Her Favorite

- Famous Chicken Bun Restaurant -

Alfred stared at the rounds of different flavored chicken buns in front of him. At the moment, the crease between his brows was never as deep. Looking to his left, Bryan sat leisurely with his legs crossed as if these buns weren't sitting there.

Swallowing a heavy gulp, Alfred broke the horrifying silence at the table. "Bryan, why did you order so much food? Not only that, all of these are chicken buns. We're only two stomachs. Are we having lunch with other people?"

"It's alright if we don't finish. The person I'm treating won't be here. You can order other dishes if you want." Looking to the empty seat next to him, Bryan's fist subconsciously tightened.

"Hmm? Is it Selina? I remember she loved eating chicken buns and would always drag you everywhere to try it." Taking a fresh bun from one of the bamboo steamers on the table, Alfred ripped it in half and blew on it.

"Mm. I said I would bring her here once I am back. She sounded so happy about it." The sorrow in his smile could not be any more evident. In front of Alfred, he could never conceal his emotions. After going through life and death situations together, they've learned to understand each other through the simplest expressions. Stuffing more food into his mouth, Alfred started placing various foods on Bryan's plate.

"Bro, there is so much food piled up. Eat up. If you argued with Selina and want to patch things up, food is her weakness. Compared to other girls out there, she is much easier to coax." Alfred continued chewing while focusing his attention on Bryan.

"Right, she's always easy to coax...but.." His voice faded away as the rest of his words were said to himself.. 'I might not have the chance to feed her anymore..'

While Bryan drowned in deep thought, Alfred worriedly observed by his side. 'Why does he look like this? Did I put pickles on his plate? Wait, there aren't even pickles in any of these dishes...Damn, he's in a terrible mood right now. I should give Selina a text to come over.'

Sneaking his phone under the table, he sent a message to Selina. "Selina~ Do you want to have some chicken buns? We have a lot here. Your brother purposely ordered a table of food for you. It'll be a waste if you don't come. [Grin] "

Ding

Lifting his head, he instantly recognized the flower silicon phone case in Bryan's hands. Bryan's eyes laid coldly at the text on the notification screen. Exhaling deeply, he put Selina's phone down on the empty plate next to his. Slowly, he peeled the paper away under the chicken buns and stacked it on the empty plate.

Rubbing his ears awkwardly, Alfred felt like he had crashed into an iceberg. Bryan didn't speak and continued putting Selina's favorites on the dish until it was full. This was his habit whenever they ate together. He would always take care of her first before taking food for himself. But right now...Selina wasn't here.

Alfred started having bad premonitions about this, but he didn't dare ask. Hesitantly, he stretched out his hand to pat Bryan's shoulder. Before he could ask what was wrong, their meal was interrupted by Peter's parents.

Ken greeted Bryan apologetically, "Bryan, it's been a while. Sorry for interrupting your meal."

Bryan's chopsticks stopped midway before he silently continued putting more food on the plate. As if the couple didn't exist in his eyes, he poured a cup of hot tea and placed it by the dish beside him.

As if they have expected the unwelcoming attitude, Ken pulled out an empty chair across the table for his wife.

"It's taken. If you're here to talk about business, then get to the point." In other words, he wanted them out of his sight.

Fanny didn't dare take the seat after hearing Bryan's warning voice. Perhaps the couple stood right below the area where the air conditioner was blowing strongly towards, their bodies froze in place.

"Bryan, nobody wanted to see the tragedy to happen. It was all an accident; a mistake. You've promised to indefinitely protect the Sin family, but now you removed the seal. Anyone could take our businesses and attack us from behind. You should separate business and personal reasons." Ken tried arguing sense into Bryan. With great difficulty, he managed to speak his thoughts.

Taking a chicken bun from the bamboo steamer closest to his range, Bryan ripped pieces of the outer layer and crushed it to sprinkles. "You've said enough? I'm giving you a chance to say whatever you have on your mind."

Alfred observed the situation and decided to stay out of it. The sleeping tiger had been awoken from his nap and his claws were slowly showing itself. Tossing the bun onto his own plate, Bryan smiled. "Looks like you're done. Then it is my turn to talk. Listen well because I won't have the patience to say it twice."

"If I take a blade and stab through your son's chest, then come to you and apologize... Would you calmly listen to me say it was an accident? That it was a mistake? If not, then don't bother negotiating with me. It's like saying your son jumped off the bridge, but it was really me who threw him off. It was an accident that I pushed him. It was my mistake. I'm sorry. How does this sound now? Does it prick your ears?"

Staring intently at the empty seat next to his own, Bryan cracked his knuckles. "Now, let's talk business. The original deal was for me to provide protection for Sin family for as long as your son keeps his word. What did he mention during the proposal? Ah. He promised her love, care and full trust. Exactly, which part of the promises have he done? None. So, what kind of bull are you guys taking me for? And now, tell me. How am I messing with business?"

Ken and Fanny lowered their heads guiltily. It was indeed as he just said. They really had no right to come over and ask him for protection again.

Wiping his fingers with a wet wipe, Bryan continued. "I don't want to put you two in a tight spot, but I can't swallow whatever people give me like an idiot. How about we make another trade? I won't activate the protection seal like the past, but I can leave my word for others to not make things hard on you guys."

He offered with a small pause between his words. "In exchange, I want you to hand someone over. What do you say?"

"Who?" Ken fearfully asked. He crossed his fingers hoping it was not Peter he had to hand over to him.

"Shirley Han."