VESSEL - Extinction Countdown 984: Fated Bonds

The odd cohabitation of four continued for a while, making Shisan Bakery a local name.

More importantly, whether due to his outburst at Dragon Gate Inn, a regular routine, or taking his meds on time, Ye Shisan’s old ailment hadn’t flared up at night lately.

Good sleep brought good moods. Already somewhat handsome, well-fed and content, Ye Shisan radiated an inner vibrancy. Neighborhood gossip and bread fans’ tales shifted from three pretty girls to “handsome uncle Ye Shisan.”

His sunny, steady charm became the bakery’s living sign.

To reward the two-and-a-half women, Ye Shisan, worn down by their nagging, agreed to close shop for a day at the amusement park. That night, not just Vanilla, but even You Long’er and Yi Qing were too excited to sleep.

Yi Qing had never been to an amusement park. Her life was all missions—her one park trip was work. She planned to visit the haunted house and find a way to ditch You Long’er and Vanilla to question Ye Shisan about his Heart Demon and that car door.

You Long’er had it worse. She’d been to “amusement parks,” but empty ones—her father, You Dragon King, booked them out, and her brother, You Hailong, tripled security. What fun was that?

As excitement built, Yi Qing got a call that morning. Her face paled, and she left for an urgent precinct task.

The group was a bit disappointed, but You Long’er and Vanilla brightened. With Yi Qing gone, they had a better chance to stand out for Ye Shisan.

On the subway, a scene sparked envy: a thirty-something man, right arm cradling a silver-haired loli, left arm held tight by a high-school-aged red-haired girl.

Without their close pose, someone might’ve reported Ye Shisan for taking two girls.

But You Long’er complained about the subway’s smell and transfer hassles. She’d wanted to call a car—her confidants had everything set in Yingtian City. One call, and anyone would jump.

Ye Shisan said it was too showy. When You Long’er first arrived, three Rolls-Royces met them at the airport. If Ms. Wang saw him step from a Rolls with a pretty girl like You Long’er, he’d never clear his name. So, he’d made the driver park two blocks away, and they walked ten minutes home.

Ye Shisan valued keeping things low-key, but pampered You Long’er wasn’t made for subway crowds. To catch Ye Shisan’s eye, she wore a miniskirt, sparking stares from creeps and sleazy men at every transfer. One even pressed up behind her.

Glancing back, You Long’er saw a short man her height glued to her rear, licking his lips. He wore odd hip-hop clothes, a fake gold chain thick as a thumb, with a ruddy, blotchy nose and pockmarked blackheads—purely disgusting.

As the car swayed, he pressed closer. You Long’er wasn’t one to take it. She lifted her foot, slamming her high heel onto his. A yelp rang out as he clutched his foot, falling into the crowd.

“You rotten woman! Watch your step!”

You Long’er sneered. “You deserved it!”

The man cursed. “You crush my foot and act right? Pay my medical bill!”

Ye Shisan, holding Vanilla, turned. “You Long’er, what’s wrong?”

“This creep tried to touch me. No way!”

Her words drew glares at the man. With You Long’er’s looks, who’d doubt her?

He panicked. “Pfft! Touch you? Look at your clothes! Showing that much, you’re either a tramp or for sale!”

You Long’er’s anger flared. Her mother was once a hostess, saved by You Dragon King. She raised her hand, slapping him left and right.

He wouldn’t take it, screaming and grabbing her leg. “Assault! Murder! Bullying an honest man!”

Ye Shisan had enough. As he stepped forward, You Long’er stopped him. “This scum’s mine today, or I’m not a You!”

She grabbed her phone. “Hey! I’m on the subway. Where’s your crew? Slacking?”

Her confidants had men tailing her, but without her order, they stayed hidden.

Seeing her call backup, the man pulled his phone. “Think you’re the only one with friends? No medical bill, you’re not leaving! …Dad, which car? I got beat, come quick!”

An old beggar in rags pushed through, wheeling a cart with a legless beggar woman holding flyers.

“A-Qiang! …You girl, why’d you hit my A-Qiang?” The old beggar’s eyes bulged. Dropping the cart, he swung a metal cane at You Long’er.

Ye Shisan stepped in, blocking her, grabbing the beggar’s collar and lifting him. “Sir, don’t fight! Let’s call the police!”

The old beggar flailed, his wife on the cart spitting curses.

The short man clung to You Long’er’s leg, trembling at her toned muscles, yelling, “She hit me! Everyone saw! Murder!”

As the chaos peaked, burly men in black tees and jeans pushed through, muscles showing.

Their leader snapped the beggar’s cane in half. Another grabbed the short man by the neck, making him see stars as he let go.

A scar-faced man in his thirties said, “Who saw this lady hit you? It was this muscle guy, right?”

Someone shouted, “Yeah!”

The crowd joined in:“Yep! The black-shirt guy hit him!”“Me too!”

The shift stunned the old beggar. With a ding, the subway stopped, doors opened. You Long’er pulled Ye Shisan off, calling to the black-clad men, “You hit him, don’t forget to take him for a check-up!”

She stressed “check-up,” meaning more than a doctor’s visit.

Then, the beggar woman on the cart let out a ghastly wail, pointing a finger missing its first joint at Ye Shisan. “Shisan… you’re Shisan, right? I’m your real mom!”

Before she finished, under the short man and old beggar’s shocked stares, the subway doors closed with a snap.