As the wooden door of the bakery café opens, it was accompanied by the soft sound of bells chiming.

From the corner of his eyes, Ethan saw the two entering and approaching them.

​​

Lillie's back was facing the entrance, but when she noticed Ethan's gaze flicked behind her, she glanced over her shoulder to have a look at what caught his attention.

"Gab, Ah Fei." She warmly addressed their younger siblings as they stopped by their table. "How's your date?"

Their table only had two seats, but Ethan stood up to give up his for them. Lillie scooted a little so he could sit with her.

Fortunately, the chairs were wide enough for two people to share.

Gabriel and Li Yifei gratefully took the seat.

"It was great, sister-in-law! We visited some places we didn't get to explore yesterday, ate street foods at Chanzui District again, went shop hopping, then took lots of photos! We even had our portrait done." Li Yifei excitedly delivered her tale, pulling up a paper bag with a similar design as the one she and Ethan have.

"What about you, sister-in-law, brother?"

"Similar to yours, mostly." Lillie smiled.

"It was great," Ethan curtly replied, before grumbling under his breath, "until you two showed up."

Lillie heard him and ultimately pinched his thigh warningly.

"It's getting late now and we're about to head back to the villa after this. Are you two planning to visit more places?"

However, Lillie has an inkling feeling that these two already have something planned.

"Well..." Li Yifei sheepishly drawled, practically confirming Lillie's suspicion.

"We're curious about the tournament, sis. Did you organized it?" Gabriel asked quietly.

"It was She Gu who set it up without permission." Lillie straightforwardly replied.

Gabriel and Li Yifei's eyes widen, visibly affronted when they heard this.

"That bastard?! Who gave him the guts?!" Gabriel hissed quietly, restraining himself from exploding in a fit of rage.

"I'm about to find out soon. But more importantly, you two aren't thinking of taking a look, are you?" Lillie shot them a pointed look.

Although the two are experts in keeping their faces neutral in an uncomfortable situation, they couldn't hide the nervousness of being caught redhanded by their elder siblings.

Sighing, Lillie said, "That place will soon be rendered into bloody carnage. You two should know."

"It is the price to pay for tampering with someone else's property. Yes, we know." Gabriel looked downcast.

"My men will raid the place soon and will kill all the ones responsible. And sadly, the probability of collaterals from the crossfire is high."

Gabriel and Li Yifei didn't refute. They understand that Lillie was just being worried about them.

They're slightly disappointed that they won't be able to watch the tournament, but they're also glad that they asked Lillie about this operation first.

If they haven't known that the tournament was set up without the landlady's permission, there was a high chance that they won't be able to get out unscathed.

No one would wish to get caught in a crossfire between two Underworld Leaders after all.

"We understand, sis. Fortunately, we consulted you first."

"A fight between two Underworld Leaders would've been disastrous. I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to hide whatever injury we might sustain from our parents." Li Yifei forced out an awkward laugh.

But her elder brother wasn't having it.

"Or we would probably receive a call from the hospital or police."

Li Yifei shrunk away from Ethan's chastising glare.

"Give us some credit, brother-in-law." Gabriel huffed in annoyance, feeling defensive for both his and Li Yifei's dignity.

"We're not brats who've just started to ride a bike without the training wheels. We've been on this risky ride for years, and we've survived the worst. Sure it would leave us injured, but we're not reckless as to expose ourselves."

"Enough." Lillie intervened before things get more heated. "Gabriel, we understand what you two are capable of, and you've made your point. But please understand that Ethan was just looking after you two."

Then she turned her head at Ethan. "As for you, although you have a good intention, you were being too harsh and doubtful of their strength."

The boys lowered their heads after being scolded.

"Bear this in mind, Gab, Ah Fei. The gravity may all not be the same, but a fight between Underworld Leaders could be worse than you think."

"We understand." The two younger siblings said with sincerity.

"Now, you boys, apologize to each other."

Ethan and Gabriel both stared at Lillie then at each other for a moment before relenting.

"I'm sorry, brother-in-law, for being a brat. And I'm also grateful for your concern for our wellbeing."

"I'm sorry for being harsh on you two."

Lillie nodded in satisfaction. She was also proud that her boys let go of their pride for a moment to own up to their mistakes.

"Now we're settled, do you two want something to eat before we head back? Our treat."

Gabriel and Li Yifei didn't shy away from Lillie's offer.

After indulging their appetites, the four left the quaint café. The streets were still busy and the air has turned chillier.

While they wait for a taxi at the side of the road, Lillie heard the familiar ringtone of her phone resonating from her clutch.

It was an unknown number. Lillie answered without speaking first.

[Shirozuku, it's me, Haruka.]

With that confirmation, Lillie replied, "Haruka, what is it?"

[There's been a reported sighting of Mochi in Fenhua City. My informants told me he entered a fighting tournament there to win the grand prize money.]

Lillie kept her cool composure. After all that talk and warning about the upcoming bloodbath that is to happen at the tournament, it seems like she'll have to adjust the plan a little.

"Your informants are quite late with that intel, Haruka. She Gu's behind that tournament and he didn't pay the fee. I'm sure you know what will happen next?"

She heard Haruka hissed and cursed.

[Sh*t! I'm sorry, Shirozaku! Did that ruin your plan?]

"Fortunately, no. I still have time to make some adjustments."

[Nevertheless, I'll take full responsibility. So please excuse my subordinates.] Haruka was bowing at a 90-degree angle on the other side of the line.

"It's fine, I understand. I know firsthand how elusive that man is. Thank you for your assistance, Haruka."

[Geez, no need to thank me—especially with this blunder. But no problem, glad I could help you, somehow.]

"I'll update you on what happens after."

[Thank you. Good luck in catching him!]

Ethan, Gabriel, and Yifei silently stood a few feet from Lillie as she engaged herself in what seemed to be a serious discussion with whoever it was on the phone.

They overheard her address the caller as Haruka. Gabriel and Yifei had never heard the name before—although Gabriel feels like he heard it from somewhere.

Ethan learned from Lillie that she asked Haruka's assistance to help them track down his former master, Mochi.

Her calling at this hour and from what he caught on from Lillie's side of the conversation, it must be about him.

Lillie ended her call with Haruka and made another one.

"There's been a slight change of plans."