After serving Lord Fei his multiple course meal, Lin Yan broke out his trump card of dessert. Lord Fei was delighted with thisst item in his banquet and went home with a skip in his step. He was looking forward to bringing his wife in the future.


    Lin Yan''s trump card for dessert was various cakes and cupcakes. Su wan had a craving for a sweet and creamy dessert. Still, when Lin Yan attempted to make something to satisfy her, he failed miserably. The next day, Su Wan forced the brothers to make whipping cream from egg whites and sugar. It was all about strength and speed. By the time the fluffy cream was ready, everyone in the family felt like they were dying from how sore their arms were. (like author-san)


    After the banquet went off without a hitch, Lin Yan couldn''t be happier. Luo Xin hadn''t tried to cause any more trouble, and his life was more or less peaceful. Now he could go around without fear or being terrified of the dark. He was alright, and everything was fine.


    "Master Lin, should I go with you?" asked Little Shi. Though the little boy didn''t know what was going on, he realized that Su Wan didn''t want Lin Yan to be left alone. So, out of consideration, he couldn''t help but ask.


    "It''s alright, you don''t have to worry about me," though it waste, Lin Yan was more or less confident about walking alone. He was slightly worried, yes, but he didn''t want to make himself look like a coward by taking a little boy with him, and he knew he had to face his fears alone at some point. "It''ste. You should go home as well."


    Little Shi nodded and walked back inside the restaurant to clean up. Though it looked like he wanted to say something, he didn''t. Lin Yan was his boss, and as a worker, he could only push his limits to a certain degree.


    Lin Yan turned around and left after watching Little Shi go inside the restaurant. The docks were silent, and the usual hustle and bustle were gone. Because Lord Fei was enjoying his time, the noon banquet continued on through sunset, with no one noticing. Before anyone knew it, the moon was shining over their heads, ring down at them to stop working and go back home.


    He brushed his hair away from his eyes and tucked the locks behind his ear, enjoying the view of the moon shining on the sea. The warm winds tickled his skin as he walked through the streets.


    The market was still open, but the crowd was a lot smaller than in the morning. It was something he hadn''t seen for months. He couldn''t help but be happy about this new freedom that he was enjoying. Maybe he should bring a gift or something for Su Wan. It was such a big day for him and their restaurant. By taking over the management of Lord Fei''s banquet, the road to their restaurant reaching new heights would be straightforward.


    The more he thought, the more his mood lightened, and he hummed a folk song that he had heard once when he walked past a tea shop. The entertainers there were performing this song for their customers.


    He walked past an alley and turned left. The shop where they sold the jewelry that Su Wan liked was a bit of a walk, but it was all good as long as he could make her happy.


    He smiled, imaging Su Wan''s radiant face after receiving the gift he had picked out for her.


    Crunch.


    A soft sound from the alley next to him wrenched him out of his thoughts. He turned to look at the dark alley and swallowed. Oh no, it can''t be what he was thinking. Maybe it was a stray cat or something.


    Lin Yan was so focused on the alley that he was looking at it that he didn''t notice the creeping figure behind him. The figure raised his hand and mped them on his mouth, barring him from screaming for help. Lin Yan felt his eyes widen as he struggled to free himself from the person dragging him into the alley behind them.


    "mfhhmhmmm!" Lin Yan tried to make a sound for help, but it was extremely muffled. Digging his heels in the road, he scratched the hand of the culprit, but thetter didn''t budge. Either he couldn''t feel pain, or he was stronger than him. Now, Lin Yan was feeling regretful. Lin Chen had asked him if he wanted to go home together, but Lin Yan had refused. He was confident that with this new acquaintance of Lord Fei, Luo Xin wouldn''t dare to touch him. Clearly, he was wrong.


    They dragged him until he could no longer see the mouth of the alley, surrounded byplete darkness.


    "lefjmmg!" Lin Yan bit the hand of the guy who was holding him. He tried to struggle, kicked the man on the shin, and even stomped on his foot. Nothing. The man didn''t move at all.


    "I will ask you to stop, brother Yan. It''s useless," a deep voice filled with disapproval stopped him. Lin Yan looked up, and his eyes widened in surprise. The guy in front of him was Fang Zimo. His good friend, the one who took care of him when he was in the Fu mansion.


    "Fammgg?"


    Fang Zimo giggled, then motioned the big brute to let go of Lin Yan''s mouth. "It is fine. Even if he screams here, no one will hear him toe and help him."


    "Fang Zimo? What are you doing?" Lin Yan was shocked. The Fang Zimo that he knew wasn''t like this. He was a sweet and gentle guy. Too soft to even speak loudly, much less kidnap someone. "Why are you doing this?"


    Fang Zimo paused. Then he tilted his head with a gentle smile, the same one he showed to him when they were in the Fu mansion. "Should I smile at you like this and call you brother Yan like before?" he asked sarcastically, his smile vanishing in a blink of an eye.. "I have to look out for myself first. What else am I supposed to do? "