Her Rebirth.

In the private room, Kai lounged casually in one of the seats, legs crossed, arm draped over the backrest as if he owned the place. Across from him sat Ye Jin, and beside her stood the blond man.

So they were together, huh?

After the game, Kai had led her to this room to discuss the deal, and to his surprise, the blonde man followed just behind her.

Ye Jin, noticing Kai’s curiosity, introduced him.

"He’s Shen Xue," she said, tipping her chin toward the man. "My right-hand."

Shen Xue gave a small bow.

Kai raised a brow. "Right-hand man? He looks more like your personal bodyguard."

Ye Jin smiled but didn’t answer. Instead, she reached for her wine glass, and Shen Xue, without a word, brought out a napkin the moment she took a sip. She didn’t seem surprised—it seemed to be routine. She accepted it, staying still as he dabbed the corner of her lips gently.

Kai sneered inwardly as he watched the exchange. Right-hand man, huh? He definitely wants to be more than that.

It was so obvious, especially the way his eyes were filled with an eerie devotion. But it seemed the recipient of such devotion wasn’t aware of it.

Kai reached into his pocket, about to pull out a cigarette, then he paused. He remembered something he had read in one of the files his people had dug up about Ye Jin. She hated cigarettes. The scent, the smoke, everything about them.

He smirked faintly and slid the pack back into his pocket.

Just like his little butterfly.

Ye Jin leaned back once Shen Xue was done, crossing her legs. "Let’s talk business. Hei Long is willing to proceed with the arms deal. High-grade weapons, clean serials, discreet delivery. But the terms need updating. I’m not handing out firepower unless the Song family gives something in return."

Kai nodded slowly. "And what exactly are you asking for?"

"Territory," Ye Jin said, her voice cool and even. "Access to the East docks. Your ports are clean, well-guarded, and hard to track. My shipments need safer passage."

Kai’s eyes narrowed slightly. "That’s bold. The East docks are one of our tightest routes. Letting your men in means exposing ourselves."

Ye Jin gave a lazy shrug. "So does arming you with over fifty million in weaponry. It’s a mutual risk."

"We can find other suppliers."

"But not with Hei Long’s quality," Ye Jin countered smoothly, her eyes boring through Kai. "And not with our reach. You know that."

Ye Jin took another sip of wine, slower this time. Shen Xue offered the napkin again.

"And in return for access to the docks?" Kai asked.

Ye Jin leaned forward. "A mutual pact. We’ll give you partial access to Hei Long’s routes through the southern quarter. And—" her eyes gleamed—"we fight beside you. If someone dares to move against the Song family, Hei Long moves with you."

Kai’s brows lifted. "And you expect the same in return?"

"Of course," Ye Jin replied. "You gain weapons, an alliance, and added influence. I gain safe passage and reinforcement. Think of it as... war insurance."

Kai hummed in response and fell into deep thought, tapping his finger intermittently on the table before him. After what felt like hours, he finally spoke.

"Access to our eastern docks. In exchange, Hei Long will supply the Song family with military-grade equipment at twenty percent below market price."

Ye Jin frowned in displeasure. "Selling it at 20 percent below the market price will leave us with a loss."

"So is giving you access to our eastern dock," Kai retorted. "The eastern dock is crucial and vital to the Song family, so giving the Hei Long gang access is already a loss on our side. Our eastern dock cannot be compared to your southern quarter, and you know it. Besides, making use of our eastern dock will grant you profit that will over time cover the loss."

Ye Jin didn’t speak right away. Her expression was unreadable, as she weighed the deal.

Kai waited. He didn’t rush her. He knew she wasn’t to be easily rushed or flattered.

After a while, she finally spoke. "Still, 20 percent is too much. Let’s reduce it to 5 percent."

Kai shook his head. "I can only settle at fifteen percent. Or else my Song family will lose more than necessary."

She turned to Shen Xue, who then whispered into her ears. When he pulled back, Ye Jin nodded once. "Done. Access to the East docks. In return, we share a defense pact, and we sell to the Song family at 15 percent below the market price, and you have access to our Southern Quarter. Hei Long and the Song family move as one if either of us is attacked."

Kai smiled, slow and satisfied, raising his glass high. "Pleasure doing business with you."

Their glasses clinked softly.

As they drank, he watched again, noting every one of Shen Xue’s subtle movements. The way he kept his eyes on Ye Jin—not like a subordinate, but a man barely holding back something dangerous from lashing out, like he wanted to swallow her whole.

Kai leaned back again, letting his expression remain unreadable as he enjoyed the sight before him.

After taking half of her wine, Ye Jin dropped her glass and said, "The contract will be sent to you tomorrow morning."

Kai clasped his hands together, looking at her seriously. "Send it to the old man."

Ye Jin raised a brow. "The old man? You mean Song Yue?"

"Yeah, him."

"Why not you? Besides, you are the one who very much understands the contents and context of our agreement." And from the insider information she had gotten, Kai was slated to be the next head of the Song family. But she didn’t say this out loud, as doing so might lead Kai to become suspicious of them.

Kai’s lips curled into a small smile and he answered,

"Because I have a little butterfly waiting for me."