1 Mate

"Ge! Guess what? I saw an ant earlier, and they were strong! Even though it's small, it could still carry a green bean. Isn't that adorable? I wish I could be strong like that when I grow up, just like you!" Four-year-old Gou Feng exclaimed, bursting through the office room and running straight to his elder brother's desk, his eyes shining with admiration and excitement.

His older brother remained silent, head bowed as he scribbled on sheets of paper surrounded by thick books, focused on his homework.

"A-Liang, did you go into the woods again? Didn't I tell you that it's dangerous? What if you encounter a wild animal or get lost? How would we find you?"

Gou Feng turned his back and looked at the other side of the desk. There, he saw his father, wearing his usual eyeglasses while writing something on a paper. His eyes grew dispirited as he heard his father's gentle yet firm voice.

No matter what, he never understood it. They always said those words to him, yet whenever he needed them, they would excuse themselves, saying they had to do this and do that, leaving him lonely.

His brother, too, had changed since turning eighteen. He no longer spent time with him and was always locked away in his room, immersed in books and what they called 'homework, which made him feel even more isolated.

The only source of comfort and entertainment for him was the woods. 

They consistently made surprising discoveries about plants and animals, which made him excited to wake up each day. However, even these joys are not acceptable to his parents.

Little Gou Feng's frustration and sadness were palpable. He frowned deeply, his lower lip trembling, tears welling in his eyes. Overwhelmed, he stomped his right foot on the floor with such force that it echoed through the room.

The sudden noise startled his father and elder brother, pulling their attention away from their task to see him standing there, face now wet with tears. His face was a portrait of despair, reflecting a deep loneliness and longing.

"A-Liang?" his brother called, standing up and planning to stride over to him. However, before he could get closer, Gou Feng immediately ran out of the office, sobbing. His elder brother, whose face was now filled with worry, immediately ran after him.

"Wait!" his brother shouted, grabbing him by the hand.

"Let go! Let go of me, I said!" Gou Feng firmly demands a voice that is thick with anger. But his elder brother, rather than releasing him, bent down, forcing him to meet his gaze directly.

"Tell brother what's wrong first, hm?"

Gou Feng remained silent, his tears streaming uncontrollably. Instead of answering, he clung to his elder brother, his body trembling with sobs.

"A-Liang!"

Startled by the loud screeching voice, Gou Feng immediately opened his eyes and saw that he was no longer sitting but lying in the car's back seat. Panic set in. He sprang up, unsheathing the gun hidden at his waist and pointing it forward, only to see Huan Zhan driving his car.

"Finally awake?"

"Why are you here?" Gou Feng asked, his voice dry and strained, a dull ache pulsing through his head. 

Huan Zhan's peek glances at him, relief written on his face.

"Well, I saw on the monitor that you hadn't moved from the previous location for five hours. So, I came to check on you. Only to find you unconscious in your car. Is everything all right?" 

"Yeah, just exhausted," Gou Feng answered, his voice softening as he caressed his aching head. He sank back with a sigh of relief, comforted by the presence of his best friend. 

"What about A-Jiu? What about your car?" he added before closing his eyes to rest some more. 

"Don't worry about it. I already contacted someone to drive it back home; as for A-Jiu, he's waiting at the usual place," Huan Zhen replied, and Gou Feng nodded, drifting back to sleep.

"You've arrived!" the woman called out eagerly from behind the counter, her gentle face lighting up with a hopeful smile. Her heart fluttered with excitement as the bells chimed above the glass door, each chime stirring the anticipation she'd held all day. 

She quickly raised her head, her smile widening as she expected to see a familiar face. But the moment her eyes landed on Hei Bao, the imposing figure of their superior, standing in the doorway, her smile faltered. Disappointment washed over her like cold water.

"Expecting Cheung Qi? Your fuck buddy?" Hei Bao's, his right brow arching in smug amusement. His words stung, and a wave of embarrassment flooded her face, making her shrink as he rose to her cheeks. 

She couldn't meet his gaze. The shame twisted in her chest, heavy and suffocating, as his piercing eyes seemed to bore right through her. Just by looking at her and the faint, unmistakable scent of his cousin still clinging to her skin, there was no doubt in his mind. He came across his cousin's newest toy again, caught in the tangled web of his manipulations. 

She stared at the computer, feeling anxiety and dread, her face rigid and pale, as if she had been caught red-handed. 

"Get me my usual coffee," he commanded with an air of authority that brooked no argument. The woman's hands trembled as she clicked through the menu list on the computer. Her voice wavered with nervousness as she asked, 

"Is there anything else-"

"That's all. I'll wait four minutes," Hei Bao cut her off abruptly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. He then turned on his heel and headed to his usual spot beside the mirror in the coffee shop, which was part of their company's business.

"Excuse me," the young man said, placing his order on the table.

Hei Bao glanced at him, and the boy bowed before leaving him peacefully in his space. 

Smelling the relaxing fragrance of the latte, he took the cup and carefully enjoyed the lukewarm feeling enveloping him as he sipped. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the boy who had delivered his order heading to the entrance door. 

The boy flipped the sign to 'Closed,' continuing the drill they have from the past, not letting anyone other than their pack leader inside the coffee shop. 

On days when everything seemed out of control, he felt overwhelmed; this coffee shop on the second floor of his office became his sanctuary. It was a refuge where he could retreat into quiet solitude, spend an hour calming his racing thoughts, and find a fleeting sense of peace.

However, today was different. Despite Hei Bao's efforts to push away the troubling events from earlier, they clung to his mind like a relentless leech, feeding his frustration. Each recollection seemed to twist his insides, heightening his irritation. 

Bearing his exasperation, he took a careless sip of his scalding-hot coffee, and the burn on his tongue was the last straw.

"Fuck!" The curse burst from him, raw and unrestrained, shattering the coffee shop's usual calm. His outburst reverberated through the room, causing everyone to flinch in surprise and gulp in unease.

After meeting a man named Hao Mingyu, the word 'Mate' was stuck in his mind, and he couldn't get rid of it. He was confused by the turmoil inside him, but one thing was clear. He hated it every bit. The feeling made him have an irrational urge to kill.

"Mate, are you kidding me? I've spent two hundred years searching, and now you casually use the word mate? I can't believe it. I just can't!" His voice erupted, causing everyone in the coffee shop to scramble into the kitchen, seeking cover. 

They had no idea what had triggered their leader's rage, but they knew they had to stay out of sight for their safety. Their pack leader, when angry, was ruthless and dangerous. They didn't want to get caught in his fury. Their lives were precious, and they valued them; they only have one, you know?

Hei Bao sighed heavily. He closed his eyes for a moment to regain his composure. When he opened them again, he was surprised to see one of his employees walking into the coffee shop carrying a stack of documents. The employee had somehow missed the prominent 'Closed' sign displayed outside.

The employee glanced around nervously, her confusion growing as she noticed the absence of staff. The intruder was none other than one of his younger cousin's toys, Chu Yan, who was already brimming with unease. Her anxiety was palpable as she spotted Hei Bao and stammered,

"D-director,"

The pack leader's eyes narrowed, his irritation evident. He looked at the employee with eyes that could cut through steel, then turned his attention back to his coffee, taking a slow, deliberate sip. 

The tension in the room was thick; it was clear that he was trying hard to maintain his composure. 

Chu Yan shuffled forward, her steps hesitant as she stood a few paces from Hei Bao. Her voice trembled as she asked,

"Director, do you know where everybody went? The coffee shop seems empty. Did they go out for a lunch break? Do the staff here have lunch breaks?"

Hei Bao placed the cup on the table with a thud. He fixed Chu Yan with a piercing stare, his expression as cold as ice.

"Tell me, if you see a place that was once bustling with people suddenly become deserted, what do you think happened?"

Seeing the coldness in his expression and hearing his words, laced with only one emotion, anger, Chu Yan froze, fear gripping her. 

'What did I do? Am I going to die?' the thought echoed in her mind, panic surging through her veins, her heart pounding violently. She could feel her hands trembling as a cold sweat crept across her skin, helplessness settling in like a heavyweight. 

"Are you all going to come out, or should I fire you?" Hei Bao's voice was a low, menacing growl as he rose to his full height. 

His fury was almost tangible, making the air in the room thick with tension, forcing the staff to step forward, their faces pale with dread, alongside Chu Yan, who was trying to show a composed expression.

Hei Bao watched her struggle and couldn't resist striding towards her, his imposing presence casting a shadow over her. Leaning in close, he hissed with cold intensity. 

"If you value your life so much, learn to read the sign next time."

With that, he strode out of the cafe. A sigh of relief immediately echoes inside, and some patrons collapse to the floor, their bodies shaking the release of pent-up tension. 

Finally able to breathe without fear, Chu Yan sank into one of the chairs, and put the account documents on the table, tears of relief flowing freely down her face. 

To be continued.