No Debts Owed

Many years ago, on a certain day, she was on a mission to assassinate a wealthy, powerful, and high-ranking individual.

She succeeded, but soon found herself surrounded by pursuers.

In her desperate escape, she plunged into a lake.

When the coast was clear and she was about to emerge from the water, a boy barely over ten years old happened to fall into the lake right beside her.

He clung tightly to her clothes, leaving her no choice but to drag him ashore with her.

Those who had seen her face could not be left alive.

Just as she prepared to kill him, someone approached. She watched them—and even heard them call his name: "Lin Xuan..."

The area was crowded.

To avoid unnecessary complications, she had no choice but to leave.

Later, she intended to return and finish the job, but Zhao Long sent her to Country Y to eliminate another target. That mission took her two months to complete. By then, the people of Yun City had failed to track her down, suggesting Lin Xuan hadn’t exposed her.

The matter of killing Lin Xuan was soon forgotten.

Yet, against all odds, they crossed paths again.

"I told you before—I was kidnapped and taken onto that ship. They were probably trying to smuggle me into the Golden Triangle," Lin Xuan attempted to open up to Su Hua. After all, they had no idea how long they’d be stranded here. If they could rely on each other, they might survive longer—maybe even hold out until rescue came.

Lin Xuan continued, "I refused. I’d rather die than become some woman’s plaything."

"But fate didn’t take my life. Now that I won’t be sold off to serve those women, I want to live properly again."

"By the way, how long have you been here?" he asked.

Su Hua remained silent.

Lin Xuan was used to her reticence. He went on, "Your family must be worried sick about your disappearance."

Su Hua’s eyelashes flickered slightly.

What did it matter to her whether they worried or not?

She had been back with the Su Family for two years now, and the only one who ever showed her any warmth was Old Master Su.

Yet even that failed to stir any emotion in her.

She still preferred solitude.

To her, familial bonds were nothing but burdens.

Lin Xuan let out a self-deprecating laugh. "No one would care if I disappeared. My family never did. They probably don’t even realize I’m gone."

"And..." His voice grew even more bitter, "if I never returned, they’d probably celebrate—finally free of the nuisance disrupting their perfect little family."

He knew they didn’t want him back in the Lin Family.

But they were his blood. He still longed for their acceptance.

Maybe he was just a glutton for punishment.

Su Hua glanced at him after hearing this.

The rabbit meat was still roasting. Lin Xuan washed some wild fruits and handed one to Su Hua. "Here, eat something."

Su Hua frowned, hesitated, but eventually took it.

Soon, the rabbit was ready, and the two shared the meal.

Lin Xuan sat on the grass, patting his full stomach.

This felt good.

Though the food was bland and barely palatable, having a full belly was enough for him.

Suddenly, Su Hua’s eyes snapped open, sharp and alert.

Her gaze locked onto something behind Lin Xuan, and in a flash, the small knife in her hand flew past him.

Lin Xuan heard a faint rustle ahead and turned just in time to see the blade hurtling toward him.

Lin Xuan: "!!!"

Holy shit!

Was this how he died?

He squeezed his eyes shut.

But after a long moment, he felt no pain.

Hadn’t she just tried to kill him? Why was everything so quiet?

Cautiously, he opened his eyes and scanned his surroundings—only to spot the knife embedded in the tree behind him, pinning a brightly colored snake to the bark.

Lin Xuan recognized it from pictures: highly venomous. A single bite without immediate medical attention would be fatal. And here, stranded on an island, death would be certain.

So… she had saved him.

"Thank you for saving my life," Lin Xuan said gratefully.

Su Hua finally spoke. "You saved me once. Now we’re even."

"From this moment on, we owe each other nothing."

She rose from the rock and walked away.

Lin Xuan grabbed the remaining fruits and hurried after her.

Su Hua halted, her icy glare freezing him in place.

Lin Xuan scratched his head awkwardly. "It’s just… there’s only the two of us on this island. Wouldn’t it be better to stick together?"

Of course, he was the one clinging to her.

He couldn’t hunt.

Left to his own devices, he’d have to survive on wild fruits—hardly a sustainable diet.

But she was skilled. With her, he could at least share in her catches.

Su Hua’s lips parted. "No need."

Lin Xuan swallowed hard and tried again. "A girl alone isn’t safe. I can protect you."

Su Hua looked at him.

And for the first time, Lin Xuan saw unmistakable disdain in her eyes.

Lin Xuan stiffened.

Alright, fair. He had zero combat skills—hell, he was practically useless. Malnourished from years of neglect in the Lin Family, he was weak as a kitten.

His offer of protection was laughable.

And given her hunting prowess, she clearly didn’t need him.

"At least let me help you with small tasks. You really should keep me around," he pressed.

Su Hua responded by drawing her gun and pressing the barrel against his temple.

"Leave. Or die." Her voice was glacial.

Lin Xuan had no choice. "Alright, I’m going."

Only then did she holster the weapon.

This time, Lin Xuan didn’t follow as she walked away.

But the island wasn’t large. He’d find her again easily.

"Cold as ice," Lin Xuan muttered, exhaling.

What had she endured to become so ruthless?

The next morning, Lin Xuan stretched and stepped out of his makeshift shelter—only to trip over something.

He looked down.

His eyes widened.

A wild chicken? An unconscious wild chicken?

Holy shit!

Was this luck?

Dinner was secured.

Lin Xuan happily roasted the bird, gathered more wild fruits and greens, and even managed to extract salt from seawater.

The day passed peacefully.

The following morning, another surprise awaited outside his shelter—a black rabbit, sprawled motionless on the ground.

On the third day, it was a large, unfamiliar bird.