The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of asphalt and distant car exhaust. Su Chen ate his noodles in silence, the warmth of the broth spreading through his body, but his mind remained unsettled.
That feeling hadn't faded.
Someone was watching him.
He didn't glance around immediately. Instead, he remained calm, lowering his chopsticks and pretending to focus on his food. Years of experience had taught him that the best way to deal with an unknown threat was to let them make the first move.
The street was mostly empty at this hour, only the occasional car passing by. But as Su Chen listened carefully, he caught it—faint footsteps, stopping just as he stopped eating.
Not a coincidence.
He sighed internally.
So much for an ordinary life.
---
The Encounter
"You're a careful one, aren't you?"
A voice broke the silence.
Su Chen finally looked up.
A man stood a few meters away, partially hidden in the shadows of a flickering streetlamp. He was dressed in a dark hoodie and jeans, his posture casual but his eyes sharp. There was no immediate hostility in his stance, but there was something… off about him.
Su Chen wiped his mouth with a napkin and tossed the empty cup into a nearby trash bin.
"Depends on who's asking," he said evenly.
The man chuckled, stepping forward. His face became clearer—a strong jawline, short black hair, and a thin scar running down his left cheek.
"You don't remember me, do you?"
Su Chen frowned slightly.
He didn't.
"Should I?"
The man shrugged. "Not really. We never met properly, but I've heard of you. Su Chen, the man who vanished before he could rise."
Su Chen's gaze darkened slightly.
"Who are you?"
The man smirked. "Just someone who keeps an eye on interesting people."
"That doesn't answer my question."
The man raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I'm not here to fight. Just… curious. Someone like you, sitting here, eating instant noodles, looking like a man who's lost everything."
He tilted his head.
"But people like you don't stay lost for long, do they?"
Su Chen didn't respond immediately. His mind was already working through the possibilities. This man clearly knew something about him—or at least, the version of him from before.
Which meant Su Chen couldn't take this lightly.
"What's your point?"
The man smiled. "No point. Just an observation."
Then, just as casually as he appeared, he turned around.
"Be seeing you, Su Chen."
And with that, he disappeared into the night.
---
Lingering Questions
Su Chen sat in silence for a moment.
This wasn't normal.
He had barely begun his new life, yet already, people were paying attention to him.
Why?
Who was that man?
And more importantly…
Why did he sound so sure that Su Chen wouldn't remain ordinary?
He let out a slow breath and stood up.
Maybe he was right.
Maybe fate wouldn't let him go so easily.
But Su Chen still had a choice.
At least… for now.