Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 319

Chapter 319: Ch 319: You are on a mission
“Can I back down from this mission before you tell us about it? Someone would be coming to get me home soon. I would like to head back with them.”

Torn between duty and longing, Rika calmly asked the old man in front of her this question. Her intention was clear – to stay behind, longing to be found by her friends and family.

But the old man’s smile was scary, and he looked a little ticked off from Rika’s questioning.

“Hmm, you want to stay back? That will be a little difficult. I was thinking of sending only you and Zhu Li as backup. So, I cannot afford to hold you back in the base. You both will be departing for the mission in fifteen minutes.”

The dominant alpha did not lose his smile, but Rika’s instincts told her that any rebuttal she could make here would be useless.

The old man had decided for her, and it would be in Rika’s best interest to follow his will for now.

“Uncle, do we have to send Rika on one of our missions? She might be here right now but is not part of our family. Getting her involved could complicate things for us.”

Zhu Li tried to convince his uncle that having Rika with them during the mission was a bad idea. He knew his uncle would not listen, but he had to try his best.

As expected, his uncle, a man of unwavering authority, made no attempts to look his way or even acknowledge that he had heard his nephew.

“Get going before I am forced to act. I hope you will make your way back unharmed and after completing your mission. If you fail, then you don’t have to come back.”

Zhi Li only sighed tiredly before he forced Rika to follow after him.

The pair last saw a smiling face looking at them from behind the door before it was forced shut.

“I am sorry about my uncle! I don’t know what has gotten…no, he was always such a free spirit. But I don’t know why he is doing all this to you. I will talk to him about it once we return after our mission. So don’t feel bad about being stuck with me.”

Zhu Li was quick to apologize for his uncle’s behavior. His red ears betrayed how embarrassed he felt after what he saw his uncle do.

Rika felt sorry for Zhu Li, but she was also not foolish enough to believe that his uncle did all this on a whim. The older man had a plan he was following, and both Rika and Zhu Li were mere pawns.

“Come! I will take you to the briefing, and then we can head out. You can think of it as a picnic for now. You won’t have to do anything even if you follow me. I promise I will take care of everything.”

Zhu Li promised, and Rika did not doubt that the older man would keep his promise.

But simultaneously, she knew she could escape from Zhu Li if she timed things right.

‘Sorry Zhu Li. I like you just fine, but I like my freedom more. You will have to endure a little punishment for losing me, but I am sure you will be just finding even if you face something horrible.’

Zhu Li was a tough person, so he would be alright and survive the aftermath of Rika’s betrayal…hopefully.

…

“Boss, are you sure you want to send Zhu Li on a mission with that ‘Guest’? She is not loyal to us and can try to run away. What are you going to do if that happens?”

The triad boss looked at his subordinate with narrow eyes before punching him hard.

“Zhu Li will be able to handle it. I only sent him and our guest together on the mission because I know Zhu Li. My nephew might be rough around the edges, but he knows how to get his work done.”

The triad boss spoke confidently.

He trusted Zhu Li to bring Rika Goodwill back to him once it was time to return. But before that, he needed to face why he sent her away.

“Listen! We’ll soon be getting a significant visit from someone. Ensure you serve them the best and don’t let them feel neglected. We need to make a good first impression to our future clients.”

The dominant alpha had calculated his actions well. He had left enough clues to lead the curious fish into his trap.

His insider informants had told him that the head of the prominent four families was coming to meet him.

This was exciting news and an opportunity for him to further his agenda in this part of the world.

In about half an hour, he got the first message from the visitors.

“Boss, someone is here to meet you! Should we send them inside? What about checking? Should we check them for weapons?”

The subordinate who contracted the boss asked him.

“There is no need to do anything. Just send them all inside now, and don’t alienate them. These people would become our biggest supporters in the future.”

He had it all figured out. The dominant alpha had chosen his path, and he would ensure that no one ever looked down on him.

‘I have ruled the underworld of Chinese triads for years, and it is not because I am a dominant alpha. It is time for me to show these kids that age does matter quite a bit in our industry.’

The old man straightened his back and waited for the party to enter his den.

These people might have entered on their terms but would only leave on his. The old man would make sure he had the advantage here.

“Welcome, dear friends! Please let me know how I can help you! Ah, why are you standing like this? Please take a seat right now. Now! Shall we begin our meeting? I am sure there is a lot you want to talk about with me.”

Ren Li asked politely, but none of what he said was a suggestion. He was forcing these people to sit and talk things out with him.