Stolen Cards

Yize and Hanlin stepped out of the bathroom, still pissed off. Their expensive clothes smelled like cigarettes, and their pride was just as bruised as their bodies. 

They had gone out for a fun night, but instead, they got jumped by some long-haired nobody who beat them down and took their wallets.

Hanlin, the taller one with black hair and a mole near his lip, grabbed a towel and roughly dried his head. "That bastard even took our wallets. We shouldn't have messed with him."

Yize, shorter with messy brown hair, leaned against the counter, still fuming. 

"Tch. We were drunk, caught off guard. Next time, it's different."

Hanlin scoffed. Next time? What's next time gonna be, another ass-kicking?"

His pride was already shattered. He had grown up rich, always looking down on people like that guy. He wasn't used to losing, especially not to some broke nobody.

"Next time?" Hanlin repeated, tossing his towel aside. "Bro, he took our ATMs. We need to find out where he's using them before he drains everything."

Yize sighed, pulling out his phone. "Relax. We'll call him."

Hanlin stopped in his tracks.

"Wait, not the Xuehan."

Yize gave him a look.

"No way. Fuck that guy," Hanlin muttered.

Their friend. Just the thought of him made Hanlin's stomach twist. He was young—only twenty-five—but already a millionaire, and not because of luck. His money came from things people didn't talk about, dirty businesses, illegal gambling rings, underground racing. And to them, he was terrifying. He didn't scream or throw fits like spoiled brats. No, he smiled. Calm. Cold. Like he already knew how you were going to die.

Yize hesitated, then shut his phone. 

"Yeah, no." 

He didn't want to call either. Their boss had zero patience for screw-ups, and getting their money stolen by some nobody? That was definitely a screw-up.

"We'll handle it ourselves," Hanlin insisted, though he didn't sound too sure.

Yize smirked. "And how? Ask the bank nicely? That guy beat the hell out of us, man."

They had never needed to fight for anything. Their parents were rich, throwing money at them to keep them out of trouble, not that it worked. Neither of them cared about college. What was the point? They had endless money, endless parties, endless power. Life was a game, and they were used to winning.

Until tonight.

Silence stretched between them before Hanlin muttered, wrinkling his nose. 

"Damn cigarettes. I hate that smell."

Yize shorted. "But you vape?"

Before he could dodge, Hanlin smacked him hard on the arm.

"Shut up!"

————

Yize and Hanlin sat in Hanlin's black sports car, parked outside a small 24-hour shop. The car smelled like expensive cologne and burnt tobacco.

Hanlin tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, staring at his phone. His jaw clenched. "Nothing. No withdrawals, no transactions. It's like the cards disappeared."

"That guy didn't just take our wallets for fun. He should've used them by now." He checked his own phone. Still nothing.

Hanlin's frustration grew. "We have tracking on those cards. How the hell is there no location?"

It made no sense. If someone stole their cards, they'd usually rush to spend the money before getting caught. But this guy? It was like he knew exactly how to stay hidden.

Yize cracked his knuckles. "Think he sold the info? Maybe handed the cards to some scammer?"

Hanlin clicked his tongue. "Wouldn't be surprised. But to who? If he had connections, we'd see movement."

The sound of a motorcycle roared in the distance. Hanlin's grip on the wheel tightened. If they couldn't track the guy down, they'd have to explain to their friend how they got robbed like fools. That wasn't an option.

Yize glanced out the window, watching drunk college kids stumbling out of the shop, laughing, swiping their cards without a care. "What if he's not using them?" he muttered.

Hanlin frowned. "What?"

Yize sat up. "If he was going to spend the money, he would've done it by now. What if he's waiting?"

Hanlin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Waiting for what?"

Yize's eyes darkened. "Doesn't matter. We won't sit around like idiots." He smirked. "We make him come to us."

Hanlin narrowed his eyes. "And how do we do that?"

Yize's grin widened. "We put out bait. Make him think we have something he wants."

Hanlin hesitated. This guy was smart. But they were worse.

He started the engine, the car humming low like a beast ready to hunt. "Fine. Let's lure him out and break him."