At the crack of dawn, Joong was already giving Dunk a ride back to his hometown. At first, Dunk was chatting away non-stop, but before long, he dozed off.

"DunkDunk, wake up and have some breakfast."

"Mm... Dunk doesn't wanna eat... Dunk wants to sleep."

"Then... can I take Dunk to sell?"

"NOOO I'M UP ALREADY!"

That got him scared right away. That was the only thing Dunk feared. Before getting out of the car, Joong carefully checked whether he'd applied medicine to all the exposed skin outside his clothes.

"I already put it on."

"I know, but I need to double-check."

"Oh..."

"Let's go."

This morning, they had bánh canh for breakfast. Dunk had mentioned wanting to eat it last time, so Joong made a stop just for him.

"You remembered?"

"What don't I remember?"

"Hihi, it's so good. This auntie's been selling for ages—since I was just a tiny kid."

"You're still not that grown."

"I am grown!"

"Then eat fast. If you keep holding it in your mouth, I'll—"

"Okay okay, I'm eating!"

Today Dunk ate quickly, but he choked a few times, making Joong jump. He learned his lesson and didn't rush Dunk anymore. After breakfast, Joong even swung by a convenience store to buy snacks—afraid Dunk might get hungry. He bought so much it looked like he was feeding a whole village.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Dunk sucked on a lollipop while rubbing his small belly.

"I told you to eat only when you're hungry. Look at that belly now."

"Hihi... do I look like it? Do I?"

"Hmm? Look like what?"

"Like I'm having a baby. Do I?"

Dunk kept rubbing his slightly round belly under the thin t-shirt, making Joong imagine what it'd be like if one day Dunk was really carrying his child. He'd probably be too obsessed with him to function.

"Do I? Joong didn't answer."

"You do... but whose baby would it be?"

"Isn't it yours? Me and Joong are in love."

"Yeah, yeah. Mine."

Such innocent and sincere words... how could he not love him to pieces? After about two hours of driving, they arrived. It was the same strawberry house as last time. The front door was wide open...

"Dad, Mom, I'm home!"

The stove was still burning, food boiling hard, and water was still running in the strawberry field, flooding the soil. Joong scanned the area and turned back to grab some essential items from the car.

"Joong, I don't see Mom and Dad."

"Shh. Put on a jacket. Stay behind me."

He handed him a leather jacket, put a hat on his head, and grabbed his hand to lead him behind, while he went ahead with something he'd brought along. He used the tip of his gun to open doors and check corners, but saw no one. The last place left was the room Dunk's parents had once let Joong stay in...

"If anything happens, you stay behind me. Got it? No matter what, okay?"

He whispered into Dunk's ear.

"Joong..."

"Listen to me."

"Okay."

He brought the gun to the door. Joong's guess was right—it wasn't locked. He pushed gently, and the door creaked open...

"Dad! Mom!"

"Dunk, stop right there!"

His parents were tied to chairs with a group of strangers. Dunk didn't know them—but Joong did.

"Well, well. What a twist of fate. Hand the kid over."

That voice was all too familiar—Joong's infamous rival in the hunting world. On the same turf, where Joong existed, Ally could not.

"Ally... you're late. The kid belongs to me."

"I don't care. Maybe back then you could say that to me, but not anymore. I've got his parents. You don't."

"True. So what? You know me—I don't let go once I've bitten."

"I know. But I'm not waiting. Kid—do you want your parents to live?"

Dunk shrank back, hands clinging tightly to Joong's shirt, eyes locked on his mother...

"Little one, would you really let your parents die for you?"

"Enough, Ally. Go find someone else to bother. This one's mine, got it?"

Joong's tone turned cold as Ally kept trying to talk to Dunk. His mother didn't speak, only gave him a look—a signal she always used when danger was near.

"Say something, kid."

"I... I already took Joong's money. I... I belong to Joong only."

"Haha, brave little thing. Turning your back on your parents, huh? Fine."

*Gunshot*

"DAAAD!"

"How does it feel? Is Joong's money worth this sacrifice?"

Dunk's steps faltered, but seeing his mother's eyes, he stepped back again...

"Cut it out, Ally. This kid's mine. If you know what's good for you, leave before I lose it."

"Oh really? THEN COME ON."

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Sapo🇻🇳 (22:00/ 260525)