Chapter 2: The Rescue (2)

Killing had become numb for Lin Fan; back in the days with the Falcon Special Forces, he had lost count of how many lives he’d taken during missions, earning him the nickname “Death.”

The middle-aged man, seeing his two subordinates felled in the blink of an eye, didn’t even bother to pull up his pants as he bolted for the door. Yet, he tripped on his own trouser leg, and luckily the “toothpick” that had risen earlier had shriveled in fright; otherwise, he might have tasted the life of a eunuch before dying. Even so, the fall left him in a bad way, his face bruised a deep, purple hue.

With his boss fleeing, the last bodyguard rushed desperately for the exit. Lin Fan wouldn’t give him the chance; he reached out, seized the guard’s wrist, and with brute force hoisted him from the floor. A harsh crack echoed—his life ended in Lin Fan’s grasp.

Witnessing this, the middle-aged man could no longer endure; he fell to his knees, sobbing and begging, “Big brother, boss, please, spare me! I swear, this is my first time—I’ll never dare again. I have an eighty-year-old mother and three-year-old children. If I die, they’re done for.”

A close look would reveal he’d lost control of his bladder and bowels, a far cry from the image of a big boss. He’d never imagined that the country bumpkin soldier before him could kill three of his men in an instant.

“Yes, sounds tough. Three-year-old children aren’t much trouble, but I’d like you to explain the eighty-year-old mother. Looking at you, you can’t be much older than thirty. So your mother, at fifty, managed to give birth to you? Damn, do you think I grew up being lied to?” Lin Fan’s voice was cold as he barked the last words, murder flashing in his eyes.

Without waiting for an explanation, Lin Fan clenched his throat, tightening his grip. The man struggled desperately, terror filling his eyes. A cold smile played on Lin Fan’s lips, and with a crisp snap, he ended the man’s life.

Lin Fan glanced at the young man he’d struck at the temple; lying on the floor, he was barely breathing—clearly wouldn’t last much longer.

He walked to the sofa and cast his eyes over the unconscious woman. Her figure was remarkably alluring; in ancient times, she might have been a femme fatale who brought nations to ruin. Afraid of what might happen if he stared too long, Lin Fan sighed, hurriedly draped some clothes over her, and carried her out.

On the yacht, he naturally had his own cabin. Standing by the window, cigarette in hand, Lin Fan frowned, searching his memory for any recollection of the girl. The reason he’d saved her was largely because of that single glance she’d given him. Now, examining her lying on the bed, she seemed so familiar, yet Lin Fan couldn't recall when he’d ever seen her.

Hearing movement on the bed, he knew without looking that the girl had woken. Lin Fan stubbed out his cigarette, picked up some food from the side, and turned to her.

“Did you save me? Are you—are you really not a bad person?” The girl wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, her voice timid.

Lin Fan smiled helplessly. “Do I look like a bad person to you?” He raised the food in his hand, meaning: if I were a bad guy, would I have brought you here and prepared food for you? Besides, even if I were bad, do you think I’d admit it?

The girl bit her lip and asked, “Where are those men?”

Lin Fan understood she meant the middle-aged man and his bodyguards. He replied directly, “The ones who tried to hurt you have been dealt with. Eat something first; we’ll reach City T tomorrow morning.”

She took the food, but her eyes stayed fixed on Lin Fan, as if weighing the truth of his words.

“I’m hardly handsome—why do you keep staring at me? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me at first sight?” Lin Fan felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze, a mischievous smile curling at his lips.

She was startled by his words, her face flushing red as she quickly lowered her head. She already knew Lin Fan wasn’t a bad person; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to save her. In fact, from the first moment she saw him, he reminded her of a childhood friend. This not-so-handsome young man was oddly appealing—there was a certain roguish charm to him. That’s why she kept gazing at him, only to be teased by Lin Fan.

Seeing her fall silent, Lin Fan shrugged and turned on the television. The local news was airing from City T. A middle-aged woman holding a microphone spoke, “Hello, everyone. I’m Han Hong, a reporter from City T Television. Here is an important update: early this morning, a middle-aged male body was discovered in a park in the southern district. He was around forty-five years old, suffered eight stab wounds, and died from excessive blood loss. Here is a photo of the deceased. If you have any information, please contact the station or the police.”

The following news was about the city’s economic development, but Lin Fan couldn’t focus. He recognized the man who’d been reported dead—Su Zhennan, his father’s close friend and Lin Fan’s godfather. Though Lin Fan hadn’t returned home in nine years, he remembered Su Zhennan well; the man had been exceptionally kind to him, and Lin Fan had grown up as childhood companions with Su Zhennan’s daughter, the two as close as siblings.

Lin Fan’s secret return home had been to ask Su Zhennan if he knew the reason behind his parents’ murder. Now, with Su Zhennan’s sudden death, Lin Fan felt not only a pang of sadness but a surge of rage. Su Zhennan had always treated him as his own son. Despite not seeing him for years, Lin Fan would never forget his kindness, especially given Su Zhennan’s friendship with his father. He had to get to the bottom of this matter, for both sentiment and duty.

That was Lin Fan's way—if someone was sincere with him, he would go to any lengths to protect them, whether family or brotherhood.

In the past, Lin Fan might not have been able to do all this, but now, as the leader of Dragon Soul Mercenary Group, he was a legend in the mercenary world. Two years ago, after becoming captain, Dragon Soul expanded rapidly. A year ago, they toppled Snow Leopard, once the king of mercenaries, and claimed dominance over international mercenary circles. Lin Fan was no longer the naive soldier he’d been four years ago. Now, with a single command, Dragon Soul could stir up a storm across China.

“Dad—that’s—my dad. No, it can’t be true. We just spoke on the phone yesterday! How could this happen?” Lin Fan was pondering how to start his investigation in City T when he heard the girl behind him wailing.

He froze, stunned. A storm surged in his heart—his godfather was the girl's father. That meant she was—Su Fei. In an instant, Lin Fan remembered; the girl before him was his childhood friend. No wonder she’d seemed so familiar at first glance.

After his parents were killed, Lin Fan had been whisked straight into the Falcon Special Forces, never getting a chance to say goodbye to Su Fei, who was only ten at the time. Nine years had passed, and Su Fei had changed so much that Lin Fan hadn’t recognized her at first.

“Fei Fei, is that you?” Lin Fan turned and asked tentatively.

The girl stared at him, stunned into silence, tears halted, gazing at him in a daze.

“Because I’m your brother. I’ll always look after you, take care of you,” Lin Fan said suddenly, his eyes red.

The moment the words left his mouth, the girl threw herself into Lin Fan’s arms, sobbing, “Brother, you’re finally back! Where have you been all these years? Do you know I’ve been searching for you?”