Chapter 294: 10.35

"Thank you so much!" James Grind bowed deep as one customer left the restaurant. He wrote down the next customer who had queued to dine in.

"James, go clean the tables at the terrace!" Miguel, his boss, ordered.

"Yes, Uncle," James nodded and started cleaning the table at the terrace. It was already five in the evening, and his shift was about to end. He cracked his neck after a long day of work, "Ah, I want this to end soon."

Two months after that incident, Agent 69 James Grind was no longer an agent working under the Director. He resigned early and continued his life as a regular man. Though he got a considerable sum for his severance pay, he decided to get a normal job. He got a job in a pizzeria near his apartment.

James Grind changed his uniform and went to the Supermarket to buy his grocery. He checked on his list and bought all the vegetables, spices, and dairy he needed. But he felt being watched by someone. He thought it was just his feeling, but he could feel it clearly whenever he changed the aisle.

Feeling insecure, Yunyu asked Pupa:

[Is there someone following me? Is it one of my fan? I know that I'm very handsome and charming, but come on, don't be like this lah~]

[Pupa: It's Huang Shu.]

[Oh.]

James Grind, who was insecure a moment ago, finally relaxed again and continued his shopping. He hummed happily while ignoring the obvious person with a black hoodie following him from one aisle to another.

After he checked out his grocery, James Grind walked to his apartment alone, and Huang Shu got braver. Although he was a mafia lord, he didn't want to scare James Grind because James Grind became hostile whenever Huang Shu tried to send someone to take him back.

Huang Shu felt pain when he saw James Grind was working a regular job. But he couldn't buy that pizzeria like he used to. Because right now, Long Zhen was going full-on offence against him.

Long Zhen always tried to take down his mafia empire, probably out of spite after he caused the break up between him and James Grind.

But it was Long Zhen's own fault for falling into such an easy trap. He was not a loyal man either.

Or at least, he was not committed enough, unlike Huang Shu, who had stopped finding any woman or man after he met James Grind for the first time.

Huang Shu approached James Grind and followed him from behind until James Grind suddenly went to a park. Huang Shu followed James Grind and saw the man was crouching while feeding a stray cat in the park near his apartment.

Under the park lamp, Huang Shu could see the beautiful man he loved smiled while patting the kitten, "I'm sorry I cannot bring you to my apartment, Mewro. Because it is not allowed, but I will feed you every day until you are older, okay?"

The kitten meowed while eating the cat food and cat milk.

Huang Shu felt strangely familiar with this, as if he also saw the same thing in his past life. Unbeknownst to himself, his feet walked towards James Grind and crouched beside him. "I see that you like this kitten very much."

James Grind turned his head to the left and almost jumped out of fright. "M—Master Huang Shu! You scared me!" James Grind yelled.

Huang Shu smiled and patted the kitten gently, "I see that you like this kitten very much. Do you want to keep this kitten with us? You said your apartment does not allow a pet. Let's take him to my house, and we can live together there. What do you think?"

James Grind blinked few times, trying to process the proposal from Huang Shu. He smiled and shook his head, "Master Huang, you know I cannot do that."

"Why? Do you not like my mansion? We can always go to places that you want. I will buy a house whenever you want, and we can live together," Huang Shu proposed.

James Grind chuckled and shook his head, "That is not the problem, Master Huang."

James Grind fed the kitten a few more cat food before stood up. He patted his jeans and walked away. Huang Shu hurriedly followed him from behind and asked again, "Why? Do you need anything? Just tell me."

"Yes, I need you to stop following me, Master Huang. There is no use of you to keep tailing me for days. I've resigned and moved on from my life as an agent. All I want right now is to live in peace, perhaps finding a normal love, not with someone like you."

"But… but why can't you accept me? Do I lack something? Money? Is my bed skill not enough for you?" Huang Shu asked again and again, which infuriated James Grind.

James Grind sighed and shook his head. He continued walking and said, "That is not the answer. I just can't date you because we are not supposed to be together… at least not in this life."

[Uuuu… don't worry, Huang Shu baby, we will be together in the later world, hehe~]

[Pupa: How did you know that you are going to have a smooth life in a later world?]

[Wait, we are not gonna?]

[Pupa: I inquired about the plot of the next world, I can tell you now, but I would rather keep it myself because this plot is going to be one of the craziest dog blood plots you will ever see. What kind of powerful story do you think will make a master of the world literally jump out of his world only to chase you again?]

[Wait, what if my fans wouldn't like it?]

[Pupa: What fans?]

[… I don't know, just a hunch that I have a lot of fans out there.]

[Pupa: Well, if your overactive imagination is true, don't worry, this world has a lot of smut.]

[Okay then, never mind. They will definitely like it, solely because of my excellent acting skill and my beautiful face, Nyahahaha!]

[Pupa: I bet they like it because of the plot. They can replace you with cardboard, and nobody will notice.]

[Hey! That's an insult for a good actor like me!]

Huang Shu didn't give up. He continued on following James Grind and asked, "Is it because you still think of me as an evil mafia overlord? Jamie, unlike Long Zhen who cannot leave his life as mafia. If you want, I will discard all my life and continue as a normal person with you."

"… don't do that," James Grind refused.

"Jamie, I truly loved you. You might not understand this feeling, but I can sense it myself. That I've truly loved you for centuries. This feeling… were we a pair of lovers during ancient times?" Huang Shu recalled.

James Grind shook his head and walked faster, "You are just saying random stuff. Master Huang, please leave now. No matter how hard you try, I cannot be with you."

"Jamie… if you want to know, that Long Zhen bastard took away everything from me. He is so spiteful that he invaded everything I have. I may not survive long as a mafia lord after this, and I will only have you…"

James Grind halted his step. He stared at pitiful Huang Shu. Truthfully, had it not for his mission, Huang Shu might be better for him, although he didn't know the story between them in the previous life. But his lover in this world is Long Zhen, not Huang Shu.

James Grind shook his head and said, "You may live a good life as a good citizen, Master Huang. I know that you will still own many lands even after you have been dethroned from your position. But it is for the better."

"As for my answer, the answer is still no. Have a good day."

Huang Shu watched as James Grind walked away from him. He didn't follow him this time. Before James Grind walked too far, Huang Shu confronted with a question, "Is it because of Long Zhen? You still love him, right?"

James Grind paused for a moment and then decided to just walk away, "It is none of your business, Master Huang. Don't ever come to me again."

Huang Shu watched as James Grind finally left him for good. Huang Shu scoffed. His prediction was correct. James Grind truly loved Long Zhen. Even after such betrayal, he still found a way to be with him again.

Huang Shu chuckled mirthlessly, and his mirthless chuckle turned into a malicious laugh. Everything, even this familiar feeling for James Grind, would never be realized if that bastard was still alive.

Huang Shu swore in his heart, "I will kill you, Long Zhen."