Master Yu

The two men walked up to Lin Yu. The lean man glanced back at Zhao Dahu again, and after seeing Zhao Dahu nod in confirmation, the smile on his face grew even wider—so wide it was almost unsettling.

He extended his hand and said with a grin,

"Master Yu."

Master Yu?

A question mark popped up in Lin Yu's head.

Who was he calling that?

Me?

Damn!

That title sounded way cooler than "Brother Long," that lame nickname!

Though he felt a little thrill inside, Lin Yu kept his emotions perfectly in check, not letting a single trace of it show on his face. He reached out and shook the lean man’s hand, replying with self-awareness,

"Just call me Lin Yu. ‘Master Yu’ is way too much for me."

Thanks to his past life experience—where his martial arts school brothers had all ended up in the underworld—Lin Yu had some understanding of the title "Master."

It was an underworld honorific.

Usually reserved for high-ranking gang bosses or some truly formidable figures.

What kind of nobody was he to be called "Master"?

If not for the genuine look on the man’s face, Lin Yu might’ve thought he was being mocked.

After all, he wasn’t even part of the underworld!

Faced with Lin Yu’s refusal, the lean man just chuckled without explaining. He withdrew his hand and continued,

"Master Yu, my name is Zhao She. I’m Zhao Dahu’s older brother."

"We came to see you today for three things."

In the dead of winter, Zhao She rubbed his hands together for warmth as he spoke with a smile.

"The first thing,"

"Is to thank you for helping my little brother at school."

"I’ve heard all about it."

"Don’t blame him for being timid—it’s because of me. Our grandfather kept him on a tight leash."

"Really, thank you for this."

At this, Zhao She bowed deeply. Behind him, Zhao Dahu’s eyes reddened as he too bent forward in a bow. Every time their grandfather was mentioned, this nearly two-meter-tall man seemed to crumble into fragility.

"No need for thanks. It was nothing."

Lin Yu hurriedly helped Zhao She straighten up. Faced with someone who exuded such overwhelming pressure, he really didn’t dare accept such a gesture.

Zhao She rose with Lin Yu’s support, and Zhao Dahu stood up straight after him.

"As for the second thing,"

Here, Zhao She’s smile vanished. His expression turned solemn as he glanced back at Zhao Dahu. His voice was soft, but carried an edge that brooked no refusal.

"Kneel."

Without hesitation, Zhao Dahu dropped to his knees on the snow-covered ground with a thud.

"Hey—"

Before Lin Yu could tell Zhao Dahu to get up or help him, Zhao She also fell to his knees with a heavy thump.

Lin Yu had to change direction, reaching to lift Zhao She first.

But this time was different. Zhao She raised a hand to stop him, remaining kneeling in the snow as he looked up at Lin Yu and said,

"Master Yu, the second thing is to thank you for paying to bury our grandfather."

"Grandfather worked hard his whole life, lived honestly—but in his old age, he ended up with an unfilial grandson like me. He spent everything he had just to save my worthless life!"

"By the time he passed, he didn’t even have money for his own burial."

"Thanks to your kindness."

"This debt can never be repaid."

With that, Zhao She bent forward and kowtowed deeply. Behind him, Zhao Dahu also pressed his forehead into the thick snow.

"This…"

Lin Yu stared at the two kneeling men, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Please, stand up."

Lin Yu quickly bent to help Zhao She up while urging Zhao Dahu,

"Zhao Dahu, get up."

This time, Zhao She didn’t resist. He rose with Lin Yu’s support, and Zhao Dahu followed suit.

Once standing, Zhao She took a deep breath, steadying himself before rubbing his hands together again. His smile was still a little stiff as he said,

"As for the third thing, it’s just a small matter."

"I wanted to ask, Master Yu—how’s your relationship with Li Yuan, the boss of the Black Blood Gang?"

Watching Zhao She’s unsettling grin, Lin Yu wasn’t sure what he was getting at.

After a moment’s thought, he answered truthfully,

"Not great."

"Things have eased up recently, but that whole mess was just a misunderstanding."

Lin Yu was vague, but Zhao She seemed to understand perfectly. He nodded slowly, murmuring,

"That’s a relief."

Then he looked back at Lin Yu with a smile.

"Master Yu, let’s exchange contact info. If you ever need anything, just call me."

"..."

"Sure."

Lin Yu nodded without refusing. For some reason, he felt this guy was anything but ordinary. Maybe having his number would mean fewer troubles down the road…

After swapping details, the two prepared to leave.

Watching Zhao She’s retreating figure, Lin Yu suddenly remembered what Zhao Dahu had once hinted at—that his brother, Zhao She, had made an irreversible mistake.

What could that mistake have been?

Curiosity got the better of him. Lin Yu called out just as Zhao She was about to walk away.

When Zhao She turned back, puzzled, Lin Yu cautiously asked,

"Mind telling me what you were busy with before?"

"Nothing much."

Hunching slightly against the cold, Zhao She kept that eerie smile as he replied,

"I was in prison. Got out early for good behavior."

Lin Yu gave a mental nod. Prison made sense—otherwise, with how grateful he was, why wouldn’t he have taken care of his grandfather?

Hesitating briefly, Lin Yu pressed further.

"Mind sharing why?"

His tone was careful, probing. When Zhao She’s smile stiffened, Lin Yu quickly backtracked.

"Never mind if it’s too personal."

"Just my nosy nature talking."

Zhao She shook his head.

"Not a problem."

Then he grinned again—and weirdly enough, Lin Yu thought it looked almost shy this time.

Scratching his head like he was embarrassed, Zhao She admitted,

"Was young and stupid back then. Killed a few people."

"Luckily, I was young enough, and my grandfather sold everything to compensate the victims. That’s the only reason I’m still alive."

"..."

The air froze.

Now Lin Yu finally understood why he’d felt so much pressure around this guy.

Holy hell!

Now the pressure was even worse!

Maybe ignorance really was bliss.

Lin Yu!

When will you learn to curb your damn curiosity?!