EHEWASS CHAPTER 96

Chapter 96: Ye Zeqian

Inside the range, Gao Zhen and his usual gang of friends were already gathered, smoking and drinking while they plotted how to make Xu Chaoyan look bad later.

“Gao Zhen,” someone said, “with your aim, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Another chimed in, “Exactly. That guy’s obviously just some pampered young master. I heard he came back from overseas? Bet he’s never even touched a gun before.”

“Piece of cake. You’ll wipe the floor with him.”

Victory was practically guaranteed.

“Not necessarily.” Qin Shun, who was on friendly terms with both sides, spoke up. “They say the crime rate’s high overseas, there’s no way he’s never handled a gun. What man could resist taking a few shots if given the chance?”

“Qin Shun, pick a side already.” Gao Zhen kicked the leg of his chair. “You all know how I treated Ye Zeqian.” He all but worshiped the man until he couldn’t hold it in anymore and cheated.

Apart from that, he was a perfect boyfriend. “If he’d treated me the way he kisses up to that Xu guy, would I have cheated? Hell no.” The only reason he’d gone out to play was because Ye Zeqian wouldn’t let him sleep with him.

Everyone here was a man; they all knew how it was. Who could stand dating someone you couldn’t even touch?

Even so, they privately agreed Gao Zhen had it coming.

“It’s already this late. Why hasn’t he shown up yet?” Gao Zhen frequently checked the time, face full of mockery. “Don’t tell me he’s scared?” If the man chickened out, fine. He’d just spread the word that Xu Chaoyan had backed out of a challenge. The humiliation alone would be worth it.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a tall figure appeared at the far end of the range. Who else could it be but Xu Chaoyan himself?

“He’s here,” Qin Shun said, sitting up straight. He got a good look and had to admit that this man was flawless. No random pretty face could compare.

No wonder Ye Zeqian had chosen him over Gao Zhen. It was only logical.

“Mr. Xu,” Gao Zhen greeted, walking up with measured poise. “Fresh from the office?”

“Yeah, left in a bit of a rush.” Li Dong smiled, his calm gaze sweeping over Gao Zhen and the pack of men behind him. “Gentlemen. You all here to watch me and Mr. Gao play with guns?”

For reasons no one could name, just one look from him made everyone shift awkwardly.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Xu.” They rose stiffly to return the greeting.

Li Dong’s smile deepened. Dressed sharply in a tailored suit, he carried an easy authority. “So? Where are the guns?”

Straight to the point. He didn’t sound like a novice at all. Gao Zhen’s confidence wavered. “You’re joking, Mr. Xu. What kind of shooting range doesn’t have guns?” He paused, then added, “Before we start, let’s agree on the stakes.”

“You came prepared,” Li Dong said easily. “You set the terms.”

The men around them exchanged looks. This one didn’t play defense, he was all dominance, through and through.

“Alright then,” Gao Zhen said. “You probably also know about matters between me and Ye Zeqian. Made quite an unpleasant noise and caused certain harm to my reputation as well. If If you lose, have Ye Zeqian apologize to me before all friends.”

“That’s not appropriate,” Li Dong said, frowning. “This match is between you and me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Gao Zhen said. “Without Ye Zeqian, you and I wouldn’t even have a reason to meet. Or can’t you make that call?”

“It’s not about whether I can,” Li Dong replied. “It’s about respect.”

“Chaoyan.” A new voice cut through the air. Everyone turned. Ye Zeqian and Zhang Buzhuo had just arrived. “Go ahead and bet with him,” Ye Zeqian said. “If you lose, I’ll apologize.”

His face was a mix of anger and humiliation. He hadn’t imagined Gao Zhen would drag this nonsense to Li Dong’s doorstep.

Whether they’d lose or not, Ye Zeqian hoped this matter would end quickly. Not involve any other people.

Apologies were nothing. There were worse things in life.

“You followed me?” Li Dong blinked in surprise. “Sorry. I planned to keep this from you for now, so I didn’t say anything earlier.”

Ye Zeqian looked even more embarrassed. “You don’t need to apologize, I should. I had Buzhuo follow your car.”

The discomfort written all over his face made it clear how guilty he felt.

“It’s fine,” Li Dong said, rubbing the back of Ye Zeqian’s head in a disarmingly intimate gesture.

The movement was so natural that no one doubted they were a real couple.

Zhang Buzhuo felt a stab of shame for his earlier suspicion. On the drive here, he’d wondered how Xu Chaoyan might react when found out, angry? distant?

Instead, the man apologized first.

“Gao Zhen,” Ye Zeqian said, stepping forward with his arms folded, standing between his current lover and his ex. “Here’s the deal. Win or lose, once this is over, we’re done. If either of us brings up the past again, he’s the grandson.”

“Fine by me,” Gao Zhen sneered. “Anyone who breaks their word is a damn grandson.” His gaze drifted over Ye Zeqian’s flawless face, still proud and still beautiful, but the thought of him being another man’s plaything erased all his lingering reverence.

Even if he had another shot someday, he wouldn’t treat Ye Zeqian like before.

“Enough talk.” Li Dong tugged Ye Zeqian behind him. “Stay put.”

Ye Zeqian opened his mouth. Just when everyone waited for him to explode, he actually truly stayed put obediently. Not at all that former difficult-to-handle type.

So the rumors were true. Ye Zeqian really did act different around Xu Chaoyan.

Moments later, the staff rolled out the weapons and ammunition.

First up: automatic rifles.

Li Dong picked one up, weighed it in his hands, and with terrifying speed, snapped it apart and reassembled it in seconds.

After that display, no one could pretend he’d never touched a gun.

“It’s been a while,” Li Dong said lightly. “A little rusty.”

Gao Zhen’s expression darkened. His own marksmanship was well-known, but even he couldn’t match that.

“I don’t do fancy tricks,” he said coolly, picking up a gun and forcefully chambering it. “But I shoot just fine.”

Li Dong watched him closely, his eyes following every movement from stance to trigger pull.

To be fair, Gao Zhen was decent, better than most hobbyists.

Unlike professional athletes, he shot rough and fast, emptying ten rounds in one breath.

The raw, showy bravado won him cheers before the results even came in.

“Nice one, Brother Zhen!” someone called.

Gao Zhen glanced at the score: eighty points out of a hundred. His lips curled. “That’s a first for this range. Must be my lucky day.”

“My turn?” Li Dong hefted the rifle, stepped into place, and fired off ten shots in one smooth burst bang, bang, bang. When the echo faded, he murmured, almost bored, “No thrill in a dead target.”

“…”

Every jaw in the room dropped.

Ten shots. Ten bullseyes.

A perfect hundred.

“F*ck.” Gao Zhen dropped his rifle with a clatter, his face dark as iron. “I’ll admit it. Today, I kicked steel.” He turned stiffly to Ye Zeqian. “Sorry.”

“When’s the banquet, then?” Li Dong asked, resting the rifle against his shoulder, one foot on the ammo crate. “You pouring tea for him when you apologize?”

“Banquet? Tea ceremony?” Gao Zhen’s mouth twitched. “You think your Ye Zeqian’s made of gold?” He’d already said sorry, wasn’t that enough?

“What the f*ck did you just say?” Li Dong raised the muzzle to Gao Zhen’s face. “Say it again. I dare you.”

He, Li Dong, in this lifetime most looked down on men who didn’t keep their word.

“Hey, hey, talk it out!” Qin Shun said. “No guns, come on. That’s illegal!” He didn’t think Li Dong would really pull the trigger.

Li Dong shot him a look. “Mind your own business. You open your mouth again, I’ll shoot you too.”

Qin Shun had never swallowed humiliation like this. He clamped his mouth shut.

“What’s this supposed to mean, Mr. Xu?” Gao Zhen demanded. “You think having money and power gives you the right to shoot whoever you want? You think we’re all vegetarians?”

“Lose like a man, Gao Zhen,” Li Dong said, narrowing his eyes. “Kicked a steel plate and want to retreat whole? Is there such a good thing?”

“Flowing banquet is impossible. Pouring tea to apologize even more impossible.” Gao Zhen snorted, truly believing the other dare won’t dare shoot.

Li Dong without another word threw the gun aside. Right, this gun he couldn’t fire, but didn’t mean he couldn’t vent this anger.

He grabbed Gao Zhen by the collar, slammed his forehead into him, then brought a knee up hard into the man’s gut. “That’s your banquet,” he said.

As Gao Zhen doubled over in pain, Li Dong swung an elbow straight down into his back. “And that’s your tea ceremony.”

Gao Zhen crumpled to the floor, groaning.

His friends only then snapped out of their daze, ready to rush in.

“Come on, then,” Li Dong said coldly. “Break an arm, break a leg, my family can afford the hospital bills.”

That cool, lethal confidence made even the bravest of them falter.

He looked immaculate in his suit, every inch the refined gentleman until you saw the fury simmering underneath.

Forget the people opposite stunned, Ye Zeqian and Zhang Buzuo were also stunned, completely not expecting Young Master Xu was this kind of person.

When no one dared move, Li Dong nudged the crumpled man with his foot. “From now on, if Zeqian and I have any disasters or illnesses, I’m f*cking blaming you.”

The group winced as one. Ruthless didn’t begin to cover it.

“Chaoyan.” Ye Zeqian came forward, catching his arm. “Enough. You’ve made your point. Don’t make this worse.”

“I know.” Li Dong took two steps back, eyes still on Gao Zhen sprawled like a dead dog on the floor.

He knew perfectly well this man had been harassing Ye Zeqian for weeks.

“Xu Chaoyan…” Gao Zhen gasped, clutching his stomach. “You’ve got guts… remember this, don’t let me catch you slipping.”

“That day’s never coming.” Li Dong grabbed Ye Zeqian’s wrist. “We’re leaving.”

“Buzhuo, let’s go.” Ye Zeqian stuck close to him, throwing his friend a quick wave.

“Thanks for driving him over,” Li Dong said to Zhang Buzhuo, raising a hand in easy camaraderie. There was a rogue charm about him that made even the onlookers nod in appreciation.

“Anytime,” Zhang Buzhuo said, shaking his hand. “You were incredible today. Left Zeqian completely starstruck.”

Now that was a real man.

Ye Zeqian glanced sideways at him. How many stories did this man still have hidden?

“That was nothing.” Li Dong chuckled. “Back when I was in the base, Gao Zhen was still drinking from a bottle.” The words slipped out before he could stop himself.

“President Xu?” Ye Zeqian asked, worried by his sudden pause.

Zhang Buzhuo sighed. “Are you two really a couple? One ‘President Xu,’ one ‘General Manager Ye,’ you sound like a business meeting.”

“You don’t get it. That’s called romance.” Li Dong pinched Ye Zeqian’s chin, eyes gleaming with mischief then lecherously kissing once. “Right, General Manager Ye?”

“Get lost.”

“Real lost or fake lost?” Li Dong teased, tilting his chin up again.

Ye Zeqian shot a look at Zhang Buzhuo, who immediately raised his hands. “Alright, I’m out. You two have fun.” He escaped before the pink bubbles in the air could suffocate him.

And then there were two.

Ye Zeqian slipped an arm around Li Dong’s neck, pressing their lips together with blazing intensity.

“You were… incredible just now…” His voice was hoarse, his body limp from the adrenaline rush.

Li Dong’s eyes darkened. “Let’s continue this in the car.”

“…Okay.” Ye Zeqian’s face flushed red.

Before he could say more, Li Dong scooped him up effortlessly.

That same decisive energy from earlier was still there, only this time, it burned hotter.

For all his slender build, Ye Zeqian wasn’t difficult to lift. In a blink, Li Dong had him in the passenger seat.

“Do you in the car, okay or not?” Li Dong murmured.

Ye Zeqian kicked him squarely. “You’re shameless.” That single word “do” had his ears burning.

“This shy?” Li Dong grinned. “Then we’ll wait till we’re home.”

“Yours or mine?” Ye Zeqian asked.

Li Dong paused mid-motion. He had to make one thing clear. “Zeqian, you married me, didn’t you?” Even if it’s two men on the certificate, it still says who’s the head of household. “You’re moving in.”

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Author’s Note:
【Morning~ I can’t wait to write the last world: a killer who falls for his prey and turns on his boss. I need something thrilling, my poor kidneys need the jolt.】

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