Learning to Love Again

"Move away or the boy dies."

Shen Xun's eyes are frosty as she stares at Su Lian.

Thirteen has a knife pressed to her throat and she has a dagger at Su Yichen's.

"You really want me to make your head roll." Thirteen says through gritted teeth.

The other men in black shake their heads in dismay as they watch Shen Xun.

Even though they did not have much interaction with her, she still worked under their boss for twelve years and so they wanted to give her some dignity at least.

They didn't want to use violence. They had planned to just capture her and hand her over the police so that she can be punished under the law for her two crimes.

Who would have thought that she would resort to using such amateurish methods like holding a hostage?

With a flick, thirteen grabs Shen Xun's hand and instantly dislocates her wrist.

Her dagger falls on the ground right at their feet.

He holds her by her arm and throws her to the opposite end of the room.

Her body slams against the side of the wall and she coughs up a mouth full of blood.

Looking at thirteen, her eyes widen in horror.

She knew that the Han Group's elite force was strong, but she never would have guessed that they'd be this formidable.

She has been training to be a top bodyguard for over a decade. She spent so many hours and sleepless nights just to master her skills. She knew that she needed to be strong and useful to get Han Yuan to notice her.

And that's what she did. Her hard work paid off.

She worked herself tirelessly and became proficient in the use of over a dozen modern weapons.

Who would have thought that without putting in any effort, thirteen would take her down in just a few seconds.

She wipes the blood off the corner of her mouth and clenches her fists. There's no escaping this.

It's over.

"The Han Group trained you for naught. Twelve years and this is all you can do. What a waste of resources." Han Yuan's voice is devoid of any emotion but every word he says pierces Shen Xun's heart like a sharp sword.

A waste of resources...

She looks up at him with cloudy eyes.

He is also looking down at her, but not with his usual indifference, this time there are traces of hostility and disgust in his eyes.

His gaze makes her feel very small and uncomfortable. She immediately averts her eyes and stares at her feet, not daring to look up at him anymore.

"Mommy." Su Yichen runs up to his mother and dives into her embrace.

"Baby." Su Lian carries him up in her arms and covers him with kisses. "Xiao Chen, are you alright? Did she hurt you? Were you scared?"

He shakes his head.

After inspecting him carefully and seeing that he isn't hurt, Su Lian sighs in relief but she doesn't put him down.

Watching the harmonious scene of the mother and son, Shen Xun's eyes turn red with envy.

Su Lian is carrying Su Yichen and standing not too far from her. She is wearing a knee-length white lace dress. Her long black hair is slightly wavy and it cascades like a waterfall down her back.

She looks so clean and beautiful.

Shen Xun looks down at herself.

She hasn't bathed in so long and her clothes are now in tatters. Without even having a mirror she knows that her face does not look presentable.

"Why?" She asks.

"Why did you pick her." For the first time since her parents died, a tear slides down Shen Xun's. "Everything I did for the past twelve years, was for you."

Han Yuan merely glances at her before turning to look at thirteen. "Hand her over to the police."

He leads Su Lian and Su Yichen towards the door.

Seeing them leave, Shen Xun becomes anxious. "No wait, please don't go. Don't give me to the police. I'm begging you."

She tries to stand up but she wobbles and falls.

Thirteen hit her too hard, she can barely maintain her balance.

Han Yuan doesn't pay her any mind as he leaves the building with his 'wife' and child.

"Ahhhhh---"

Shen Xun screams at the top of her lungs and starts furiously pulling at her hair.

Thirteen injects her with anesthesia and carries her off. The seven other men disperse.

There's no need for all of them to go to the police station. In fact, there was no need for all of them to even come on this 'rescue mission.' Han Yuan and his father were just extremely paranoid.

.....

Han Yuan opens the car door for Su Lian and Su Yichen.

They get down and walk towards the entrance of a restaurant.

Su Yichen's eyes glisten as he takes in the smell of food wafting into his nose.

He hurries in while pulling Su Lian along with him.

"Steak, I want steak." He exclaims in excitement.

Su Lian can only shake her head at all his energy. He is not even acting like a little boy who was just kidnapped.

They walk inside the restaurant and several eyes land on them.

There are no private rooms so the waiter leads them to a table by the corner. He leaves after giving them the menu.