The Third Rebirth (REBIRTH)
In the following days, Ye Xiao often found himself staring at his legs in a daze, as if pondering whether they were really that short. Ling Chen noticed his little habit from the start but, being morally corrupt, pretended not to see it until Ye Xiao quietly approached him.
Ling Chen had just finished bathing in the lake and was stepping ashore with his camouflage pants loosely hanging from his muscular waist with a belt. His upper body was bare with water still dripping from his chest and abs. The wounds on his back had scabbed over, not hindering his display of physique in the slightest.
Ye Xiao's gaze lingered on Ling Chen's long legs that were encased in camouflage pants, as he followed him with his Long Blade in hand. After a few steps, Ling Chen finally asked, "What brings you to the Captain?"
Ye Xiao opened his mouth but no sound came out. He nodded somewhat uncomfortably, "Mm." Before he could speak, his ears turned red.
Ling Chen's conscience stirred, and he stopped before patiently asking, "What does our Little Fuzzball want to ask the Captain?" His tone softened considerably.
After much internal struggle, Ye Xiao hesitantly asked, "Captain, why are your legs so long?"
Ling Chen struggled to suppress his laughter—mustn't laugh, mustn't laugh, or Little Fuzzball would be embarrassed.
So, Ling Chen adopted the serious expression he used during military reports, "I eat a lot, so I grew tall with long legs."
Ye Xiao thought of Jiang Cancan, who was also quite tall, and it seemed to make sense. "I'll eat more," he said while looking down at his legs with a troubled expression, "to make my legs grow longer."
Ling Chen ruffled Ye Xiao's hair several times— ‘Little Fuzzball was just too damn cute!’
Back at the campsite, Jiang Cancan was humming a tune while preparing dinner. Hearing footsteps, he waved with a smile, "Chen Ge, Little friend, you're back?"
Ling Chen went into the vehicle to get dressed, while Ye Xiao greeted Jiang Cancan earnestly, "Yes, we're back."
Jiang Cancan picked out a piece of rib for Ye Xiao to taste, "Good, right? It's from the canned goods we brought from Chen Ge's house, said to be the luxury of canned foods and really expensive!"
Ye Xiao swallowed the meat, "It's good."
Ling Chen, now dressed, sat down beside Ye Xiao and instructed Jiang Cancan, "Give Ye Xiao a bit more meat."
Ye Xiao looked somewhat worried but didn't object to Ling Chen's words. Determined to grow long legs and shed the "short legs" label, he managed to finish half a helmet's worth of food.
After dinner, everyone was lazily lacking energy. Ling Chen spoke up, "According to plan, tomorrow we'll go buy weapons, and then we'll enter D Zone."
Their weapon stock was low, and this time entering D Zone wouldn't be like last time, where they could replenish supplies by looting. To ensure they had enough weapons, Ling Chen had even asked Jiang Mu to take a detour.
Jiang Cancan rested his chin on Jiang Mu's shoulder and looked at the map, "We're currently west of Zone Four, where the arms dealers are..." He widened his eyes, "No way, Chen Ge, are we going to get supplies from One-Eyed Old A?"
Ling Chen: "Any problem?"
Jiang Cancan thought their commander was really bold, always thinking what others wouldn't dare, "You personally shot One-Eyed Old A's godson! Think twice, buddy!"
"Oh, he doesn't know it was me who did it." Ling Chen waved his hand. "Besides Old A, we don't have any other options, so we'll just have to make do."
……..
Early the next morning, Ling Chen changed his clothes and got out of the car. Jiang Cancan whistled with a grin. Ye Xiao, who was practicing with his Long Blade, was so stunned that he almost stabbed his own hand.
Ling Chen was startled and quickly rushed over to grab Ye Xiao's wrist. He wanted to scold him but couldn't bring himself to do so, and just finally said, "Be careful to don't hurt yourself."
Ye Xiao was still staring at Ling Chen in a daze.
Jiang Cancan chimed in from the side, "Chen Ge, don't blame the little friend for being stunned. You're dressed way too flashy today!"
Ling Chen had swapped his camouflage pants and combat uniform for a white shirt, black trousers, and custom-made leather shoes. Over it, he wore a sleek black trench coat, and on his wrist was a watch more expensive than the entire Sabertooth Tiger vehicle. The most striking detail was the sapphire earring on his earlobe, which looked incredibly stylish.
With his good looks and well-built physique, once he shed the camouflage and cleaned up, he could easily pass as a top male model on a runway.
Ye Xiao had never seen Ling Chen dressed like this before. He stood there awkwardly while holding his Long Blade, unable to react for a while.
Ling Chen was very pleased with Ye Xiao's awestruck expression, but he couldn't show it. Instead, he pretended to ask casually, "Does the Captain look handsome?"
Ye Xiao nodded while still in a daze, and replied, "Handsome!" After saying that, he wanted to keep staring at Ling Chen but felt so shy that he just kept his eyes darting around.
Ling Chen smiled modestly, "I just threw something together before leaving the house, just in case. Didn't expect it to turn out this well."
After the modest remark, he got down to business, "Alright, let's go over the script. I'm a rich second-generation heir with money to burn, Xiao Mu is the assistant, Jian Lan is the bodyguard," he looked at Ye Xiao, "and Ye Xiao is the little darling."
The twins were too conspicuous, so Jiang Cancan didn't have a role and stayed behind to watch the car.
The car drove all the way to the outskirts, where Ling Chen got out with the others before naturally placing his arm around Ye Xiao's shoulder in a very intimate gesture.
Jiang Cancan leaned on the steering wheel and watched them leave, feeling that something was off. After some thought, it suddenly hit him— ‘Holy crap, this isn't about buying weapons, it's totally a date setup!’
"Red Lion" was an old casino located at the border between Zone 4 and D Zone, a lawless area where all sorts of people gathered. As soon as they walked in, Jian Lan recognized several wanted criminals.
As they stepped through the doors to the main hall, the noise hit them like a wave. The interior was lavishly decorated with gold and silver, almost blindingly so.
To the right were large gambling tables, each surrounded by one or two layers of people. To the left were smaller, quieter games.
Ling Chen fit right into this environment as he led the curious Ye Xiao to the bar with his arm still around him.
Jian Lan followed behind while whispering to Jiang Mu, "Finally getting to see this. My family was strict, so this is my first time in a casino!" Still, she maintained her bodyguard persona with her face cold and expressionless.
Behind the bar stood several scantily clad female bartenders. Ling Chen didn't spare them a second glance and instead turned to Ye Xiao to ask, "What would our Little Fuzzball like to drink?"
Ye Xiao had never had alcohol before. "I'll have whatever you're having."
Ling Chen rested his left hand on the bar with his fingertips lightly tapping the surface. "A bottle of Crimson Rose, throw a few rose petals in it, with ice." he said. As if performing a magic trick, a black card appeared between his fingers in an instant. "Charge this card, and please exchange a million in chips for me, with ten percent as your tip."
Ordering the most expensive drink and with his wristwatch that were worth more than a car, gleamed under the lights. Combined with the black card and the hefty tip, the female bartender's smile naturally turned flirtatious. "Certainly, please wait a moment, esteemed guest."
Soon, the drink was served with its crimson rose color strikingly beautiful. Ling Chen's fingers brushed against the glass, as if gauging its temperature.
With deep-set eyes and a straight nose bridge, his fierce aura was mostly subdued under the bar's suggestive lighting, exuding an air of decadence. Adding to this, Ye Xiao, wearing an oversized white shirt and nestled obediently in his arms with his skin as pale as a porcelain doll. Even if someone pointed at Ling Chen and claimed he was the Grand Commander of the Second Division, no one would believe it.
Ling Chen's slender fingers lifted the glass before swirling it gently, causing the ice cubes clinking against the sides. He asked Ye Xiao, "Want to try it?"
Ye Xiao nodded because he was curious about the taste of the drink.
Ling Chen carefully brought the glass to Ye Xiao's lips and speaking softly, "Just a little sip, too much will make you drunk."
Uncertain of how much "a little" was, Ye Xiao lowered his thick, dark lashes and extended his tongue to taste a bit of the deep red liquid. He smacked his lips and commented, "It's awful."
Ling Chen chuckled and took a sip from the same spot Ye Xiao had tasted.
Jian Lan, watching from behind, was astonished and muttered, "I've seen it all now, this acting deserves an award!"
Jiang Mu spoke slowly, "It's not acting, it's genuine affection."
Jian Lan: Xiao Mu always speaks with such wisdom.
The person exchanging the chips returned, and the female bartender smiled warmly, complimenting, "This gentleman is truly handsome."
Ling Chen playfully pinched Ye Xiao's delicate chin. "Yes, in my heart, he's the most beautiful."
Such straightforward praise, even though he knew it was part of the act, made Ye Xiao feel a bit overwhelmed. He hesitated for a moment then slightly lowered his head before burying his face in Ling Chen's chest, revealing only a hint of his jawline and his fair ears.
The bartender's smile turned suggestive as she pushed the chips toward Ling Chen. "You can take this gentleman to have some fun. Wishing you a pleasant time."
Ling Chen had Jiang Mu hold the chips and indeed took Ye Xiao to play. At each gambling table, they only stayed for one round.
But Ling Chen didn't play by himself but stood behind Ye Xiao and taught him how to gamble hand in hand. Even when they lost continuously, he didn't get upset, just smiled and moved to another table to continue spending money.
His behavior naturally drew attention. A man in a black tank top approached the bar and asked the bartender, "What's the deal with that guy?"
The bartender glanced in the direction he pointed and replied with a smile, "A very handsome young man and extremely generous one. The watch he's wearing is worth eight figures, genuine. This time, he's probably bringing his innocent, blank-slate lover to broaden his horizons by happily throwing money around."
Forty minutes later, the million in chips were gone. Maintaining his persona as a carefree playboy, Ling Chen whispered close to Ye Xiao's ear, "Was it fun? Are you happy?"
Ye Xiao nodded, "It's fun, I'm happy."
He had no concept of money. If it were Jiang Cancan, he would have been wailing and lamenting over the one million spent.
"Mm, as long as you're happy." Ling Chen said while half-embracing Ye Xiao as they returned to the bar.
The female bartender's gold dust at the corner of her eye sparkled under the light as she enthusiastically asked, "What can I do for you?"
Ling Chen pulled out a silver handgun from his coat pocket, "I want to buy goods from Old A."
Seeing the handgun, the bartender's smile remained unchanged, "What goods are you looking for, sir?"
Ling Chen casually smoothed Ye Xiao's hair with his tone relaxed, "I used to get my goods from 'Queen,' but now I can't find her, so I had to come to you."
Jian Lan, listening from behind, was amazed— ‘Their Chen Ge could spin such a tale!’
The mercenary group called Queen had been taken care of by them in D Zone, so of course, she couldn't be found. She glanced at the gun Ling Chen had taken out—it was indeed Queen's, but it had been looted.
The bartender looked at the markings under the gun's grip before confirming it was from Queen's stock, and her smile became more genuine. She directly asked, "How much do you want?"
Ling Chen tilted his chin up, looking arrogant, "Get your manager. Tell him there's a big deal."
Ten minutes later, Ling Chen and his group were escorted to the second floor.
Separated from the noisy gamblers in the hall, the second floor was very quiet.
The floor was covered with a thick carpet that absorbed all footsteps, and the wallpaper's subtle patterns exuded a luxurious aura under the dim light.
Following the bartender into a private room, she bowed and exited before closing the door behind her.
Ling Chen's hand never left Ye Xiao's waist as he led him to sit on the sofa.
Places like this usually had surveillance, and who knew how many people were watching them through the cameras. Jian Lan kept her mouth shut and fulfilled her role as a bodyguard.
She scanned the room twice and nodded to Ling Chen, "Boss, it's clear."
Ling Chen was holding a cup to feed Ye Xiao water, and responded with a soft "Mm," before gently coaxing Ye Xiao, "Be good, you'll have a new toy to play with soon."
After another twenty minutes, Ye Xiao lay on Ling Chen's lap and pretending to sleep, when the door opened from the outside.
A man with a missing piece of his ear walked in, followed by a young man and the bartender who had brought them up.
The bartender acted as the intermediary, "Brother G, this is the boss who wants to buy something."
The man called Brother G stepped forward and extended his hand to Ling Chen. Ling Chen, lounging lazily on the sofa, still covered Ye Xiao's ear with his right hand, "The little one's asleep, he'll wake if I move."
After saying that, he made a gesture. Jian Lan stepped forward and shook hands with Old G.
Old G's expression didn't change as he glanced at the sleeping Ye Xiao and asked Ling Chen, "What goods are you looking for, boss?"
Ling Chen was straightforward, "Whatever's fun. Money's not an issue." He pointed at Jiang Mu, "I'm not an expert, so this is my consultant to help me choose."
Jiang Mu, with black-framed glasses on his nose, fit the role of a consultant perfectly.
Old G had seen plenty of wealthy second-generation playboys who came to Red Lion to throw money around, whether out of hobby, a love for excitement, or pure competition.
Old G extended his hand, and the female bartender placed an electronic catalog in it. Ling Chen frowned upon seeing it, "I want to see the real thing. When I buy from the Queen, I always get to test the feel."
What kind of feel could you possibly test? Old G thought disdainfully, but he still replied, "Alright." He handed the catalog back and instructed the young man behind him, "Open it up for the boss to see."
The young man walked over to the wooden cabinet in the corner and opened the door, revealing a cabinet full of firearms.
Ling Chen's eyes lit up, "This is exciting, I like it." He turned to Jiang Mu and ordered, "Go pick some out and choose the expensive ones. Money's no object."
Jiang Mu nodded and got up to make his selection. Old G sat down on the sofa next to Ling Chen and struck up a conversation, "Amy mentioned that you used to get your goods from the Queen?"
Ling Chen nodded, "That's right. The Queen always has the latest stuff that's interesting. But something happened, and now I can't find her. I heard about Red Lion, so I thought I'd give it a try."
Old G lit a cigar and exhaled a cloud of smoke, "They took on a mission and went into D Zone. They haven't come back yet."
Ling Chen instinctively frowned—like most people, he didn't like hearing the term "D Zone", but he couldn't help being curious, "Isn't going into D Zone a death sentence? What are they doing there? On a mission?"
Old G chuckled, "Making money on the edge of a knife. Sooner or later, it's all death."
Ling Chen didn't press further, just smiled and absentmindedly rubbed Ye Xiao's earlobe.
Ye Xiao opened his eyes and sat up before leaning listlessly against Ling Chen's chest with his hand clutching the collar of Ling Chen's trench coat.
The room's lighting was dim, but in this light, Ye Xiao's skin appeared exceptionally pale, like fragile porcelain. His thick, dark eyelashes fluttered slightly, exuding a strange, fragile beauty.
Ling Chen glanced at Old G, "Excuse him, the little thing is quite clingy."
Old G waved his hand and complimented, "He's very beautiful."
Such a compliment was the highest form of flattery to the owner.
"Thank you." Ling Chen's smile grew even more pleased. He naturally knew what kind of relationship Old G assumed he had with Ye Xiao. After a moment's thought, he pulled Ye Xiao onto his lap and reached out to Jian Lan for an ordinary handgun, which he handed to Ye Xiao.
Ye Xiao took it and, like a child playing with building blocks, disassembled the handgun completely, then pieced it back together. With his somewhat youthful slimness and clean, delicate features, the deadly weapon in his hands truly became like a toy, devoid of any hint of violence.
For a moment, everyone in the room watched him clumsily disassemble the handgun.
After a while, Jiang Mu walked over, "Boss, I've made the selection."
Ling Chen didn't even ask and just simply pulled out a black card, "Let's settle the bill."
Three minutes later, the transaction was complete, and Old G beamed, "Pleasure doing business."
A fool with money and very easy to deal with.
Jiang Mu went to collect the goods first. Ling Chen stood up with Ye Xiao in his arms, "Of course, it's been a pleasure. Next time you have new stock, make sure to save some for me." Then he leaned down until his lips brushed Ye Xiao's hair, "Let's go, darling. Stop playing around and watch where you're going."
As the group walked out of the room, Old G walked alongside Ling Chen and invited, "Care to go down and play a few more rounds?"
Ling Chen didn't answer but instead turned to Ye Xiao and asked, "Do you want to play?"
Ye Xiao shook his head before speaking in a muffled voice, "No, I always lose."
Ling Chen casually patted Ye Xiao's waist a couple of times, coaxing him, "Alright, alright, if you don't want to play, then we won't."
As they reached the stairwell, a female bartender approached and whispered something to Old G. Ling Chen watched, and a sense of foreboding suddenly crept into his heart.
This premonition was correct; luck was indeed not on his side.
When Ling Chen saw the person standing in the lobby downstairs, he felt a chill—why was Harrison here?
Harrison, the leader of the second team of Holy Judgement, was someone he had encountered once before, and he was formidable in close combat.
With the weapons about to be transported out, there couldn't be any mishaps, or all their efforts would be in vain.
Ling Chen turned around with his back to the lobby, and asked Old G, "Can we get a room? The little one can't wait any longer." He casually slipped one hand into his pocket with his tone flippant as he whispered, "I gave him some medicine before we came out."
Ye Xiao, leaning against Ling Chen's chest, heard the words "gave him some medicine" and was puzzled—what medicine? But he remembered Ling Chen had told him earlier that if he didn't know how to act, he should just nuzzle against him. So Ye Xiao restlessly squirmed in Ling Chen's arms, effectively creating an air of impatience.
Old G gave a knowing smile and instructed the female bartender, "Take the guests upstairs."
Ling Chen nodded slightly, "Thanks." With that, he scooped Ye Xiao up in his arms and followed the bartender back upstairs.
Once inside the room and with the door closed, Ling Chen headed straight for the bathroom—there were no surveillance cameras there. The facade of the carefree playboy faded, and his sharp eyes gleamed as he opened the team's communication channel, speaking in a low voice, "I ran into Harrison in the lobby."
Jiang Cancan, waiting in the car, was shocked, "Holy Judgement and Red Lion have a blood feud, why would Harrison come to Red Lion? Is he here for us?"
"How the hell should I know?" Ling Chen asked Jiang Mu, "Has the stuff been moved out yet?"
Jiang Mu typed a reply, "It's already been transported out of Red Lion. The guy helping with the delivery is following, and I'm having him return now."
"Good." Ling Chen pondered for a couple of seconds, "Cancan, go meet up with Xiao Mu. After the stuff is secured, park the car at the predetermined spot. Ye Xiao, Jian Lan, and I will find a way to get out."
Just as the call ended, Ling Chen was thinking about how to proceed with the act when there was a knock at the door.
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