How Ugly the Fireworks Are

The dark night sky was shattered by the explosion of a timed bomb, startling the entire city.

At that moment.

Countless people gazed at the sky in awe.

A child tugged at their mother's sleeve: "Mommy, mommy, look! Such an ugly firework."

Beneath the factory.

Over a dozen law enforcers lying in ambush wore grave expressions.

Thankfully, the bomb had detonated mid-air—otherwise, the blast would have reduced the entire factory to rubble.

Even at this distance, the law enforcers had barely escaped the shockwave.

Yan Zhi stared coldly at the sky and said, "Butcher is notoriously ruthless! You three, keep an eye on these guys. The rest of you, follow me up."

The law enforcers glanced at the detained Tiger Cannon, Blue Shark, and Wolf Eye, their hearts still trembling with disbelief.

These were infamous international assassins!

All three were Class A—and members of the notorious Paradise Organization!

To put it in perspective, the most ruthless killer Jiangbei City had ever seen was only a Class C.

Now, three Class A assassins were lying half-dead on the ground.

For the law enforcers, it was like picking up free kills—almost too easy.

"Those two guys… they're ridiculously strong. Freaks."

An older law enforcer shook his head in amazement.

Any one of these criminals would have sent shockwaves through the Imperial Law Enforcement Bureau, yet they had been taken down by two twenty-year-olds.

Just then, a luxury car screeched to a halt nearby.

The door flung open, and Qin Zhengwei stumbled out, his face pale with panic. He grabbed a law enforcer’s shoulder and shouted, "What happened?! Was that a bomb just now?!"

The law enforcer pointed at the sky. "It exploded mid-air. Took out a helicopter."

"Yao Yao!"

Qin Zhengwei, as if possessed, charged toward the factory.

The other law enforcers paled.

"Director Qin! Director Qin! The Paradise assassins are still up there—be careful!"

After the bomb’s shockwave passed.

The area where An Yi and Lin Chen had been standing took the brunt of the impact.

Once the echoes faded.

An Yi patted his chest, sighing in relief. "That scared the hell out of me. A few seconds later, and we’d have been toast."

Lin Chen, covered in blood, shakily crawled over and grabbed An Yi by the collar. "So, with just seconds left, you decided to throw the bomb at me?"

An Yi: "..."

"Lin, buddy! Don’t put it like that. We had perfect teamwork! I tossed you the bomb, you kicked it out—flawless!"

An Yi grinned sheepishly.

Lin Chen shot him a glare.

Three seconds.

Lin Chen was certain that if An Yi had thrown it just three seconds later.

That timed bomb would have painted his face with the brightest fireworks.

But in that moment, there had been no choice.

The wall beside Lin Chen had already been blasted open, revealing the sky—kicking the bomb out through that gap was the only option.

And Lin Chen, ever resourceful, had redirected it straight into the helicopter.

Butcher and his crew had reaped what they sowed.

"Cough, well, the outcome’s still good. Qin Yao’s safe and sound, right?"

An Yi flashed a grin.

Lin Chen glanced at him.

As much as he hated to admit it, An Yi’s help this time had been nothing short of heroic.

When he’d called for help, he hadn’t expected An Yi to actually come through.

But the moment he’d asked, An Yi had rushed over without hesitation, even enlisting his hacker friend to track down the factory’s location.

Then, side by side, they’d fought their way through, dismantling the bomb at the last possible second—An Yi hadn’t flinched, even in the face of death.

Slowly, An Yi’s image in Lin Chen’s mind grew taller, even earning the label of "righteous hero."

Qin Yao approached, her lips pressed together as she studied their wounds. "Are your injuries okay?"

"My waist got split open. Probably need a hospital stay. Ugh, medical bills are gonna be brutal."

An Yi sighed dramatically, subtly hinting at his current financial struggles.

"I’m fine..."

Lin Chen, drenched in blood, bore countless slashes across his upper body, still bleeding profusely.

Despite being the most injured of the three, his face remained stoic—I’m fine. No emotions here.

Qin Yao’s eyes welled up as she gently hugged them both, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you."

For once, Lin Chen’s gaze softened.

Though he usually scowled at Qin Yao, nitpicking and cold-shouldering her, deep down, he didn’t actually dislike her.

If he truly hated someone, he’d ignore them entirely—any further provocation would be a death wish.

But with Qin Yao, it wasn’t romantic. More like an older brother’s protectiveness.

Annoying as she was, always bickering and fighting with him, if danger came, he’d lay down his life for her.

Even Lin Chen himself found it strange—why did his cold, detached self dote on this girl so much?

"Silly girl, since when do you thank me?"

An Yi chuckled, ruffling Qin Yao’s hair.

Instantly.

Lin Chen’s face darkened again.

To Qin Yao, this lecherous, shameless playboy was the real danger here!

Crack!

"Goddammit! Why’d you twist my wrist?!"

"Back off. She’s my client. It’s my job to keep her safe."

"You bastard! I knew you were shady, you poker-faced jerk! Looking for a fight?!"

Qin Yao watched as the two, despite their grievous injuries, wrestled like kids, and couldn’t help but laugh.

"Can’t you two take a break? You’re both bleeding everywhere."

Suddenly, the factory doors burst open.

A squad of white-uniformed law enforcers stormed in.

"Mr. Qin, don’t go in—it’s dangerous!"

"Move! My daughter’s in there! If anything’s happened to her—!"

Qin Zhengwei, dressed in a suit, shoved past the law enforcers.

By now, Qin Yao was safe—though her arm, pierced by steel needles, dripped with blood, a heartbreaking sight.

Qin Zhengwei’s eyes reddened, his heart as if struck by a hammer. Tears welled up. "Yao Yao! I’m so sorry. I failed you."

"Dad!"

Qin Yao’s composure shattered. She sobbed uncontrollably in her father’s arms.

The scene was so touching even the hardened law enforcers blinked back tears.

"Well, my job here’s done. Don’t forget to wire the money."

An Yi smiled softly at the father-daughter reunion, then picked up an exquisitely crafted combat knife from the ground. He patted Lin Chen’s shoulder and strode off without another word.

"Thank you."

Lin Chen watched An Yi’s retreating figure, a faint smirk curling his lips.

Leaving after victory, without greed or attachment—true chivalry.

An Yi’s image in Lin Chen’s mind grew even nobler.

So, that perverted, shameless act was just a disguise all along.

Yet, An Yi’s footsteps as he walked away were strangely heavy.

That guy over there is a billionaire!

He might even be his future father-in-law!

Saving his daughter and doing such a huge favor—even if he just tosses them some spare change, it would guarantee him and Shen Muxuan a worry-free life, where they could blast the AC without a second thought!

But!

There are law enforcers here! That crazy woman Yan Zhi is definitely around too!

Even though Blue Shark and Tiger Cannon are killers and criminals, their current state is unknown. If this gets pinned on him, he might end up rotting in prison!

The best move is to slip away before anyone notices.

That damn Yan Zhi is such a pain in the ass!