Chapter 24 Part 2

Zhong Nian, however, found it hard to relax during this downtime. His heart raced with anxiety.

He didn’t dare take this game lightly or naively believe he could safely get through the next four days.

When lunchtime arrived, he had no more time for random thoughts.

What should have been easy work became exceptionally grueling.

“You free later? Can I invite you to eat together?”

“Where’s your hometown from? I thought you looked familiar last time—we must’ve met before.”

“Hey, there’s something on your face. It’s kinda pretty.”

“Country bumpkin, don’t block the way. Your tricks are outdated—get lost.”

“Heh, yours are so great? ‘Familiar’? Everyone knows you’re from some backwater village. Does she look like it?”

“No cutting!”

“You bumped me first, and you deliberately ruined the dried flowers I was gonna give Little Nian!”

…

Over thirty people argued noisily. The once orderly line devolved into chaos, with some even starting fights, turning it into a marketplace brawl.

Zhong Nian held the serving ladle, staring woodenly at the chaotic scene.

“If you’re not eating, I’ll take the pot away.”

At those words, the crowd, who had been shoving each other, shut up one by one as if hearing a command. They lined up properly, holding their plates high.

Someone in the middle tried their luck: “Little Nian, I…”

“Next.” Zhong Nian smiled and cut them off directly.

The line moved faster and faster. Twenty minutes later, Zhong Nian finished his shift smoothly.

He didn’t go to the casino to deliver meals, handing that task to Jie Wen. He preferred sweeping and mopping in the back kitchen.

But when Jie Wen returned, his expression was troubled as he relayed a message.

“The Kidnapper Boss said for you to wait for him at the bottom elevator.” Jie Wen looked anxious. “Do you have something going on with him? Or did I do something wrong earlier that upset him, and he’s taking it out on you?”

Zhong Nian was also surprised but didn’t show his inner unease. He smiled faintly. “It’ll be fine.”

After reassuring Jie Wen, before heading to the specified spot, he grabbed a piece of bread from the kitchen and nibbled on it en route—he hadn’t eaten lunch yet.

He’d thought he’d have to wait a bit, but as soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw the Black-Clothed Man, who had been waiting for some time.

Seeing him, the man said, “Follow me.”

Zhong Nian still clutched half a piece of uneaten bread. He licked the crumbs from his lips and followed for a stretch. As they rounded several corners into an unoccupied area, his unease grew stronger.

“Where are we going?” Unable to read the man’s intentions, he deliberately slowed down, keeping two meters’ distance.

He no longer wanted to keep following.

The man stopped and turned. “My room.”

Zhong Nian: “?”

“I have something to return to you.” With that, the man continued walking.

“…” Zhong Nian hesitated.

He didn’t follow. The man neither urged nor rushed him, simply stopping to wait.

Zhong Nian could sense there was no coercion in the man’s actions—as if he could turn and leave right now and the man wouldn’t say a word. But…

“Not coming?” The man always spoke sparingly, and his flat tone revealed no emotion, making him impossible to read.

Zhong Nian’s heart wavered, and he didn’t dare say anything.

But given the man’s abilities and his current power on the ship, if he really wanted to harm Zhong Nian, there’d be no need for such an elaborate ruse.

He subtly touched the Folding Fruit Knife hidden in his pants pocket, then stepped forward to follow.

Two minutes later.

Zhong Nian followed the man to a stop in front of a certain room. He scanned the left and right corridors, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

“You’ve been here before,” the man said while unlocking the door.

Zhong Nian froze.

After thinking back carefully, a memory flashed in his mind.

It was that first night… He’d gotten lost by accident and stumbled upon the gang’s secret meeting.

Zhan Lu had “rescued” him that day, so it wasn’t surprising the man knew he’d been here.

Once inside, Zhong Nian was even more surprised. The already sparse unoccupied room was as basic as could be—nothing but essential furniture and supplies.

From the signs of habitation, the man had been living here without moving out.

Logically, the man could now live in a top-floor cabin if he wanted.

This boss lived so simply it was unexpectedly austere…

But it was very clean, without a speck of dust. Even the blanket was folded neatly into a perfect square.

As Zhong Nian took it all in, the man moved the room’s only chair in front of him: “Sit.”

Zhong Nian gave him a strange look: “No need, thanks… What do you want to return to me?”

He was also curious what he could have left with this man.

The man pulled out a wrinkled black bow tie, no bigger than a palm.

—From his own pocket.

Zhong Nian: “…?”