A short while later, Thien and Bao Uyen returned home. When they entered, his father and Uncle Ut had not yet returned; they were likely still at the construction site. Bao Uyen helped Thien sit down in a chair.
"How do you feel?"
"Are you okay?"
Thien sat back and let out a long breath. "…Not dead yet."
Just then, his father and Uncle Ut walked in. Seeing Thien covered in wounds, his father gasped in shock. "What happened to you? Why are you covered in bruises and cuts?"
Bao Uyen quickly spoke up. "Uncle, Brother Thien was protecting me from some thugs. That's why he got hurt."
Thien's father flew into a rage. "Which bastards dared to touch my son? Just wait—I'll go straight to their den and beat them senseless!"
Thien intervened. "Dad, I'm fine… don't worry."
His father was still fuming. "How can I not worry? They beat you like this; I can't just let it go."
Bao Uyen added, "Uncle, please don't worry. Those thugs were already taken away to the police station."
Only then did his father's anger begin to simmer down. "Well, good."
Uncle Ut then spoke up. "Alright, Brother Sau. The thugs are caught, so don't worry too much. Thien's injuries aren't too severe." He then looked at Bao Uyen. "Uyen, take Thien upstairs so he can rest."
Bao Uyen nodded. "Yes, Dad. I will."
She supported Thien as they went upstairs. Once they were gone, Uncle Ut invited Thien's father to sit down.
"The current project is finished, thanks to your help, Brother Sau."
Thien's father took a sip of tea. "You're exaggerating. I didn't do much, just helped drive those wooden stakes."
Uncle Ut smiled. "Don't say that. You've helped me a lot. Now that the work here is done, tomorrow we'll head to the site in Quang Yen."
Thien's father was surprised. "So soon? We just finished here and we're leaving for there tomorrow?"
Uncle Ut laughed. "The sooner the better. The client is rushing us, so we have to move fast, Brother Sau."
Thien's father nodded. "I understand. We'll head out tomorrow then."
Upstairs, Thien lay on the bed while Bao Uyen sat beside him, her hand still tightly clutching his. He tilted his head to look at her.
"It's late. Go back to your room and sleep."
"I don't want to," Bao Uyen replied, her grip tightening. "I won't let you disappear again."
Thien smiled. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Bao Uyen turned her face away. "I don't care. Tonight, I'm staying here. I'm not going anywhere else." She leaned her head against his hand. "Besides… I'm still scared… from what happened earlier."
Her hand trembled. Seeing this, Thien sighed. "Alright. You can sleep here with me tonight."
Bao Uyen's eyes lit up. "Really? You're really letting me sleep here?"
Thien gave a faint smile. "If I didn't, you'd probably just sit there until morning."
Bao Uyen scrambled onto the bed and lay down next to him. Thien gently stroked her hair. "Alright, go to sleep."
Feeling the warmth from his hand, she curled up and hugged him, gradually drifting into a deep slumber. Thien looked at her sleeping face and smiled tenderly before closing his eyes and falling asleep himself.
Elsewhere, deep beneath the river inside the black warship, the Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon held a dagger. Memories of the battle with Thien flashed through his mind, especially that strange whirlpool. His eyes glowed a menacing red.
"Next time… you won't be so lucky."
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window. Thien snapped his eyes open, feeling the familiar numbness in his arm. He looked over; Bao Uyen was still asleep, still clinging to his arm. Thien could only smile helplessly.
"This little girl..."
The slight movement caused Bao Uyen to stir. She opened her eyes to see Thien right in front of her. "Brother Thien… good morning."
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. Thien stared at her, making her blush slightly. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Thien shook his head. "Nothing."
Just then, Thien's father called from downstairs. "Thien! Uyen! Get up! It's morning! Wash up and come down for breakfast!"
"Coming!" Thien shouted back.
The two looked at each other and shared a smile before heading out of the room. At breakfast, Thien's father said, "Eat quickly. We're heading to Quang Yen in a bit."
Thien was curious. "Wait, what are we going there for, Dad?"
"Your Uncle Ut wants me to help drive the stakes for the project there," his father replied.
Thien nodded as he ate. "Oh, I see." Bao Uyen, meanwhile, stole glances at Thien throughout the meal.
A while later, Uncle Ut arrived in his car. The three of them piled in. Thien's father sat in the front, while Thien sat in the back. Uncle Ut looked at Bao Uyen. "Uyen, come sit up here with me."
Bao Uyen hugged Thien's arm. "No, I want to sit with Brother Thien."
Uncle Ut was surprised, but Thien's father spoke up. "Let it be, Uncle Ut. Bao Uyen is grown up now; she can sit where she wants. Don't force her."
Uncle Ut agreed. As the car started, Bao Uyen sat close to Thien, making him sigh in helpless resignation. The car rolled out of the gate, carrying two people and a destiny that had reached the point of no return.
Deep beneath the river, inside the warship's bridge, a black-clad soldier looked at the screen. "Report: The target is on the move."
"Destination… Quang Yen."
The Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon stared at the screen, his eyes turning blood-red. "I didn't expect you to come here yourself."
He rose from his seat and walked toward the monitor. "…This time… I will drag you down to the very bottom."