The Silent Alliance

Jiang Yeming woke up early, the pale light of dawn barely slipping through the curtains. He moved quietly, starting his day with the usual morning routine—arranging the house, tidying the living room, and preparing for whatever surprises the day might bring.

He had barely finished when Feng Xuelan stepped out of her room, already dressed in her finest casual wear. Her presence filled the hallway like a chill breeze.

"My friends are coming over this afternoon," she said, without so much as a greeting. "I'll buy ingredients later. Make sure you cook something nice. Don't embarrass me."

Jiang Yeming gave a tight nod. "What time will you be back with the groceries?"

Feng Xuelan waved him off. "You're so clingy. I said later."

He checked the time—it was 9:00 AM. He had hoped she'd return early with the groceries so he could prepare everything before heading to an important meeting. But by 11:45 AM, she was still nowhere to be seen. Just as he reached for his phone to call her, it rang.

Chen Weikang's name flashed across the screen.

"Yeming, I'm already at the restaurant," Chen said.

"I'm on my way," Jiang replied, slipping into a buttoned shirt and slacks. Without hesitation, he stepped outside and hailed a cab.

The restaurant was quiet and upscale, tucked away in the central district of Rainmere City. Jiang arrived to find Chen already seated, dressed in a sharp tailored suit. They exchanged a firm handshake before getting down to business.

"I need your help securing a land deal," Jiang said. "I want to buy through my wife's company, CrystalCore Properties. A commercial site—something stable and long-term."

Chen raised an eyebrow. "You're making moves now?"

Jiang's expression was calm, resolute. "I need leverage. And while I'm at it, I want to crush Goldrise Holdings—my wife's cousin's business. They've been stepping on too many toes."

Chen leaned back with a smirk. "That punk tried to poach one of my developers. I'd be happy to help ruin him."

"Then we coordinate," Jiang said firmly. "You send over whatever info you have on his current projects. I'll dig into his local partnerships. I want this done quietly, but thoroughly."

They spoke for another hour, going over land investments and sabotage strategies. Chen agreed to send the preliminary data soon.

Just as their meeting ended, Jiang's phone buzzed repeatedly—Feng Xuelan again. He ignored it and instead called the cab driver who had taken him to the Shadow Talons' base a few days ago.

"Meet me at the restaurant in ten minutes," he said.

When the cab arrived, Jiang directed the driver toward the Shadow Talons' hideout. As they approached the outskirts of District 9, he sensed something was off. The streets were too quiet.

He stepped out, walked cautiously toward the compound, and found the front gate slightly ajar. The usual guards were absent. His instincts flared.

Inside, the place was nearly deserted. He crouched low, sticking to the shadows, and crept toward the meeting hall. From a distance, muffled voices echoed through the building. He couldn't make out the words, so he searched for a vantage point.

A rusted metal rod near an old storage unit caught his eye. Using it for balance, he climbed up the side of a building, then carefully hoisted himself onto the roof. Avoiding every creak, he located a loose panel and peered inside through a narrow gap.

Below, Mo Heng—the Shadow Talons' boss—was addressing a group of gang members.

"There's a special offer on the table," Mo Heng said. "Ten million dollars for Jiang Yeming. This comes directly from Celestine Haven. We've invited the top gang from Ashveil City—the Shadow Talons."

Jiang Yeming's heart pounded. He recognized the name. The Shadow Talons were infamous—rumors claimed their leader once took down twenty trained men in a single fight.

"We meet tomorrow night. The payment will be handed over. Jiang Yeming needs to disappear."

As the meeting wound down, Jiang silently backed away, restored the roof panel, and climbed down. He sprinted to the main road and called the cab again.

"Do you know anything about a gang called the Shadow Talons from Ashveil City?" he asked as soon as the driver arrived.

The driver's face went pale. "You mean Fang Lie? That guy once beat twenty men in a gang match. Broke a guy's spine with a headbutt. Everyone in the underworld fears him."

Jiang's expression didn't change. "Interesting. I was just curious."

By the time he got home, it was nearly 7:00 PM. His phone screen showed fifteen unread messages from Feng Xuelan:

Where are you?

Did you forget about the food?

You're useless!

Come back and cook!

…and more.

He powered off the phone.

Inside, the house was loud with laughter and music. Feng Xuelan's friends were drinking, gossiping, and parading around in colorful dresses. Jiang entered quietly, greeting the guests, but was quickly intercepted.

"Where did you disappear to?" Feng Xuelan barked. "Wasting our family's money, are you? Useless as always!"

Her friends chuckled, whispering behind their glasses.

Lan Yueran appeared in the hallway just in time to witness her mother berating Jiang. She frowned and pulled him aside.

"Where were you, Yeming?" she asked gently.

"I went job hunting," he sighed. "Your mother said she'd bring groceries but never returned. I waited for hours, then left for an opportunity. But I got rejected. I was late."

Lan Yueran looked down. "I'm sorry. I had no idea. I thought… maybe she was right. But now I see you were trying."

He gave a tired smile. "How was your day at work?"

"Busy," she said. "But manageable."

She watched as he stepped into the kitchen and began preparing dinner. A strange ache settled in her chest. For the first time in weeks, she truly saw him—not the embarrassment her mother painted him to be, but a man quietly enduring humiliation.

She thought of the countless small things—how he never raised his voice, never retaliated. He folded her laundry at night. Double-checked her alarm. Took the blame to keep peace.

Later, after the guests had left, she wandered into the kitchen. Jiang was packing leftovers, scrubbing dishes.

"You didn't have to do all this," she said softly.

He looked over. "It's the least I can do. You've worked hard today."

"You have too," she whispered. Then added, "Thank you."

As he prepared her meal, Jiang's thoughts returned to the threat looming over them. He couldn't let her go to work tomorrow—not while danger crept closer.

He reached into his bag, pulled out a small canister of herbal sleeping pills—mild, non-addictive, but potent. Crushing one into powder, he stirred it gently into her food.

When it was ready, he knocked softly on her door.

"Dinner's ready," he said.

That night, after Feng Xuelan and her friends had left, Jiang cleaned the house and returned to his room. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he closed his eyes and began a slow breathing routine. His body radiated heat.

A part of him—one long buried—was beginning to stir.

He picked up his phone and dialed a secure number.

"Uncle Qiao," he said quietly. "I need your help. There's a threat coming. I need two top fighters and elite security from Celestine Haven. Quietly. No attention."

Uncle Qiao's voice was serious. "Understood. Send me her photo and your address."

Jiang sent the data and exhaled. Then he began training—stretches, focused movement, deep meditation—until the clock read 3:00 AM.

Before lying down, he looked at the ceiling.

"No one touches her," he murmured. "Not while I'm still breathing."