There's an old saying: Never set foot in a police station while you're alive, and avoid hell when you're dead.
Back in her student days, Cheng Yi had watched endless crime shows in English, with police stations being a frequent setting. Now, she found herself unexpectedly in a real-life police station.
Allen was barely able to stand after the beating, while the three Black assailants lay sprawled on the ground, not even twitching. Cheng Yi was terrified out of her mind, it was Ye Mingzhe who finally recounted the sequence of events to the police with calm composure.
The story went like this: Three men tried to harass a young woman in broad daylight, and a brave young man stepped in to protect her, but he was overpowered. That's when a "model citizen", passing by, stepped in to help, finally bringing the situation under control. Surprisingly, even the thugs, too battered to stand, nodded in agreement with this version.
Mr. Mingzhe Ye, the "model citizen," finished giving his statement, the attackers were put behind bars, and the drama seemed to conclude… for now.
But New York's police department, bustling as it was, wasn't so easily fooled. The loose end lay in Allen's glittering yet tumultuous past. No sooner had Cheng Yi helped Allen out of the station than a black sedan pulled up at the entrance, the driver was Ye Mingzhe. In the front seat, a man in a police uniform rolled down the window, waving Allen over with a knowing smile.
It was almost as if they'd orchestrated the whole thing.
Allen hesitated briefly, then pulling Cheng Yi into the car without a word.
Back at Mingzhe Ye's house, he asked Cheng Yi to run out and grab some food, leaving the men to "take care of business."
Despite his young age, Allen had been groomed by a criminal organization as a top-tier hacker, specializing in breaking into corporate systems and stealing data. Two years ago, he was caught by the cybercrime division during a sting operation while attempting to breach a major company's database. As a minor, he was made the scapegoat and ended up in juvenile detention, released just before Christmas. The officer behind that trap? None other than Ye Michael , also a distant cousin of Mingzhe's.
Lately, Ye Michael had caught wind that the criminal organization was ramping up activity, with plans to hack into personal credit card databases. They were reportedly trying to recruit Allen again. Rather than exposing Allen at the station, Ye Michael's intentions were clear: he would either ask for Allen's help or turn him into an informant.
In this battle of wits and wills, the young hacker was no match for the two seasoned men. Predictably, he was the first to lose his cool. All he said was that he wouldn't work for either side.
Ye Michael, however, made his point without missing a beat – the organization wanted Allen badly and would either recruit him or ruin him.
Allen loathed being blackmailed. At worst, he could just return to his old life. Being caught between cops and criminals was like dancing on the edge of a knife—one wrong move and he'd be lost forever. For a moment, the room fell silent.
But the former Wall Street banker wasn't one to give up easily. Ye Mingzhe quickly came up with a third option: Allen would work under a new alias, discreetly assisting the police in taking down the criminal group. Ye Michael would be the only contact, thus minimizing his risk. Plus, Allen would receive a special stipend from the precinct, giving him both security and a paycheck.
Allen was intrigued.
With money for food now secured, a practical question remained—where would he stay?
Allen tried to phrase it delicately: "So, where's the base going to be?"
Ye Michael glanced up at the ceiling thoughtfully and suggested with a casual smile:well, with our great-uncle in the hospital and my cousin's lack of income, wouldn't it be a fine idea for Allen to rent a room and help out with household expenses? You know, just a bit of family support.
What? Ye Mingzhe, once a high-flying Wall Street banker, had fallen so far?
"I'm not so broke that I need to live off rent."
Ye Michael realized he'd touched a nerve and swiftly changed the topic. Silence filled the room, heavy and awkward, until Cheng Yi returned, lugging two large pizza boxes and a grocery bag.
"The restaurant was shut down. Something about a health violation. I ended up getting pizzas from across the street."
Allen wasted no time tearing into the food. Mingzhe, however, eyed the pizzas with a hint of disdain. Noticing this, Ye Michael helpfully explained to Cheng Yi.
"He hates bell peppers."
A picky eater, forced to eat something he dislikes? Cheng Yi knew that feeling all too well.
"How about I make some noodles?"
"Now!"
Cheng Yi recalled the last time she'd checked his empty fridge and hesitated—was she just going to boil plain noodles again? But when she opened the fridge this time, she was stunned to find it fully stocked, even with a variety of noodles. She glanced over at Mingzhe, who sat with his arms crossed, lost in thought. Why order takeout when there's plenty of food? Why starve himself?
No time to wonder. She quickly got to work. Ten minutes later, a steaming bowl of noodles was ready. Mingzhe devoured it immediately, while MiGao watched the two 'foodies' with a bemused expression, before casting a glance at the busy Cheng Yi. Then, he made an announcement.
"That's settled then. Allen, you're Mingzhe's responsibility now."
He barely finished speaking before slipping out the door.
Fast runner!
After a hearty meal, Cheng Yi began treating Allen's wounds. For someone so fierce during a fight, he was incredibly whiny when it came to pain, wailing dramatically with every touch. Mingzhe shot him a disdainful look from the side. It took a long time to treat the external wounds, she hesitated over treating his internal injuries and shyly asked Mingzhe for help.
Without a word, Mingzhe fetched a few bottles and sent Allen into the other room. A few pained yelps later, the job was done. Yet even a healer cannot treat himself. She hesitated for a moment, then finally walked over to Mingzhe.
"You seem hurt as well."
Allen looked surprised and genuinely concerned; after all, the whole situation started because of him.
"Let me treat you."
"Just take care of yourself. I'm fine."
Allen stuck his tongue out, but Cheng Yi couldn't shake her worry. Ultimately, Mingzhe had saved her life.
"Please, let me help."
She took a bottle with a determined look, Mingzhe shrugged.
"Alright then."
He removed his shirt, revealing a long, dark bruise running from his shoulder down his back. Cheng Yi gasped, her heart constricting painfully. Hands trembling, she dabbed the ointment onto a cotton ball and began applying it gently, careful not to press too hard.
"You need to rub it in." he murmured.
At first, Cheng Yi made only light circles. Gradually, she increased the pressure, though it remained light. Each time she applied a little more force, Mingzhe's brow furrowed in pain. Tears welled up in her eyes, throat tightening with emotion.
Staying silent doesn't mean he's not in pain.
What a true man! Allen thought, his admiration growing as he watched silently from the side.
Mingzhe couldn't fathom why she was always on the verge of tears. It was just pain,what was there to cry about? People only had time to get emotional when they had nothing better to do. He needed to distract her.
"Lost your job?"
"Ah, yes…"
"Start tomorrow."
"Sorry?"
"Housekeeper. Mainly cooking."
Cheng Yi paused, considering his offer. Looking at their current situation, even if he didn't pay her, she ought to help out, given everything they'd done for her. Besides, what other options did she have? At least here, she'd get a meal.
"Thank you."
"Thank him." Mingzhe gestured towards Allen. "It's government money, anyway."
What a joke! I, Ye Mingzhe, relying on government money?