Chapter 36: Xu Yue's Decision

"Dad, you called. Did you maybe find some information about the shooting?"

Even though Xu Yue clearly wanted nothing but to continue their make-out session, Liu Ye's safety was the highest priority. They didn't hesitate to stop after a few more kisses and get down to Leader Xu's office after checking on Zhenzhen. 

Too bad, Leader Xu didn't look like he had any good news. 

"I called everyone I know and found out the truth," Leader Xu spoke deeply as he stared at both of them. 

He gave them both a look-over before focusing on Liu Ye. "Is there something you want to tell me?" 

"I have nothing to say, Sir," Liu Ye replied calmly. "We told everything we know already."

They had to omit that one detail or else Leader Xu would kick him out right away just to save himself trouble. Liu Ye already left them once so it wouldn't matter to them. Now that they had come so far, the situation was much different. Leader Xu rarely went back on his word and he already invited them to stay at their place. 

"Well, I discovered that this Master Yang is not after my daughter but instead, he is hunting you," Leader Xu revealed as he observed Liu Ye's reaction. 

"Me…?" Liu Ye feigned surprise. "Why would someone try to kill me? I'm nobody." 

Bang!

"That's what I said!" Leader Xu exclaimed as he hit his fist on the desk. "This whole thing doesn't make sense so I started digging deeper and eventually got in contact with Master Yang." 

"Oh, what does he want? I don't recall doing anything against him," Liu Ye questioned curiously. "Everything I did was at the Sir's command so…" 

"I know, right?!" Leader Xu nodded eagerly. "If it was something connected with us, why would they target you instead of me? The whole matter is too suspicious."

"Ugh," Leader Xu grunted in frustration as he continued, "I talked with this Master Yang but I didn't learn anything. All he did was propose 10 million for you and if I don't agree, he will offer the same to the bounty hunters so they can kill you. He didn't say anything else before hanging up." 

"Wow, the audacity," Xu Yue commented with a frown. "Did they really think they could blackmail us? They can come if they have a death wish." 

"That's exactly what I thought!" Leader Xu called out in a heated fury. "Does this bastard think I'm a pushover?! He even dared to give me only 24 hours to decide. I almost flipped my table when I heard it." 

"He seems too overconfident," Xu Yue pointed out. "When the news goes out that we sell our own people, who will want to work for us? He is simply trying to cripple our business." 

Pa!

Leader Xu slapped the table with a smile and nodded, "That's what I'm talking about. I wish people who doubt my choice of choosing you as a successor could hear that. How can I simply give my people away? Our business is all about respect." 

"Then what are you planning to do?" Xu Yue asked grimly. "Won't they try to hunt Liu Ye the moment he leaves the house?" 

Leader Xu sat down at her words and began rubbing his forehead. "That's what the bounty hunter I talked to told me as well. With so much money on the line, they will wait until he leaves and there might be some who try to break in. Our options are limited." 

He looked up at Liu Ye and added, "Either we refuse and kill that Master Yang before he kills Liu Ye, or we let them take him away and we keep 10 Million."

"Dad, the second one is not an option," Xu Yue replied sternly but her father ignored her.

"The decision should come from Liu Ye," Leader Xu announced as he stared into Liu Ye's eyes. "Are you fully back in the family and returning to your duties or are you not?" 

"Dad, he works for m—"

"Are you the one paying or is it me?!" Leader Xu snapped at Xu Yue as he cut her off. "Do you realize how much money I will have to spend? We don't even know where this Master Yang is. I wouldn't be surprised if it cost more than 20-30 Million to get him. Is Liu Ye's life worth so much money if he doesn't even belong to the family?" 

Xu Yue paused, thinking what to reply when Liu Ye stopped her and spoke for himself. 

"I understand my situation and I think it's fair," Liu Ye began calmly as he thought about all the scenarios in his head. "Before I say anything, I want to ask a question. How will the exchange happen?" 

"Liu—"

Xu Yue's eyes widened and she tried to stop him but he raised his finger to silence her. "Miss Xu, this is my decision so let me think for myself." 

"Master Yang will send someone over tomorrow morning with the money. The exchange would happen here," Leader Xu explained as he watched him curiously. 

"So Master Yang still didn't hire any bounty hunters, right?" Liu Ye asked to confirm his thoughts. 

"The official announcement on the black market still didn't show up but I heard many had already booked their tickets. They should arrive in our city by tomorrow," Leader Xu replied. "They are trying to be the first to hunt you so they can get the reward later." 

He then sighed and muttered, "I kind of knew you will favor the third option. If you leave tonight, you can still fly out of the country and find a hideout." 

"Nooo!" Xu Yue disagreed immediately as she grabbed onto Liu Ye's arms. "You are not leaving anywhere!"

"Xu Yue, this is the only logical option and I respect him for that," Leader Xu called out in a dominant tone. "It won't be smart to stay in the city where everyone is trying to kill you. He has a little sister to think about who will be in danger if he stays here." 

Xu Yue ignored her dad back while she stared deeply into Liu Ye's eyes. Her nails dug into his arms painfully but he didn't have a choice. 

"I hope you can take care of Zhenzhen for me," Liu Ye wished but Xu Yue shook his body as if she couldn't believe what he was saying. 

"Take it back," Xu Yue ordered as she banged her head against his chest and locked his arms with a hug. "You are not leaving anywhere. I have finally got you and you want to leave me? Not happening." 

Leader Xu frowned suspiciously, forcing Liu Ye to save the situation. 

"Miss Xu, it's not like I will not work for you. I will just take my gear with me and join you in the game as normal," Liu Ye explained as he tried to calm her down. "All that will change is my location. I will go into hiding where no one can find me but we will still be in contact. I just can't risk staying here for Zhenzhen and your safety." 

He slowly broke free from her grasp and held her wrists as he looked at her softly. "I'm not leaving you. We just need to separate for a short while."

She remained silent as she stared at him pitifully so he let go of her and glanced back at Leader Xu. 

"Of course, if that's okay with you, Sir. I hope my sister can stay here until I can safely return," Liu Ye suggested. "This way I'm showing I'm not leaving entirely and would still ask for assistance in my case." 

"That's only natural," Leader Xu nodded. "We will take good care of her. I will also try my best to track that man so we can solve this problem."

"Thank yo—" 

"Wait!" Xu Yue cut them off as she slammed her hands on her father's desk. "There is a fourth option!" 

Liu Ye and Leader Xu turned to look at her. 

"Master Yang will one of his men over with money? Why don't we steal his money and capture him instead? We should interrogate him and get his Master's location," Xu Yue proposed eagerly. "This way Liu Ye doesn't need to live like a fugitive and we can attack head-on just like Red Dragon Triad always did. There shouldn't be anyone who can make us withdraw. That's what you always taught me!" 

"Didn't I already suggest this option?" Leader Xu replied confused. "Liu Ye rejected it by not joining us." 

"I don't care if he is joining us or not. He is working for me so when that guy comes over tomorrow, I'm taking a gun and shooting him in the leg," Xu Yue decided firmly as she stared at her father's eyes. "You can decide to help me just like a leader would or you can do nothing and let me handle it. The choice is yours."

She didn't say anything else and simply grabbed Liu Ye's arm as she dragged him away. 

"Goodnight!"