Chapter 4 Shopping Is Also a Provocation!

James lowered his head, looking into Xavier's eyes, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

That smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet Xavier felt cold sweat running down his back.

"You recognized me?"

James asked softly.

Xavier nodded frantically.

James let go of his hand and patted Xavier's shoulder, like an old friend:

"Then let's go. Lead the way."

Xavier stood up on shaky legs, glanced at Wesley still lying on the ground, and swallowed hard.

He suddenly remembered that at the end of that video, there was a line of small text—

"Mr. M, current controller of Apex Global Enterprises. The youngest kingpin in underground world history. Personality... appears gentle on the surface, but extremely dangerous in combat. Recommendation: surrender immediately upon encounter."

Xavier now felt that this advice made a lot of sense.

At that moment, in the basement of the white house, Bianca was staring blankly at the test tube in front of her.

Cleo bounced down the stairs:

"Bianca! James says he's taking us to the supermarket! He's finally back! Don't you think he's gotten more handsome? More manly, right? You think so too, don't you?"

Bianca didn't answer, just responded softly, then lowered her head, pretending to focus on her experiment.

But her hands curled up slightly again.

Just like six years ago, when that soaking wet man opened his eyes and said his first words to her:

"Thank you."

She had thought then that this person, who survived being shot and falling into the sea, must be destined to be the world's main character. She would remember him for a lifetime.

And Cleo, noticing Bianca's slightly reddened ear tips, smiled quietly.

She suddenly felt that getting Bianca and James together might be a very interesting thing.

She just didn't know yet that with some feelings, while you're playing matchmaker, you end up getting caught up in them yourself...

Supermarket

Xavier frowned, rubbing his numb arm that had been hit, while Wesley's rambling complaints filled his ears, his tone full of resentment and pain.

"Didn't that guy tell us to take him to the Davis Villa? Why is he saying we're going to the supermarket now?"

"That really hurt when he hit me, he didn't hold back at all. Where the hell did this guy come from?"

"Let's just run for it. And he's making me push the cart!"

"Do I look like someone who pushes carts? I mean, it's one thing that I can't beat him, but how come you can't either?"

"Aren't you a three-time golden belt champion? Say something, Xavier!"

Wesley rubbed his chest while sneaking glances at James, who was accompanying the two girls not far away. His eyes showed both fear and anger, and the pain in his chest where James had punched him grew stronger, feeling like a stone was pressing down on it, making it hard to breathe.

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt, and he couldn't help but sidle up to Xavier again, lowering his voice to continue complaining.

"Hey, what are you looking at? Don't tell me you're staring at that woman, Xavier?"

Wesley nudged Xavier's arm with his elbow, his tone somewhat annoyed.

"What?"

Xavier answered absentmindedly.

"Fuck! I just said all that and you didn't hear a word?"

"I said with so many people in the supermarket, let's just leave. Why are we following him? Are you really going to take him to the Davis Villa?"

"And why do you keep staring at that guy instead of those two women? Is he that good-looking?"

"Look what he did to me. My chest still hurts! Am I going to die?!"

"He used a clever technique. You'll be fine."

Xavier finally looked away, glancing at Wesley coolly, his tone calm.

"What do you mean fine?! I coughed up blood, okay!"

Wesley got anxious, his voice rising involuntarily before he quickly covered his mouth, looking around nervously, afraid James might hear.

"Look at my mouth, there's still blood on it. That guy hit way too hard, showed no mercy at all."

The two stood near the shelves not far from the supermarket entrance. People were coming and going around them, the shelves stocked with various goods, the air mixed with the sweet scent of snacks and the smell of fresh produce.

Wesley and Xavier looked at each other. Both had something to say, but when the words reached their lips, they swallowed them back. Their expressions became complicated, with a hint of hesitation and wariness in their eyes.

Xavier wanted to say something but stopped himself.

Wesley was a blabbermouth.

Besides, James's identity was just his guess—he wasn't entirely certain.

What if he wasn't that Mr. M?

...

Wesley couldn't hold back and leaned in again, asking in a low voice,

"What's up? Say something. Are we leaving or not?"

"We can't leave."

Xavier said in a low voice, barely audible to anyone but them, his eyes showing a trace of gravity, his gaze never leaving James's figure.

"Why not? Are you scared of him?"

Wesley looked confused, his tone full of doubt.

"We couldn't beat him earlier because of the limited environment. He ambushed us."

"Now there are so many people in the supermarket, cameras everywhere, and so many customers. I don't believe he'd dare to make a move."

"We didn't dare break into that woman's house because of strict laws, right? He wouldn't dare hit someone in a supermarket, would he?"

"If the police catch him, he won't get off easy either."

Xavier shook his head gently, his tone firm.

"He's different."

"What? Did he knock your brain loose?"

Wesley looked incredulous, reaching out to touch Xavier's forehead, but Xavier dodged.

"Wesley, trust me, he's different."

Xavier's eyes showed seriousness, his tone growing heavier.

"His skills, his presence—they're not like an ordinary person's. He didn't use his full strength earlier. If he really wanted to deal with us, we wouldn't have stood a chance."

Wesley, seeing Xavier's serious expression, felt his confidence waver a bit. He muttered,

"Alright, alright, alright. You've always been like this since we were kids—once you decide something, you won't change your mind."

"I can't take it anymore. Buy me some ointment to rub on it, and get me some painkillers. It hurts so bad. If this keeps up, my chest is going to shatter."

On the other side, Cleo had her arm linked with James's, her face full of excitement, like a child who got candy, skipping lightly between the aisles.

Her eyes sparkled as they swept over every item on the shelves. Whatever caught her eye—whether snacks, drinks, or little accessories—she tossed into the small cart beside her without hesitation.

Every shelf she passed was stripped of items that ended up in the cart.

Bianca followed alongside, her expression gentle, holding a shopping basket. From time to time, she would take out some high-calorie, unhealthy foods that Cleo had put in the cart and gently place them back on the shelves, her movements soft and patient.

Noticing Bianca's actions, Cleo pouted, her tone carrying a hint of wheedling:

"Bianca, we finally get to come out, and you're still controlling my weight?"

"Besides, James is paying today. I want to really indulge myself."

"You don't know—you've kept me cooped up at home all this time. I can't even go out freely. I'm going crazy."

"Now that I finally have a chance to come out, can't you just let me eat well for once?"