C33 – Murder
“When you wear your new outfit, you look strikingly handsome. It could easily make thousands of girls swoon!”
Baldie exclaimed in admiration.
Yet, his comments were genuine. Loong Chen was naturally good-looking, but his usual attire often concealed his charm.
With this change in attire, Loong Chen’s attractiveness became more pronounced.
The infatuated gaze of the sales girl was proof enough.
Initially, the sales assistant perceived Loong Chen as rather plain. However, once he donned the new outfit, she was taken aback by his charm.
“Do you have an outfit suitable for a fifteen-year-old girl?” inquired Loong Chen.
He wanted to purchase a lovely dress for his sister, Loong Kui.
Ever since the disappearance of their parents, Loong Kui hadn’t had the pleasure of wearing a new dress.
“Yes.”
Without hesitation, Boss Baldie dashed into a room and emerged minutes later, slightly out of breath.
He held up a sky-blue dress.
“Do you believe your sister would appreciate this?”
With reverence, Baldie presented the dress to Loong Chen.
Upon inspecting the dress, Loong Chen’s initial impression was its elegance. Even without expertise in fashion, he recognized the dress’s value.
Like most, Loong Kui had an appreciation for beauty. Upon seeing the dress, she would undoubtedly adore it.
“Sir, this exquisite dress is the centerpiece of our collection, crafted by a renowned designer!”
The store assistant voiced with enthusiasm.
Such centerpiece items were often deemed priceless in stores. It wasn’t something easily sold.
Yet, on this occasion, Boss Baldie was willing to part with this special dress for someone else.
“As long as this master likes it, a mere skirt is nothing.”
Boss Baldie showed an indifferent expression.
Boss Baldie believed that if it meant pleasing a powerful individual like Loong Chen, he would willingly offer up his entire store, let alone a single dress.
“We’ve only crossed paths once. Is it really fitting for you to present me with such a precious gift?”
A hint of suspicion crossed Loong Chen’s face; he sensed ulterior motives in Baldie.
“Sir, as I’ve previously mentioned, this is a gesture to convey my apologies. Anything in this shop is yours to choose.”
“Furthermore, when gifting something to your sister, it should be nothing short of the best. Consider this dress a token of our newfound friendship. I hope you’ll accept it.”
A smile adorned Baldie’s features.
Loong Chen recognized Baldie’s attempts to curry favor, likely due to his own formidable prowess and the prospect of forging a bond.
While Loong Chen wasn’t particularly fond of such individuals, he bore no animosity towards them either.
In this post-apocalyptic era, might was right. Power not only granted strength but also stature.
Moving forward, he anticipated encountering many more eager to win his favor.
“Very well, I’ll accept.”
Given Loong Chen’s nature, he wasn’t one to shy away from genuine gestures.
Seeing Loong Chen receive the gift filled Baldie with elation, as it marked the start of a connection with someone so influential.
Baldie even began to count his previous encounter, where he had antagonized Loong Chen, as fortuitous. It led to their introduction and everything that followed.
“Master, if there’s anything else on your list, I know this place inside out. Allow me to assist.”
Baldie continued to be attentive.
“I still need to buy some furniture.”
After some contemplation, Loong Chen concluded that it was the right moment for a home makeover.
“Let’s head to the furniture city,” he said.
Without hesitation, Baldie was eager to lead Loong Chen out.
But just before exiting the apparel shop, Loong Chen shot a brief look at the sales assistant.
“She has an impressive approach to customer service.”
Baldie quickly grasped Loong Chen’s implicit message upon hearing that.
Turning to the salesgirl, Baldie addressed her.
“You’re Xue, aren’t you? Starting today, you’re in charge here.”
Xue was taken aback by Baldie’s proclamation, struggling to regain her composure.
The elevation was unexpected.
Even though her tenure at the store was brief, she found herself promoted.
And it was all a ripple effect of Loong Chen’s observation.
Without lingering on Xue’s reaction, the duo exited the apparel shop and set their course for the furniture city.
Interestingly, the distance between both stores was minimal—just a street separated them.
But as they were midway across the walkway, a car came hurtling in their direction.
“The target has appeared.”
Inside the car, a young man with a detached look softly communicated through a walkie-talkie.
“The boss wants it to look like an unintentional death.”
A monotone male voice responded from the other end of the walkie-talkie.
“Relax, it’s a minor issue for me,” responded the young man nonchalantly.
“Stay on your guard. The young fellow next to him might be an Evolver.”
The same monotone voice echoed from the walkie-talkie.
“Evolver? I’ve taken down many like them.”
A smirk of contempt formed on the young man’s face. He then pressed harder on the gas pedal, with Loong Chen and Baldie ahead.
The roar of the car’s engine broke the silence. Baldie, hearing the noise, quickly turned to see the car racing toward him.
It was evident the car had no intention of slowing down.
Panic surged through Baldie. Though he was superior to the average person, he remained human.
Faced with the oncoming car, he felt powerless, unable to evade.
The car closed the gap rapidly. Fearfully, Baldie shut his eyes.
But the expected pain never came. When he dared to look, he was met with astonishment.
Loong Chen stood protectively before him, holding back the car with a single hand.
Due to the momentum, the car’s rear lifted off the ground. The young driver’s face registered pure shock.
Given its speed, the car could’ve knocked down an elephant. Yet, this man managed to halt it using just one hand?
“Are you alright?”
At this moment, Loong Chen calmly asked Baldie.
“Thank you for saving me.”
Baldie felt a sudden chill, breaking into a cold sweat. He wasn’t naive and immediately recognized the approaching car was after him.
Were it not for Loong Chen’s intervention, Baldie might have met his end.
“Hold off on your gratitude. This isn’t over,” cautioned Loong Chen.
As his words settled, several muscular men armed with knives encircled them. The car’s door opened, and a young man emerged.
“Regardless of who you are, Baldie Qiang is our target. If you value your life, stay out of this. Otherwise, you’re courting danger.”
The youth spoke with a chilling tone. Having seen Loong Chen stop his vehicle single-handedly, he deduced Loong Chen was a formidable Evolver.
Uncertain he could defeat Loong Chen, he tried to persuade him first.
“What if I decide to step in?”
“Then be prepared to meet your end alongside him!”
The young man bellowed, a potent energy emanating from him. Indeed, he was an Evolver.
And not just any Evolver – he was a Level 2!
“Try me then,” challenged Loong Chen.
With a smirk, Loong Chen beckoned the young man with a curled index finger.
“Your end is near!” The youth hissed, stomping the ground, causing it to dent inwards.
He lunged at Loong Chen like a propelled arrow, brandishing a dagger.
Yet, Loong Chen remained unfazed. As the young man neared, a cruel grin painted his face. But just when his dagger was inches away from Loong Chen,
He was abruptly halted, suspended in mid-flight.