit harshly, yet the boy before him wore only a thin shirt. Su Yeming frowned slightly. Kids these days loved to show off; no weather justified such thin clothing.

The boy, standing quietly, noticed the newcomer behind him and slowly turned to face Su Yeming. “Uncle, you live here?” The high school-aged boy’s words caught Su Yeming off guard.

“It’s you. Why are you at my door? Did what happened before get settled?” Su Yeming didn’t correct the boy’s address. To him, they were mere strangers, unlikely ever to cross paths again.

He was a nine-to-five office worker with a peaceful life and mature mindset, worlds apart from this edgy, adolescent high schooler.

“Can’t I stay here? That’s too harsh.” The boy spread his hands innocently. “I was just curious and wanted to see, after all, your place looks really nice.”

His expression was wistful, those magically captivating black eyes looking at Su Yeming with hopeful longing. “So jealous of the person who lives here. If only I could step inside and take a look.”

“Hey, Uncle, since you didn’t treat me to eel rice, you owe me some compensation.”