VESSEL - Extinction Countdown 985: Tricolor Table

In the Dragon Gate Inn incident, Hong Gang’s forces were driven off by Ye Shisan, fleeing in chaos. You Long’er’s call for Dragon Gate reinforcements arrived in time, reclaiming the island.

In one night, You Long’er lost her greatest pillars—her father, You Dragon King, and her elder brother, You Hailong.

Ye Shisan fell into a prolonged coma. After Lin Changrong’s check confirmed no physical issues, You Long’er insisted on moving him elsewhere.

You Long’er buried her father and brother. Devastated, her confidants warned her: her second brother, You Lulong, had seized control. All of Dragon Gate was hunting her.

She faced two formidable foes: Hong Gang, the nation’s top local syndicate, and Dragon Gate, the global underworld power now under You Lulong’s command.

To avoid a double blow, You Long’er fled Dragon Gate. Hiding with confidants wasn’t safe enough. Disguising herself and vanishing into the streets was better.

By Ye Shisan’s side, with his extraordinary strength, was the safest place.

Though willful, You Long’er’s cunning rivaled any adversary.

First, Ye Shisan’s face was exposed, but as a nobody, no one knew his past. Even if Hong Gang reported back, finding him in a sea of people was nearly impossible.

Second, with her father and brother gone, she was You Lulong’s sole threat. Dragon Gate would pin all blame on her, perhaps even issuing a kill order.

She knew Ye Shisan’s value. If he’d help, offering herself was a possible trade. After all, he was decently handsome.

But You Long’er hadn’t counted on a cop, Yi Qing, or the little terror, Vanilla, crashing her plans.

Shisan Bakery.

At a small dining table sat one man and two-and-a-half women: Yi Qing counted as one, You Long’er another, and Vanilla, too young, half a woman.

Ye Shisan was the most awkward, baffled by how things had spiraled.

Vanilla, the sharpest and most mischievous, pegged Yi Qing as a cop chasing Ye Shisan and You Long’er as a delinquent after him. If they don’t move, I don’t move, she thought, biding her time.

Yi Qing was frustrated. First, Vanilla mistook her for Ye Shisan’s girlfriend. Then Ms. Wang’s words added You Long’er’s glare. How could she investigate like this?

Eyeing the one-and-a-half women beside her, Yi Qing steeled herself. YiQueen’s file said Ye Shisan has a Heart Demon. Until I confirm it, I, a former Fireseed elite, won’t lose to a delinquent and a brat!

You Long’er, seasoned by her father’s side, was stunned to falter here. She’d convinced Ye Shisan to take her along, only for a cop and a loli to appear. A man his age resisting a mature woman and a loli? No way.

Yi Qing’s too old, overdeveloped. Vanilla’s too young, barely budding. With my eighteen-year-old bloom, peerless beauty, and stunning figure, Ye Shisan can’t escape me!

This was likely Ye Shisan’s blandest dinner ever.

Finishing his last bite, You Long’er snatched his bowl and chopsticks, grinning at Yi Qing and Vanilla. “I’ll wash. As the lady of the house, it’s my job for my man and guests.”

Yi Qing snorted, grabbing Ye Shisan’s jacket. “I’m doing laundry. Don’t lock the bathroom—I’ll grab your underwear later.”

Vanilla gasped. These women are fierce! I can’t let them win!

“Uncle Shisan, hug me! I’m tired. Sleep with me tonight!”

Yi Qing and You Long’er nearly choked.

This kid’s no pushover!

Only Ye Shisan stayed dazed. Why has my life flipped? Beautiful women keep showing up, impossible to shoo. What’s happening?

Sleeping was a mess. After the two-and-a-half women’s squabble, a decision was made.

Vanilla got the bedroom alone. Yi Qing and You Long’er took cots in the storeroom. Ye Shisan was sent to the downstairs sofa.

For him, this was better. The upstairs door locks. If I snap, I can’t hurt them.

It was his best sleep since Vanilla arrived. But the next morning, the two-and-a-half women sported six dark circles.

Yi Qing and You Long’er, both plotting to “bond” with Ye Shisan, spent the night eyeing each other, their sneak attacks thwarted.

Vanilla fared worse, eavesdropping at the door crack, hoping to slip downstairs once the others slept. She nearly caught a cold.

Days later, Shisan Bakery became the talk of the neighborhood aunties.

“You know that bakery guy? Tall, skinny—Ye Shisan.”

“Quiet, but his ‘skills’! Two pretty girls work for him, no pay!”

“Really? Girls chasing guys now? My son needs half his charm!”

“He’s got it made! One girl’s diligent, one’s a beauty, plus a super cute kid… That’s the peak, right?”

With Yi Qing and You Long’er, business boomed.

Yi Qing, sharp with numbers, kept the shop organized and spotless.

You Long’er, a natural dealmaker, scored quality ingredients cheap and drew crowds—her red hair became the shop’s mascot.

Vanilla, the half-woman, helped everywhere, quick to learn Ye Shisan’s baking tricks.

At month’s end, after costs, Ye Shisan earned his first fifty thousand yuan.

For Yi Qing, You Long’er, and Vanilla, it was their first time earning so much by their own hands.