Because Han Shuo was still recovering from Eric's brutal strike the night before, Master Fin had no intention of tormenting him further that day. After carefully bandaging the last of his wounds and confirming he was stable, Fin let him go with a gentle pat on the shoulder and a soft, "Rest well, Bryan. I'll need you for more tests soon."
Han Shuo felt a faint stir of heat at the touch, but he kept his foolish smile in place as he left the lab. His mind, however, was already racing ahead to the meeting behind the school building tonight—with Lian.
*That pretty little devil… he's definitely set something up to get back at me for the kiss and the kick. But tonight I'll turn the tables. I'll pin him down in whatever trap he's made, spread those slender legs, and claim that tight ass until he's moaning my name and begging for more.*
Just as Han Shuo was lost in those dark, possessive thoughts, he unknowingly arrived back at his warehouse. The moment he reached for the door, he spotted Carey and Borg cowering in front of it, faces still swollen and deformed from the beating he'd given them earlier.
Han Shuo's heart jumped. He scanned the surroundings quickly, wondering how many more were lying in ambush. When he saw no one else, he narrowed his eyes and stared at the two without a word, then slowly walked to the washing area, picked up a heavy rock, and laughed foolishly, "Do you still want to fight?"
Carey and Borg both shuddered at the sight of the rock. Carey hurriedly waved his hands, "Bryan, please let us go! We know we were wrong to offend you before. We won't dare anymore—please spare us!"
Borg, trembling, pulled two silver coins from his pocket and offered them with both hands. "Bryan, this is our sincerity. Please ask Master Fin to let us off. Our families are poor… we rely on these odd jobs to survive. Please!"
Han Shuo casually tossed the rock aside. The foolish look in his eyes faded, replaced by a calm, calculating gaze. He crossed his arms and looked down at the two kneeling boys.
After a long moment, he smiled faintly. "I don't want the silver coins."
Both boys glanced at each other, then back at Han Shuo. They dropped to one knee again, begging desperately.
Han Shuo helped them up with a smile. "I'll ask Master Fin to let you stay… if you agree to one condition. From now on, you two will handle all my errands and missions without complaint. Do that, and I won't cause you any more trouble."
Carey and Borg immediately agreed, faces filled with relief and fear. They knew Han Shuo's ruthless side now; they had no choice but to obey.
Satisfied, Han Shuo glanced at the darkening sky. "Good. I still have somewhere to be tonight—behind the school building. You two can leave. And remember: if you breathe a word about today, I'll make sure you can't even recognize your own faces."
The two nodded frantically and scurried away.
As Han Shuo headed toward the fake mountain behind the dark major building, Borg suddenly called back, "Bryan! When you get there, don't go near the fake mountain path. Lian told us to set up three traps—a rope snare, a pit, and a net. He said it was for testing summoned creatures, but… just be careful!"
Han Shuo paused, then smiled darkly. *So Lian prepared all that for me. Cute.*
He had Borg and Carey describe the exact locations of the traps in detail, then continued on his way, pretending to know nothing.
At the corner of the fake mountain, Lian hid in the shadows, a mischievous, vengeful smile on his pretty face. His soft golden hair caught the moonlight, and his slender, feminine frame was tense with excitement as he gripped the rope connected to the snare. *That damned Bryan… pretending to be crazy, scaring me, kicking my ass, stealing my first kiss. Tonight I'll make him pay.*
Lian watched Han Shuo approach, eyes sparkling. He waited for those two feet to step into the rope circle so he could yank it tight and drop the net.
Han Shuo walked forward slowly, looking left and right like a clueless fool. "Lian? Where are you? Come out, I have something to tell you."
"I'm here! Come closer—I have something to say too. If you don't, you're dead!" Lian hissed from behind the rock, voice sweet but laced with venom.
Han Shuo continued forward, one foot about to land in the snare—then suddenly stopped, calling out again, "Lian, where exactly are you hiding?"
Lian's heart nearly burst with frustration. The trap was inches from Han Shuo's foot. He almost pulled the rope anyway, but held back.
In that split second of hesitation, Han Shuo took two quick steps forward, completely bypassing the snare. He kept walking forward with that same dazed expression. "Lian, what the hell are you doing?"
Lian's plan had failed. Dejection washed over him. He cursed under his breath, then stepped out from behind the fake mountain, grumbling, "I'm here! Why are you so late?!"
Han Shuo turned, smiling innocently. "Oh, nothing. My back still hurt a bit, so I rested longer. Thanks for bandaging me earlier, Master Fin was very gentle."
Lian's cheeks flushed at the memory of their last encounter. He glared, but before he could retort—
*Crunch.*
Han Shuo's foot suddenly stepped on a hidden wooden plank. The pit trap opened beneath him. He let out a panicked yell and vanished into the dark hole with a loud thud, followed by pained groans.
"Haha! Damned Bryan, you finally fell for it!" Lian's pretty face lit up with triumphant glee. "See if I don't deal with you properly tonight! How dare you play the fool and bully me!"
He ran to the edge of the pit, rock in hand, ready to drop it on Han Shuo's head for revenge.
Suddenly, a strong hand shot up from the darkness and grabbed Lian's right ankle.
"Ah—?!" Lian yelped in shock, looking down to see Han Shuo's left hand gripping the edge of the pit, right hand locked around his ankle, and a wicked, hungry smile on his face.
"Come down with me," Han Shuo laughed darkly.
He yanked hard.
Lian screamed, arms flailing, and tumbled straight into the pit, landing right on top of Han Shuo in a tangle of limbs.
Their bodies pressed together in the narrow, dark space—Lian's slender, feminine frame flush against Han Shuo's newly strengthened chest. Han Shuo's hands instinctively gripped those soft, perky buttocks he'd kicked and rubbed before, holding the pretty boy firmly in place.
Lian's beautiful eyes widened in panic and dawning realization. His face burned crimson as he felt Han Shuo's hard, insistent heat pressing against him through their clothes.
"Bryan… you—!" Lian's voice cracked, equal parts fury and flustered heat.
Han Shuo's dark smile widened in the shadows.
*Finally. Time to pin you down and make you mine, pretty Lian.*