14: CHAPTER 10: Tears Behind The Smiles.
14: CHAPTER 10: Tears Behind The Smiles.
Chapter 3: Tears Behind the Smiles The poorest hearts are often the richest in kindness.
Some smile because they are happy.
Others smile…
because they have forgotten how to cry before others.
The dining hall remained silent after Shadow returned to the table.
KING glanced toward the counter, where Sai still stood motionless, staring at the golden coin lying before him.
His small hands trembled slightly.
For a child who had struggled merely to survive, a single gold coin was enough to change several months of his life.
Yet…
Instead of joy…
There was hesitation.
Shadow calmly poured himself a cup of tea.
“He won’t keep it.” KING quietly replied, “Neither will his sister.” The twins had already reached the same conclusion.
After all…
People who had lived honestly their entire lives rarely accepted kindness without questioning it.
A few minutes later…
The aroma of freshly cooked food slowly filled the hotel.
The fragrance spread through every corner of the empty hall.
Steamed rice…
Freshly grilled meat…
Vegetable soup…
Simple dishes.
Yet every bite carried the warmth of a home that refused to surrender.
Jiang Yi carefully placed each dish upon the table.
“I’m sorry…” “This is all we could prepare on such short notice.” Shadow looked at the meal.
“It looks good.” A faint smile appeared on Jiang Yi’s face.
“Thank you.” For a brief moment…
The empty hotel almost felt alive again.
Meanwhile…
Behind the kitchen wall…
Sai quietly closed the wooden door.
He turned toward his sister and slowly opened his hand.
The golden coin rested in his palm.
Jiang Yi’s eyes widened.
“…Sai…” “Where did you get this?” “The black-haired big brother gave it to us.” “He said one coin is for the rooms.” “And the other…” “For preparing food.” Without hesitation…
Jiang Yi picked up the coin.
“No.” “We can’t accept this.” Sai lowered his head.
“…Again.” She looked at him.
“What?” “We’re doing it again.” “Sai…” “We’ve always lived honestly.” “Our father taught us never to accept more than we deserve.” The little boy remained silent.
His small fists gradually tightened.
“Our father…” “He always said kindness should never expect repayment.” She smiled sadly.
“And because of that…” “We should also remain kind.” The silence inside the room became unbearably heavy.
Then…
Sai suddenly exploded.
“Enough!!” His voice echoed through the tiny kitchen.
Tears streamed down his face.
“You always say that!” “You always talk about Father!” “What did Father’s kindness ever give us?” Jiang Yi froze.
Sai’s breathing became ragged.
“He helped everyone!” “He gave away our savings!” “He fed strangers!” “He treated sick people for free!” “And when he became ill…” The boy’s voice cracked.
“…Where were they?” “…Where…” “Were…” “They…” No answer came.
Sai continued crying.
“Not one person came back.” “Not one.” “He died…” “…Without anyone helping him.” His trembling hands clenched tightly.
“When Father died…” “All we had left…” “…Was this hotel.” “We worked every day.” “We smiled every day.” “And then those bastards arrived.” “They threatened everyone.” “They forced customers away.” “They want our family hotel…” His voice became quieter.
“And…” “They want you.” Jiang Yi’s body trembled.
“I…” “I know…” Sai shook his head violently.
“No!” “You don’t know!” “We haven’t eaten properly for days!” “We’ve sold almost everything!” “And you’re still trying to refuse someone’s kindness!” “I’ll never become like Father!” “I’ll never…” “He was…” Before he could finish— Slap!
The sound echoed throughout the room.
Sai stood frozen.
His cheek slowly turned red.
He looked at his sister with disbelief.
For the first time in his life…
She had slapped him.
Jiang Yi’s own hand trembled violently.
Tears rolled silently down her cheeks.
“Don’t…” “…Ever…” “…Speak about Father like that again.” Her voice was barely audible.
“He gave us everything he had.” “He loved us.” “He protected us.” “He was the greatest father we could ever ask for.” She slowly took the golden coin from Sai’s hand.
“I’ll return this.” Without waiting for a reply…
She quietly walked toward the dining hall.
The moment she stepped outside…
She leaned against the wall.
Her legs gave way.
She slowly slid to the floor.
Looking at the hand that had struck her little brother…
She burst into tears.
“I’m sorry…” “I’m sorry…” “I’m sorry, Sai…” “I’m sorry…” “If I were stronger…” “If I could protect you…” “…You wouldn’t have to suffer like this.” Behind the kitchen door…
Sai also collapsed onto the floor.
Covering his face…
The little boy cried alone.
Separated by nothing more than a wooden wall…
Brother and sister wept…
Each believing they had failed the other.
Neither of them realized…
Every single word…
Had been heard.
The extraordinary hearing of KING and Shadow left nothing hidden.
Silence filled the dining hall.
Neither brother touched the food before them.
KING quietly lowered his eyes.
“…” Shadow remained expressionless.
Yet somewhere deep within his calm gaze…
A forgotten memory surfaced.
For a brief instant…
He remembered Warzo.
He remembered laughter.
He remembered family dinners.
He remembered a home…
That no longer existed.
The memory disappeared as quickly as it came.
Several minutes later…
Jiang Yi returned.
Although her face had been washed…
Her swollen eyes betrayed everything.
She gently placed the golden coin onto the table.
“Young Masters…” “I’m truly grateful.” “But…” “…I cannot accept this.” “It is far too valuable.” She forced a smile.
Then noticed something strange.
Neither brother had touched their meal.
Her smile faltered.
“…Did…” “…Did the food not suit your taste?” “If you’d like…” “I can prepare something else.” Still…
Neither replied.
They simply looked at her quietly.
Jiang Yi became increasingly uncomfortable.
She was about to speak again— BOOM!!
The hotel doors exploded inward.
Broken wood scattered across the floor.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall.
Ten men entered one after another.
Their expressions were filled with arrogance.
Their leader sneered as he looked around.
“So…” “You’re still pretending to run this place?” Jiang Yi’s face instantly turned pale.
She unconsciously stepped backward.
The man laughed.
“The deadline is over.” “Our boss has grown tired of waiting.” “You’ll hand over this hotel…” “And then you’ll come with us.” “If you’re obedient…” “Perhaps your little brother gets to live.” Sai immediately ran from the kitchen.
A small knife trembled in his hands.
His body was shaking.
But he still stepped in front of Jiang Yi.
“No one…” “…Is taking my sister.” The gangsters burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!” “Look at this little hero!” “Planning to save his sister?” The leader slowly walked forward.
“Someone should teach the child…” “…That villains are stronger than heroes.” He finally noticed the twins sitting peacefully at the table.
His smile disappeared.
“…You.” “I ordered everyone to stay away from this hotel.” “And yet…” “You dared ignore me?” KING calmly continued drinking his tea.
Shadow didn’t even look at him.
The complete disregard instantly enraged the leader.
He took another step.
“You bastards—” Suddenly…
A terrifying pressure descended.
It wasn’t visible.
It wasn’t tangible.
Yet…
It was everywhere.
The leader’s pupils shrank.
His breathing stopped.
His heart nearly burst from his chest.
Before him…
The calm young man seated at the table slowly lifted his eyes.
KING’s gaze met his.
Nothing more.
No movement.
No threat.
Only…
Killing intent.
An endless ocean of death crashed upon the gangster’s soul.
He could see mountains of corpses.
Rivers flowing with blood.
Countless warriors kneeling before an unseen king.
His legs gave out instantly.
Warm liquid spread beneath him.
He had wet himself.
His subordinates felt only a tiny fraction of that terrifying aura.
Even that was enough.
Their faces turned deathly pale.
The next instant— The killing intent vanished.
Fresh air finally entered their lungs.
The leader gasped desperately.
“…Run…” “RUN!!” Without daring to look back…
All ten men fled in absolute terror.
The hotel fell silent once again.
Jiang Yi stood frozen.
She couldn’t understand what had just happened.
Sai, however…
Slowly turned toward the twins.
Although he couldn’t comprehend the power they possessed…
He knew exactly who had saved them.
For the second time.
His eyes silently spoke the words his mouth could not.
Thank you.