Chapter 1031: The Weight of Secrets

Night had settled over Imperial.

Snow continued to fall beneath the dark winter sky, covering the streets and rooftops in a thin layer of white. The city lights shimmered against the falling flakes, creating an almost peaceful scene.

But peace was the last thing on Liu Shan’s mind.

His black car sped along the winding road leading toward his hilltop bungalow.

His jaw was clenched.

His fingers gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

The events outside De L’amour continued replaying in his head.

Lu Tian’s eyes.

That brief, penetrating stare.

The unmistakable warning behind it.

Liu Shan had spent years working for Yue Ling. He had faced dangerous people, infiltrated heavily guarded systems, and dealt with individuals who would kill without hesitation.

Yet that single look from Lu Tian had managed to unsettle him more than he cared to admit.

He had called Xu Long immediately after leaving De L’amour.

The conversation had been short.

Very short.

"Get to my place. Now."

Xu Long had barely managed to ask what was wrong before Liu Shan ended the call.

And now—

The tires of his car crunched over the snow-covered driveway as he pulled to an abrupt stop outside the building.

He killed the engine.

For a moment, he sat perfectly still.

His chest rose and fell with a deep breath.

Then he unfastened his seat belt and pushed open the door.

The cold winter air struck his face.

He barely noticed.

Several familiar figures stood near the entrance.

Lin Hui.

Qi Li.

Gui Tian Lan and Gui Zhongmin.

Tang Zhonghui.

Ju Suo.

Lian Ni Shang.

Shan Sinan.

And standing among them—

Xu Long.

The moment Liu Shan spotted him, his expression darkened.

He slammed the car door shut.

Then marched straight toward him.

"Liu Shan?"

Lin Hui frowned at the look on his friend’s face.

"What—"

Before anyone could finish speaking, Liu Shan grabbed Xu Long by the collar of his coat.

"WHY?!"

His roar shattered the quiet winter night.

Everyone froze.

Xu Long’s eyes widened briefly in surprise.

Liu Shan’s fists tightened around the expensive fabric, pulling him forward.

"We had an agreement!"

His voice shook with anger.

"One week! That’s what we agreed on!"

Xu Long’s expression hardened.

"Liu Shan—"

"How could you break it?!"

The accusation echoed across the driveway.

Gui Zhongmin blinked.

Tang Zhonghui straightened.

Qi Li’s eyes narrowed behind his half-rimmed glasses.

No one understood what had happened.

One moment, they had been waiting for Liu Shan to arrive.

The next, he looked ready to strangle Xu Long.

Xu Long’s patience snapped.

"I KNOW THAT!"

He grabbed Liu Shan’s wrists.

With a firm movement, he forced the man’s hands away from his collar.

"Get your hands off me."

Liu Shan released him, but the fury in his eyes remained.

Xu Long took a step back.

He straightened his coat, smoothing the wrinkled fabric with sharp, irritated movements.

Then he looked directly at Liu Shan.

"But this is my boss we’re talking about."

Liu Shan scoffed.

"And?"

Xu Long’s eyes turned cold.

"And if you’ve forgotten what kind of man Lu Tian is, allow me to remind you."

His voice lowered.

"He’s not someone you can easily deceive."

Liu Shan’s jaw tightened.

Xu Long continued.

"He didn’t get to where he is because someone handed everything to him."

His expression became serious.

"Yes, he was born into wealth. Yes, the Lu family already had power and influence."

He paused.

"But everything he controls today? The authority he commands? The people who follow him?"

Xu Long shook his head.

"He earned those things."

His gaze sharpened.

"Do you honestly think a man like that wouldn’t notice when someone who’s worked beside him for years suddenly starts hiding something?"

Liu Shan opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

Because he knew.

Of course he knew.

Lu Tian might have been born with a silver spoon, but he had never relied solely on his family name.

He had built his own reputation.

His own power.

His own influence.

And unlike many wealthy heirs who inherited positions they did not deserve, Lu Tian had made certain that no one could question his ability to command.

Even the people who feared him respected him.

Liu Shan looked away.

"Shit."

He dragged a hand through his hair.

His frustration only intensified.

He had known from the beginning that keeping something from Lu Tian was dangerous.

But he had hoped Xu Long could manage it.

Just for one week.

Apparently, that had been wishful thinking.

Liu Shan inhaled sharply.

Then turned back.

"How much does he know?"

Xu Long stared at him for several seconds.

The anger gradually left his expression.

He sighed.

"Not everything."

Liu Shan’s shoulders stiffened.

"But he knows something is happening."

A pause.

"And he knows it involves Fate."

The words seemed to freeze the air around them.

Liu Shan closed his eyes.

"Wonderful."

His voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Absolutely wonderful."

Lin Hui, who had been silently watching the confrontation, finally stepped forward.

"Enough."

Both men looked at him.

His brows were drawn together.

"Would someone mind explaining what the hell is going on?"

Qi Li adjusted his glasses.

"I’d like to know that too."

He glanced between the two assistants.

"Preferably before Liu Shan decides to commit murder in front of his new home."

Gui Zhongmin nodded.

"Agreed."

Tang Zhonghui folded his arms.

"I thought we were meeting to discuss Liu Peng and Choi Li Sun."

Liu Shan exhaled through his nose.

Then pointed toward Xu Long.

"Ask him."

Xu Long stared at him.

Liu Shan returned the look.

The message was clear.

’You tell them.’

Xu Long rubbed his forehead. He was beginning to develop a headache.

A very familiar headache.

The kind that usually appeared whenever Alpha Team was involved.

"Fine."

He looked at everyone.

"My Boss knows I’m hiding something."

Lin Hui’s expression changed immediately.

"What?"

Xu Long nodded grimly.

"He noticed during this morning’s meeting."

Qi Li’s eyes narrowed.

"How?"

Xu Long gave him a look.

"How do you think?"

Qi Li fell silent.

Xu Long continued.

"He called me into his office this afternoon."

A faint shudder passed through him at the memory.

"He asked me to come clean."

Gui Zhongmin winced.

"And?"

"I refused."

Several heads turned toward him.

Tang Zhonghui blinked.

"You refused Lu Tian?"

Xu Long’s expression darkened.

"Yes."

A long silence followed.

Then Gui Zhongmin slowly raised his thumb.

"Respect."

Xu Long gave him a murderous look.

"Don’t."

Gui Zhongmin immediately lowered his hand.

Xu Long sighed.

"He asked whether it involved Fate."

Lin Hui’s jaw tightened.

"And you said?"

"Yes."

Liu Shan made a strangled sound.

Xu Long ignored him.

"Then he asked whether it affected Yue Ling."

The atmosphere changed.

Everyone became serious.

"What did you tell him?" Qi Li asked.

"That it wasn’t confirmed."

Lin Hui lowered his gaze.

That was the truth.

They still had no proof that Yue Ling was the intended target.

But Choi Li Sun’s altered appearance made it impossible to dismiss the possibility.

Xu Long continued.

"My Boss knows we’re investigating something. He doesn’t know about Liu Peng, Choi Li Sun, or Lee Shin."

Liu Shan finally looked up.

"Then why did he look at me like that?"

Xu Long frowned.

"Like what?"

"Like he was deciding whether to bury me alive."

Gui Zhongmin let out a quiet laugh.

Liu Shan shot him a glare.

"Not funny."

Xu Long’s expression became thoughtful.

"Because he probably suspects you’re involved."

Liu Shan stared.

"Why?"

"Because you’re Yue Ling’s assistant."

Xu Long folded his arms.

"And because you’re terrible at pretending nothing is wrong when you’re worried about her."

Liu Shan opened his mouth.

Then closed it.

He hated that Xu Long had a point.

Lin Hui looked between them.

"What about our agreement?"

Xu Long’s expression grew solemn.

"He hasn’t demanded the details."

Everyone listened.

"He knows I promised someone one week."

Liu Shan’s eyes widened.

"You told him that too?!"

Xu Long’s patience nearly snapped again.

"It slipped out!"

Liu Shan stared at him in disbelief.

Xu Long pointed at him.

"You try standing in front of that man when he’s asking whether his wife is in danger!"

Liu Shan fell silent.

Xu Long lowered his hand.

"He didn’t explicitly agree to wait. But he let me leave without forcing me to explain."

Lin Hui slowly nodded.

"And the condition?"

Xu Long looked at him.

"If anything we uncover confirms a threat to Yue Ling, I report to him immediately."

No one objected.

Because no matter how much they wanted to protect Yue Ling from unnecessary pain, her safety came first.

Always.

Liu Shan rubbed his face.

Then turned toward the building.

"Let’s go inside."

He sounded exhausted.

"We’re not solving anything out here."

Everyone followed.

Gui Zhongmin lingered beside Xu Long.

He gave the man a sympathetic look.

"Man."

Xu Long glanced at him.

"What?"

"Working for Lu Tian must be exhausting."

Tang Zhonghui nodded.

"Seriously. You can’t hide anything from that man."

Xu Long sighed.

"You have no idea."

Gui Zhongmin patted his shoulder.

"At least you’re still alive."

Xu Long looked at him.

"That’s supposed to make me feel better?"

"Isn’t it?"

Xu Long closed his eyes. He really needed a vacation.

Preferably somewhere far away from both Lu Tian and Alpha Team.

Unfortunately, he knew that would never happen.

Liu Shan’s bungalow overlooked much of Imperial.

From the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, the city stretched beneath the hill like a sea of scattered lights.

Snow drifted steadily outside.

Inside, the atmosphere was considerably less peaceful.

Coats were removed.

Laptops opened.

Several members of Alpha Team settled around the spacious living room while others stood near the windows.

Liu Shan placed his bag beside the couch and sat down.

His earlier anger had faded.

What remained was frustration.

They had been investigating since they learned Liu Pen escaped.

And every lead seemed to disappear the moment they approached it.

Lin Hui settled onto the single chaise opposite the couch.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"I went back to the massage parlor before coming here."

Everyone looked at him.

Liu Shan lifted his head.

"And?"

Lin Hui shook his head.

"Nothing."

His expression darkened.

"The man never showed his face."

Qi Li frowned.

"Not even once?"

"No."

Lin Hui tapped his lower lip thoughtfully.

"I stayed long enough to watch the employees change shifts. He didn’t arrive."

He paused.

"And according to the information I gathered, he’s usually there several times a week."

Liu Shan’s eyes narrowed.

"So he suddenly stopped showing up."

"Exactly."

Lin Hui leaned back slightly.

"There’s no doubt they know we’re looking for them now."

Gui Tian Lan nodded.

"That would explain why everyone’s disappeared."

His expression was thoughtful.

"Liu Peng vanished after escaping in the sedan. Choi Li Sun hasn’t surfaced. And now the people connected to him are suddenly avoiding their usual locations."

Qi Li adjusted his glasses.

"Either they’ve gone into hiding..."

"Or someone warned them," Lin Hui finished.

Silence followed.

That possibility was troubling.

If someone had warned them, it meant their investigation was no longer as discreet as they had believed.

Liu Shan leaned back against the couch.

His gaze moved toward the ceiling.

He mentally reviewed everything they knew.

Liu Peng had survived Red Militant’s destruction.

Someone had helped him escape.

Choi Li Sun had appeared in the same private room Liu Peng entered.

His face had been altered to resemble Lee Shin.

Two unidentified men had accompanied him.

And now—

Nothing.

Every path ended in silence.

Liu Shan slowly lowered his gaze.

Then looked toward Xu Long.

"Contact those three men from City Z."

Xu Long straightened.

"Do we have to?"

Liu Shan’s expression turned serious.

"Yes. Have them give you everything they’ve found on Choi Li Sun."

Qi Li looked up.

"Everything?"

"Everything."

Liu Shan leaned forward.

"I don’t care if it’s an old photograph, a hotel receipt, or the name of someone he had dinner with five years ago."

His eyes hardened.

"We need something. No matter how much we searched, everything has been wiped clean. It means he’s starting fresh."

Xu Long nodded.

"I’ll contact them."

Liu Shan stared at him for another moment.

Then spoke again.

"You said Lu Tian knows about the one-week deadline."

Xu Long nodded.

"Yes."

"Then that means everyone here has one week."

The room fell silent.

Liu Shan’s voice lowered.

"One week to find Liu Pend and figure out what Choi Li Sun is planning."

He glanced around the room.

"And one week to determine whether Yue Ling is in danger."

No one spoke.

The mention of Lu Tian had cast a noticeable shadow over the group.

They were not cowards.

Every person in that room had faced dangerous situations.

They had fought armed enemies.

Survived missions that could have ended in death.

Some had stood beside Yue Ling in the underworld long enough to understand what genuine terror looked like.

But Lu Tian was different.

Not because he was stronger than all of them.

Not because they believed he would harm them without reason.

But because his patience was frighteningly limited when Yue Ling’s safety was concerned.

And if he discovered that they had knowingly concealed a threat to his wife—

None of them wanted to imagine the consequences.

Even worse was the thought of Yue Ling discovering what they had been hiding from her.

The mere possibility sent a chill down their spines.

Lu Tian was terrifying enough, but facing his wrath was nothing compared to facing Yue Ling’s.

They had all witnessed what happened when someone crossed her. Her anger was rarely loud or explosive.

It was the terrifying calm that came afterward, the chilling silence and those cold, unreadable bluish-green eyes that made even the bravest among them reconsider their choices.

And this time, they weren’t merely hiding information.

They were keeping something from her that involved the face of a man she had once loved.

Along with the fact that the person also involved in her brother’s kidnapping had escaped.

If Yue Ling discovered the truth before they could explain themselves, none of them wanted to imagine the consequences.

Gui Zhongmin slowly leaned toward Tang Zhonghui.

"Do you think we should start writing our wills?"

Tang Zhonghui gave him a flat look.

"Speak for yourself."

"I’m serious."

"So am I."

Ju Suo sighed.

"Can you two stop?"

Gui Zhongmin straightened.

"Fine."

Then he muttered, "But I’m just saying."

Lian Ni Shang shook her head.

Despite the tension, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Liu Shan ignored them.

"We need to widen the search."

Qi Li nodded.

"The digital trail is nearly nonexistent."

"Which means we need people," Lin Hui added.

"People who hear things."

"People who don’t ask questions."

Gui Tian Lan, who had been standing quietly near the windows, suddenly lifted his head.

"Glory."

Everyone turned toward him.

Liu Shan frowned.

"What?"

Gui Tian Lan pushed away from the window.

"Why don’t we go to Glory?"

His expression sharpened.

"Everyone in the underworld does business there."

He glanced around the room.

"Information. Weapons. Money. Favors. People."

He paused.

"If Liu Peng or Choi Li Sun has been moving through Imperial’s underground networks, someone there might have heard something."

Qi Li considered the suggestion.

"Not a bad idea."

Lin Hui nodded slowly.

"Especially if they’re avoiding places connected to their normal identities."

Liu Shan remained silent for several seconds.

Then he nodded.

"Alright."

His gaze turned serious.

"But be discreet."

Gui Tian Lan met his eyes.

Liu Shan continued.

"The underworld is still in turmoil after what happened to Red Militant."

The destruction of Hung Woo’s organization had left a significant power vacuum.

Some groups were attempting to claim abandoned territory.

Others were quietly negotiating new alliances.

And a few were undoubtedly waiting for an opportunity to strike at Fate.

Liu Shan’s expression darkened.

"We don’t know who to trust right now."

Gui Tian Lan nodded.

"Understood."

"No unnecessary attention."

"Got it."

"And don’t mention Mami or Fate."

Gui Tian Lan’s eyes sharpened.

"I wouldn’t."

He turned toward his twin.

Gui Zhongmin met his gaze.

Neither brother needed to speak.

A simple nod passed between them.

They would go together.

Liu Shan watched the exchange.

"Keep your phones on."

Gui Zhongmin grinned.

"Always."

Liu Shan gave him a warning look.

"I’m serious."

The grin faded.

"We know."

Around them, the discussion continued.

Assignments were divided.

Potential contacts were reviewed.

Old connections were reconsidered.

For the first time that evening, the investigation began moving in several directions again.

But beneath the renewed determination, one fact remained.

They were running out of time.

And somewhere in Imperial, Choi Li Sun was still moving freely with the face of a dead man alongside Liu Peng.