Chapter Seventeen: Could You Let Me Kiss You?

“Firing me?” I crossed my legs and looked at Ling Xi with keen interest. “Hey kid, how old are you?”

“Ugh! You’re just a driver, yet you’re so arrogant!” Ling Xi was taken aback, then furious. She turned to Ling Xuan and said, “Sis, look at this driver—he’s so insolent! Fire him immediately!”

“Alright,” Ling Xuan nodded coolly.

Ling Xi instantly grew proud, hands on her hips, towering over me with a haughty look. “You’re fired now. Hand over the keys and get lost.”

I pulled out the keys and dangled them in front of her with a smile. “Come and take them if you can!”

Fuming, Ling Xi stomped her foot. “You’re killing me with your arrogance! I’ve never seen such a cocky driver!”

She strode forward and reached out to snatch the keys.

I quickly stepped aside.

She tried again, and I moved away once more.

After two failed attempts, her face flushed red with embarrassment and anger. Forgetting the keys, she clenched her tiny fists and swung at me with all her might.

No wonder she was Ling Xuan’s sister—the moves were almost identical.

But I wasn’t about to let her hit me.

With a roll on the sofa, I ended up at the other end, waving the keys teasingly.

“I’ll beat you to death, you lousy driver!” Ling Xi’s face turned beet red as she snarled and rushed at me, kicking fiercely.

I seized the moment, extending my right foot and lightly kicked the leg she was using to brace herself.

“Ah!” Ling Xi cried out, losing her balance and toppling toward the corner of the coffee table.

I quickly reached out to catch her.

Suddenly—

*Pop!*

The soft, warm sensation of her lips pressed against mine, the intoxicating scent of youth flooding my senses.

I froze for a moment, instinctively moving my lips slightly.

“Ah!” Ling Xi screamed a piercing, ear-splitting shriek, pushing me away forcefully. She stumbled backward but tripped over the coffee table and fell on her back.

“Xi Xi!” Ling Xuan hurried over and reached out to help her.

Ling Xi’s expression was dazed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. Then she burst into tears, throwing herself into Ling Xuan’s arms. “Sis, he bullied me! My first kiss is gone!”

I was still a bit dazed but snapped out of it at her words and quickly sat up straight.

“Chu Bufan!” Ling Xuan’s face was filled with murderous intent, glaring at me as if she wanted to rip me apart alive.

I chuckled awkwardly, realizing that Ling Xi was probably just a high school girl and I had actually made her cry. I felt a touch of shame and placed the keys on the coffee table. “Take the keys. It was an accident.”

But inwardly I sighed, “Great, no keys now. Getting around will be a pain. With that assassin organization showing up, Ling Xuan is even more in danger. Qin Ruhua will be calling to urge me again later. What a headache!”

“Get out!” Ling Xuan snarled.

“Alright, I’m going,” I said, standing up and leaving the office. “You better comfort her.”

At the end of the corridor, I looked out the window at the bustling cityscape. Lighting a cigarette, I hesitated for a long while before finally pulling out my phone and dialing.

“Hello?” The voice on the other end was aged but deep and commanding.

“Uncle Qi, it’s Xiao Fan.”

“Xiao Fan? Haha, you finally called me! I thought you’d forgotten all of us old friends after you quit.” Uncle Qi’s laughter was hearty and joyful.

Hearing that laugh, his determined, sturdy face flashed through my mind—small but upright. Memories rushed back in an instant.

Uncle Qi was my first manager, wielding enormous influence in the Asian underground boxing world.

I wasn’t sure of the full extent of his power, but I knew that wherever underground boxing existed in the country, he had a presence—controlling local underground casinos and commanding vast underworld forces.

In a major city like Tianhe, underground boxing matches were occasionally organized, so Uncle Qi had significant influence there too.

My new identity and records were arranged with just a word from him.

However, he had a feud with a big player in the U.S., so his reach didn’t extend there—hence my later manager was Byron.

Honestly, when I planned to retire, I hadn’t intended to deal with them anymore. But now, with an assassin organization appearing, even someone invincible like me can’t dodge bullets.

If it were just me, I wouldn’t be afraid. I could handle whatever came. But with Ling Xuan, Qin Ruhua, and other lovely women by my side, I felt the weight of responsibility and pressure.

What if one day a bullet came flying out of nowhere and took them away?

I couldn’t bear to imagine that scene.

No matter what, I mustn’t let them suffer the slightest harm! Even if I hate dealing with my old connections, I have to endure it!

Still, Uncle Qi had always treated me well. Remembering this warmed my heart, and I smiled. “Uncle Qi, how could I forget you all? I’ve just been busy with some trivial matters since returning.”

“Hmm, you must be living the good life these days!”

“Not bad, just a bit bored.” I smiled but then grew serious. “But I’ve run into some trouble recently.”

“Oh?” Uncle Qi chuckled with interest. “What could possibly trouble the mighty Hell’s Killer?”

“Don’t joke, Uncle Qi. I’m just a mortal, no supernatural powers.” I smiled. “I got into trouble with an assassin organization. Do you know any group that uses a blood-red rose as their emblem?”

“A blood-red rose?” Uncle Qi mused. “That symbol isn’t uncommon. I know one group, but I’m not sure if it’s the one you’re talking about. How did you get involved with them?”

With Uncle Qi’s influence, I didn’t hide anything and told him the whole story.

“I see. I’ll ask around if they have any missions for the Dongshan Group in Tianhe City. If so, I’ll try to mediate.”

I was overjoyed. “Thanks a lot, Uncle Qi.”

He laughed heartily. “No problem. Come by sometime, fight a few matches to liven things up.”

My smile faded a bit as I reflected on how much I’d come to love this leisurely life after retiring—no more blood-soaked battles. Sometimes lying on a soft bed, recalling the brutal scenes and Qin Wei’s last grim match, I even grew to loathe underground boxing.

I was grateful to have left early and resolved never to return to that bloody world.

But at this moment, I found it hard to refuse.

Of course, Uncle Qi had always been kind; he wasn’t trying to pressure me. If I said no, he’d understand. But since he was doing me a big favor and only asking for a small thing in return, it was hard to refuse.

I smiled politely. “Uncle Qi, you have so many masters under you. I’m just a has-been.”

He chuckled. “No one compares to you. With your skills, it’s like playing. The name Hell’s Killer is famous! When you show up, the place gets lively. Tickets and bets will skyrocket! Haha! I’ll even hook you up with some top-notch girls!”

I sighed inwardly but smiled. “Looks like I can’t refuse. You’re clever, Uncle Qi, pulling this retiree out again.”

“Ha ha.” Uncle Qi laughed heartily. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle the assassin organization. If it’s not someone I know, I’ll investigate, but it’ll take time. Be careful for now—don’t die before your mission is accomplished! That Ling friend of yours must be a beauty, huh? Don’t take it too seriously. A real man shouldn’t be hindered by a woman!”

“I’ll remember your advice, Uncle Qi,” I smiled.

After hanging up, my smile faded.

The cigarette was burned out, so I lit another.

If it were the old me, I probably thought like Uncle Qi too—never let a woman hold me back. But now, I was willing to fight for her.

Sigh, once your heart is tied down, you can never be truly free.

To gain something, you must pay a price.

But I believed it was worth it—far better than battling strangers in the ring.

I took a drag and exhaled toward the window.

Of course, that was for later. For now, I had to deal with the present.

No car, an assassin organization looming, Ling Xuan in more danger, and Qin Ruhua about to call. How was I going to explain?

Such a nuisance!

I quietly smoked another cigarette and turned toward Ling Xuan’s office.

Just then, Ling Xi appeared, her eyes still red-rimmed. Seeing me, her face flared with anger.

“Pervert! Get lost! You’re fired! Don’t ever show up here again!”

I smiled faintly and walked past her. “Why so fierce at such a young age? That was my first kiss, you know!”

After a moment’s silence, a furious voice came from behind me, teeth gritted, “I’ll kill you!”

I quickly darted into Ling Xuan’s office and locked the door.

Outside, Ling Xi pounded on the door, cursing loudly. After a while, seeing no response, she muttered angrily and left.

I sank onto the sofa, smiling and sighing, “Miss, your little sister is even fiercer than you!”

Ling Xuan coldly replied, “A dog never stops eating shit.”

“Hey, hey!” I sat up. “What do you mean by that? I didn’t mean it! Not just now, not back then either. Don’t slander me!”

“Hmph!” Ling Xuan said nothing more.

Watching her focus on work, I smiled. “Ling Xuan, I think you’re beautiful.”

She was slightly startled but kept a stern face and ignored me.

“Can I...” I smiled, gazing at her, “kiss you?”

Smack!

Ling Xuan slammed the desk with a thunderous bang, standing abruptly and glaring at me.

I quickly laughed, “Okay, okay, just kidding.”

“In any case, we already kissed last night.” I added silently, recalling her enchanting scent and soft lips, savoring the memory and wondering when we might kiss again at will.

Ling Xuan sat down, still fuming.

After a pause, I grew serious. “About the assassin organization, I’ll investigate slowly. Be careful these days. Wherever you go, remember to tell me, alright? I’m not joking this time.”

She didn’t respond.

“By the way, I’m moving in with you tonight. Who else lives with you?”

Still no answer.

But I smiled with satisfaction—that meant she had tacitly agreed.

At that moment, the phone rang—it was Qin Ruhua.