Prologue

Prologue: The Final Game

The sharp crackle of tension filled the air as Gu Kaidè stood, his hands bound by the ropes that had been tied so tightly, his skin burned from the rough fibers. Before him, Bo Chen’s laughter echoed in the dim light of the abandoned warehouse. The tension was thick, each moment dragging like an eternity.

“You’re still standing, Mr. Gu? How quaint,” Bo Chen taunted, his smirk twisted with an unsettling mockery. “I almost admire you for keeping that cocky face, even as your life slips away.”

Gu Kaidè's eyes narrowed, but his gaze remained unwavering, even though his mind screamed in frustration. Shit! How could I have been so naive? To think I could trust him—this fool who calls himself a 'friend.' But even as the anger swirled in his gut, he knew this was just the beginning of his reckoning.

“Let me get this straight,” Gu Kaidè spoke, his voice calm and collected, “we had an agreement. I followed through on everything you asked, and now you’re just going to toss me aside like an old rag?”

Bo Chen’s grin faltered for a second, then returned. “You're a smart man, Kaidè, but you never were good at seeing things for what they truly are. We had a deal, yes. But deals are made to be broken—especially when they no longer serve me.” He clicked his tongue, the light catching the glint of the gun in his hand.

Gu Kaidè clenched his teeth. His heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't show it. He couldn't afford to. His mind raced with a million thoughts, all centered on one question: How long do I have?

"I know what you're thinking," Bo Chen continued, his voice almost sing-song. "You're wondering if I’ll spare you. What if you beg? What if you cry for mercy? But here’s the thing, Kaidè. I’m not in the mood for your desperation today. You've lost, and I’m done playing games."

Gu Kaidè tilted his head slightly, his voice dripping with disdain. "Do you really think I’ll beg for my life? You and I both know what kind of man I am. Let’s get this over with."

The words hung in the air between them like an unspoken challenge. But as the moment stretched on, a flicker of something in Bo Chen’s eyes betrayed him.

"Still acting like a hero," Bo Chen mocked, his lips curling into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "What about your son, Kaidè? Your adopted daughter, An Hua, don’t you think of them? How long do you think they'll survive without you?"

The mention of his family hit like a blade to the chest. Gu Kaidè’s grip tightened on the rope, his fingers stiff with the urge to break free. But he wouldn’t give Chen the satisfaction.

“You know nothing about them,” Gu muttered, his voice low but laced with venom. "You have no right to drag my family into this."

Bo Chen laughed, a cold, merciless sound. "Oh, I think I do. Have you forgotten, Kaidè? That’s why we’re here. You were never meant to live through this, not with the secrets you carry."

"Enough!" Gu Kaidè shouted, a surge of fury in his chest. His thoughts flashed to his son, the boy who had no idea of the dark world his father was entangled in. He thought of An Hua, the daughter he'd taken in as his own. They must be safe, he told himself. I can't let him destroy them.

Bo Chen noticed the shift in Gu’s expression, and his grin grew wider. "Ah, I see it now. You’re still trying to play the hero, Kaidè. Well, the curtain is about to fall on your little act."

Bo Chen gave a short, sharp signal to one of his men, who stepped forward, gun raised. But just as the man was about to pull the trigger, a massive bang shook the entire warehouse, reverberating through the rafters. A strange scent filled the air—something like smoke, but thicker, more acrid.

Bo Chen spun around, his eyes wild. “What the hell was that?” he growled, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun.

Before anyone could react, chaos erupted. A blaze suddenly roared to life in the far corner of the warehouse, licking the air with hungry flames. The fire spread faster than anyone could comprehend, racing across the rotting wood and flammable debris that littered the ground.

Bo Chen cursed loudly. “Gu Kaidè! Is this your doing?” His voice was a mix of fury and disbelief, but before he could act, Gu Kaidè moved.

In one swift motion, he snapped his arms apart, the ropes fraying under the pressure, and he kicked the gun out of Bo Chen’s hand. The shock on Bo’s face was palpable, but Gu Kaidè didn’t wait for him to react. He delivered a powerful strike to Bo’s chest, sending him sprawling backward into the flames.

The room devolved into pandemonium. Screams echoed as Bo Chen’s men scrambled to escape the fire, some tripping over crates and barrels, others coughing in the smoke-filled air. Gu Kaidè, injured but alive, staggered toward the nearest exit, his blood still seeping from the graze on his arm.

But just as he thought he might make it out, a sharp pain seared through his skull. Bo Chen had regained his footing, a heavy piece of wood raised high, and he struck Gu across the head with a sickening crack.

The world tilted, and Gu Kaidè crumpled to the floor, blood dripping from his wounds. Through the haze of pain, he saw Bo Chen raising the gun, preparing to finish what he’d started.

A shot rang out, but it wasn’t Bo Chen’s. The bullet missed Gu entirely, narrowly grazing his arm as the gunfire erupted in the distance.

The sound of an engine roared from outside, and within moments, a sleek black car screeched to a halt outside the warehouse. The doors flew open, and a figure emerged from the smoke.

Gu Kaidè’s heart surged with relief, but also with a pang of guilt. An Hua... he thought, his vision fading.

An Hua was there, as always, her eyes cold with determination. She moved with precision, her fingers brushing over her father’s bloodied form, ensuring he wouldn’t die—not while she was around.

“You’re lucky I came, old man,” An Hua said, her voice sharp but with a hint of affection.

“You always have to make it dramatic, don’t you?” Gu Kaidè managed a weak grin, feeling the weight of the potion she pressed to his lips. He drank it without question, the strange concoction burning as it slid down his throat.

The bleeding stopped almost immediately, and Gu Kaidè felt his strength returning, though his head still throbbed. He stood slowly, leaning on An Hua for support.

“Time to get out of here,” An Hua said, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You’re not dying on my watch. Not yet, anyway."

They made their way out of the burning warehouse, the flames still flickering ominously behind them. But as Gu Kaidè looked back at the inferno, he knew it was no accident. An Hua had made sure the fire would burn bright enough to create confusion, but not enough to destroy everything.

The fire began to die down, a controlled burn orchestrated with frightening precision. It was a warning, and perhaps a reminder.

“Sleep now,” An Hua whispered softly to her father. “You’ll be alright once you wake up.”

Gu Kaidè's eyelids fluttered, the world around him blurring into nothingness. He heard the roar of the engine again, felt the warmth of the embrace that had caught him just before he fell, and then... silence. Complete and utter silence.

But for once, it wasn’t the silence of defeat. It was the silence of a new beginning.

...**************** ****************...

Hello Readers🙋, welcome to my first story and first time writing. I have used Chinese names because it fits the story that I'm going for and my characters are named after my research so it's not just random names.

You will be able to understand them better as you continue on with the story and this is a work of fiction so my imagination will know no bounds. So do follow me and my characters filled with mystery, magic and some romances💖 (hmm I don't know🤔☺️).

...--------------------------------...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***