Chapter Ten: Luo Chen arrival

The café atmosphere remained lively after the unexpected confrontation, with Yuxi effortlessly making friends at another table. Meanwhile, Alexander decided to approach Yue, undeterred by the icy demeanor he had encountered before.

Haoran, Bai, Feng, and Xiao watched from their table, curious about how the interaction between Alexander and Yue would unfold. Yuxi, now engaged in animated conversation with her new friends, occasionally glanced over at her brother and the persistent newcomer.

Haoran leaned in and whispered to Bai, "Watch this. Alex is determined to crack Yue's cold exterior."

Bai nodded, intrigued by the unfolding dynamics. Feng and Xiao exchanged knowing looks, fully aware of the challenge Alexander was undertaking.

As Alexander approached Yue's table, the air seemed to thicken with the unspoken tension between them. Yue, engrossed in his handheld console, didn't immediately acknowledge Alexander's presence.

Undeterred, Alexander pulled up a chair and sat down. "Hey, Yue. Mind if I join you?"

Yue, without looking up from his game, responded with his usual stoicism, "You can do whatever you want."

Despite the chilly reception, Alexander pressed on, determined to bridge the gap. "Cool game. What are you playing?"

Yue finally glanced at Alexander, his expression unchanged. "Not your business."

Undeterred, Alexander flashed a friendly smile. "Fair enough. I was just curious. So, what's your thing, Yue? Besides games, I mean."

Yue's response was succinct. "None of your business."

Meanwhile, at Yuxi's table, the atmosphere was markedly different. Yuxi, Haoran, Bai, Feng, and Xiao engaged in lively conversation, sharing anecdotes and laughter.

Yuxi, stealing a glance at her brother and Alexander, remarked, "Looks like Alex is trying to break through to brother. Good luck to him!"

Haoran chimed in, "Yeah, it's like watching a battle of wills. But Alex seems determined."

Back at Yue and Alexander's table, the verbal exchange continued, each word carrying the weight of unspoken tension.

Alexander, refusing to be discouraged, leaned in and said, "You know, Yue, you don't have to be so guarded all the time. Tiong Se is a big place, but it's better when you've got friends."

Yue, for a moment, seemed to pause in his game. His eyes flickered, a subtle acknowledgment of Alexander's words, but he quickly resumed his focus on the screen.

As the interaction continued, Yuxi, sensing the subtle shift, nudged her newfound friends. "Looks like things are getting interesting over there. Let's cheer for Alex!"

Haoran, Bai, Feng, and Xiao joined Yuxi in glancing over at Alexander and Yue, their eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

As Alexander persisted in his attempt to break through Yue's icy exterior, the two remained engrossed in their own world, the unspoken tension between them palpable. Meanwhile, Yuxi, Haoran, Bai, Feng, and Xiao found themselves engaged in a conversation about siblings, family dynamics, and the complexities that arose from their shared background as members of families associated with the underworld.

Yuxi, her eyes flickering with a mix of fondness and admiration, spoke about her brother Yue. "My brother's personality is cold, and he doesn't express himself much, but he's always been there for me. Despite the few people we can trust because of our family background, my brother is a good person. He may not show it openly, but he takes care of me in his own way."

Haoran nodded in understanding, acknowledging the complexity of their lives. "Being part of a family with ties to the underworld can be challenging. But it's true; there's often more beneath the surface than meets the eye."

Bai, Feng, and Xiao chimed in with their own reflections on family dynamics and the unique challenges they faced.

Amidst their conversation, Yuxi's eyes widened as she spotted a figure entering the café. The atmosphere shifted as a man named Luo Chen walked in, a known rival of Yue and someone with a history that ran deep.

Yuxi's expression tightened, her cheerful demeanor momentarily replaced by a sense of caution. She leaned in and whispered to her friends, "Luo Chen is here. He and my brother have a history."

Haoran, Bai, Feng, and Xiao exchanged knowing glances, aware of the tensions that existed within the world of organized crime.

Meanwhile, at the adjacent table, Alexander sensed the change in atmosphere. He looked at Yue, who remained focused on his game, seemingly oblivious to the new presence in the café.

As Luo Chen made his way toward Yue, the air became charged with an unspoken tension. Yuxi, despite her usually carefree demeanor, watched closely, concern etched on her face.

Luo Chen, a man with a steely expression, approached Yue's table. He spoke with an air of arrogance, "Well, well, if it isn't Yue. Still hiding behind that stoic façade, I see."

Yue, unfazed, paused his game and met Luo Chen's gaze. "What do you want, Luo Chen?"

Luo Chen smirked, "Just checking on an old acquaintance. Heard you've been making some waves. Don't forget, this world isn't as big as you think."

As the exchange unfolded, Alexander observed silently, sensing the depth of the rivalry between Yue and Luo Chen.

The tense encounter in the café took an unexpected turn as Luo Chen, with an air of arrogance, reached out and touched Yue's face. Alexander, witnessing the audacious act, felt a surge of anger and immediately intervened, forcefully removing Luo Chen's hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" Alexander's voice was firm, and his eyes flashed with a protective instinct.

Luo Chen, taken aback by the interference, sneered, "This is between me and Yue. Stay out of it, newcomer."

Before Alexander could respond, Luo Chen, fueled by his wounded pride, attempted to throw a punch at Alexander. However, Yue, incensed by the intrusion, swiftly stood up, blocking the impending attack.

Yue's usually cold demeanor was replaced by a simmering anger. "Enough, Luo Chen. We're not in the mood for your games."

Luo Chen, undeterred, replied with a mocking tone, "Games, huh? Seems like you've been playing some games of your own, Yue."

As the tension escalated, Yuxi and the others looked on with a mix of concern and curiosity. The café's atmosphere became charged with the energy of conflicting emotions.

Meanwhile, at Yue's table, the handheld console lay forgotten, its screen displaying a defeated message. The game over screen seemed to further fuel Yue's frustration.

Yue, seeing his virtual world crumble, slammed his head against the table, cursing under his breath. The clash of the physical and virtual worlds mirrored the tumultuous emotions within him.

Yuxi, worried about her brother's sudden outburst, leaned in and whispered to Haoran, Bai, Feng, and Xiao, "This isn't just about Luo Chen. Something else is bothering Yue."

Haoran, observing the unfolding drama, nodded in agreement. "There's more to this than meets the eye. Let's see how it plays out."

Back at the center of the confrontation, Alexander, still standing his ground, addressed Luo Chen. "This isn't the place for your personal vendettas. Back off."

Luo Chen, realizing the situation might escalate further, reluctantly took a step back. "We're not done, Yue. This isn't over."

With that ominous warning, Luo Chen turned and left the café, leaving a charged atmosphere in his wake. The café patrons, who had been observing the confrontation, returned to their conversations, though the lingering tension remained palpable.

Yue, with a mixture of frustration and anger, sat back down, his eyes fixed on the defeated game screen. The usually composed and stoic figure seemed momentarily vulnerable.

Alexander, though successful in diffusing the immediate threat, couldn't shake off the unease that lingered in the aftermath.