The men hardly dared breathe when Gu Yiâan said, âI know Iâm younger but Iâm totally fine with you calling me Grandfather...â
The man who made that particular comment was scared stiff. He never thought that Gu Yiâan would be this strong and that he could send someone flying across the room!
Gu Yiâan smirked. âI heard that you guys are pretty dissatisfied with me...â
âIâll give all of you a chance to challenge me now. Come at me altogether. Iâll have nothing else to say if the bunch of you can beat me, but youâd better keep your mouths shut otherwise. Or else Iâll show you what hell is!â
He watched the men, waiting for someone to come up for a challenge.
âHave all of you become retarded? You guys were talking big earlier. Afraid to take up my challenge now?â
The men started becoming restless at Gu Yiâanâs provocation.
We can just take up his challenge! Weâll just have to listen to him if we lose. Itâs an opportunity for us to test his abilities now!
Most of them had similar thoughts, and the entire group of them swarmed towards Gu Yiâan after seeing the first man go up to him.
Gu Yiâan was as quick as lightning.
Before they knew it, all of the men were already groaning in pain on the ground. With respect and fear apparent in their eyes, no one else dared challenge Gu Yiâan again.
Brute strength was what determined hierarchy in the criminal world.
Gu Yiâan looked like a giant as he stood against the bright ceiling lights, and this made the rookie subordinate stare at him in awe yet again.
âGet up!â
All the men seemed to jump to their feet immediately at Gu Yiâanâs sudden command.
âAll our effort to hide the items has gone down the drain. That guy already sensed something amiss. Are you guys waiting to be captured? Letâs move!â
The men went about moving the items right away while the rookie walked up to him and asked in genuine confusion, âBoss, did that guy really find us fishy?â
Gu Yiâan explained, âHe isnât an idiot. Heâs among their best. We might have been able to fool others, but itâs almost impossible to fool that guy. We canât tarry any longer. Itâs best if we leave as soon as possible. Weâre very close to the border anyway and Iâm very sure heâll notice something soon!â
This shocked the rookie yet again. Boss never fails to amaze me!
Gu Yiâan instructed the men to leave right after they were done packing, then he returned to the hotel on his own.
Compared to those artefacts, it was a lot easier for him to leave the country with only those paintings in hand.
The plan was to meet at Old Street at noon the next day after successfully crossing the border.
Gu Yiâan stayed in his hotel, patiently waiting for the news of their success.
The rookie texted him in about half an hour to report that they had finally cleared customs.
From the balcony, Gu Yiâan observed the warehouse they used earlier with a pair of binoculars, seeing Guan Zijueâs team kick the door open.
Gu Yiâan quickly texted the rookie and instructed the group to move as quickly as they could since the officers had already broken into the warehouse, and the group might be caught if they lingered too close to the border.
Gu Yiâan could see Guan Zijueâs expression very clearly through his binoculars, and the latter looked terrifying.
He heaved a sigh of relief at the fact that the artefacts were already sent out, because he did not want to face Guan Zijue like that.
At this point, Guan Zijue took out his phone, as if he was about to make a call.
He should be contacting the border police now.
Gu Yiâan then speed dialled Guan Zijue.
Gu Yiâan was one step ahead of Guan Zijue, and his phone started ringing right before he could make the call to the border police.
Seeing that it was Gu Yiâan calling, Guan Zijue picked up the phone after a moment of contemplation.
âHello!â
âWhat are you doing?â
âI was downstairs. Iâm about to go to sleep now.â
What a blatant lie! How could anyone be out and about at this hour!
âIs that so? Chat with me then, since youâre not yet asleep!â
âSure. Go ahead!â Guan Zijue sounded different on the phone. His voice had lost the edge it had when he spoke in the warehouse earlier.
Gu Yiâan did not expect him to sound so different.
âIâm bored. Itâs daytime in England now and Iâve got nothing to do. Can I come back and meet you?â, asked Gu Yiâan as he continued watching the figure through his binoculars.
Surprise was apparent on Guan Zijueâs face when he heard this.
âYou want to return?â
âYes!â Gu Yiâan answered right away.
âDidnât you just leave?â
âIâm worried about you. I donât know if youâre taking care of yourself without me around. You have to be extra careful especially when youâre in the military. How would you achieve your dreams if you donât recover well! I should supervise you strictly!â Gu Yiâan kept his eyes on Guan Zijue as he spoke, taking note of all the minute changes in his expression.
As he expected, Guan Zijue seemed taken aback by what he just said.
âLet me know before you come back.â
Gu Yiâan decided to tease him. âLet you know? Are you planning to come pick me up or is this so that you can send whatever woman away before I arrive at your place!â
âYou⦠Gu Yiâan...â Guan Zijue stuttered. âWhat are you talking about? I just want to know when youâre returning. Remember to notify me. Iâm planning to return to camp soon. What if Iâm not there when you arrive!â
Lies. Why doesnât he take good care of himself!
Gu Yiâan sighed. âOkay, okay. Iâll let you know. But as a doctor, Iâd like to remind you that you should be taking good care of yourself, or else there might be lingering side effects which would affect your health! I donât think youâd want that since it might affect your career in the military, so...â
âTake care of yourself, for me!â
This caused a huge ripple in Guan Zijueâs heart.
âFine! I promise that Iâll take good care of myself. You too, take care of yourself!â
âGot it! Itâs late now. Go rest.â
âMm...â Guan Zijue then heard the call being ended.
He was surprised at the fact that Gu Yiâan had just called him. Did he miss me that much?
The corner of his lips turned up slightly at the thought.
Gu Yiâan continued watching him through the binoculars, wondering to himself, Would I still have made the call if it wasnât to stall for time?
Gu Yiâan left on the very next day. He did not use facial prosthetics since he was quite a well-known artist, and he was able to pass through customs without any trouble.
Smiling, he thought, I guess itâs the celebrity effect.
When he left, he could make out the voices of some of the customs officers discussing his art pieces and how much his work could sell for.
Guan Zijue arrived at the customs checkpoint shortly after Gu Yiâan cleared it.
He heard one of the officers say, âThat artist looks very young, but he has the skills. One of his paintings is named Bloody?and Iâve seen it on the papers more than once!â
This stopped Guan Zijue in his tracks.
He walked up to the officer who spoke.
âWho were you referring to earlier?â
The officer was taken aback at Guan Zijueâs imposing aura and glanced at his shoulder mark.
What, a Major! Heâs so young!