The salty wind swept across the pier, carrying the cries of gulls and the low rumble of engines from a cargo ship cutting through the gray waters of Heijin Island. On the dock, Park Dae-geun stood with his hands clasped behind his back, flanked by two of his most trusted men. At a hundred fifty-five centimeters, he was short, but his body was thick with muscle, the product of years of street fights and manual labor. His face was plain, almost ugly, with a bulbous nose and a thin scar cutting through his left eyebrow. He wore a cheap black suit that strained at the shoulders, and his eyes were fixed on the approaching vessel.
The ship was a modest Chinese freighter, rust-streaked and weathered, but the flag on the mast—the coiled green dragon of the Qinglong Gang—made it clear that this was no ordinary cargo run. As the gangplank lowered with a metallic groan, two figures stepped into the light. The first was a woman who commanded attention without trying. Yi Mei'er was tall, a full hundred seventy-five centimeters, with cascading wavy brown hair that caught the afternoon sun. She wore a simple white linen dress that did nothing to hide the generous curve of her breasts, the narrow waist, and the wide, shapely hips that swayed with each step. Her face was beautiful in a warm, motherly way, with large eyes that held a soft, knowing gaze. She was the eldest daughter of the Qinglong Gang's boss, raised to take over the largest criminal organization on the island.
Beside her walked Li Qing, the eldest son of the Xuanwu Gang's boss. He was shorter than her by a good five centimeters, with a lean, almost frail frame. His nickname was Gui Yi—Turtle One—a name he'd earned for his patient, steady nature rather than any physical prowess. Despite the disparity in their statures, he walked close to her, his hand lightly touching the small of her back. They were engaged, a political union between two powerful Chinese gangs that had been allies for nearly a century. But there was genuine affection between them, a bond forged in childhood.
Park Dae-geun strode forward, his footsteps heavy on the weathered planks. "Welcome, First Miss Yi, First Master Li," he said, bowing his head respectfully. His voice was a low gravel, the kind that came from years of shouting orders in smoky rooms. "I have reserved a seaside inn for your stay. Please, allow me to escort you."
Yi Mei'er inclined her head gracefully. "Thank you, Leader Park. We appreciate your hospitality."
Li Qing nodded, his eyes scanning the dock, the warehouses, the distant skyline of Yedong City. "Nice place you have here. We've never had a chance to see it ourselves."
Park Dae-geun gestured toward a black sedan idling at the edge of the pier. "The city has its charms, though it's not as grand as the mainland. Still, we take pride in what we have."
They walked together, the three of them, followed by a discreet escort of Park's men. The sedan was spacious inside, leather seats that smelled of cheap air freshener and cigarette smoke. As the car pulled away from the docks, Park Dae-geun cleared his throat.
"I will speak plainly, if you permit," he began, his hands resting on his knees. "The Daimon Family has long been a modest but respected presence on this island. We manage our territory, we keep the peace, we pay our respects to the larger powers. But recently, we've had a problem."
Yi Mei'er turned her head toward him, her expression calm and attentive. "The Chikuzu Group?"
Park nodded grimly. "They came three years ago, claiming they could offer services we couldn't. They undercut our operations, threatened our suppliers, and when my father refused their offer of 'partnership,' they had him attacked. He's still recovering. The doctor says he may never walk properly again."
Li Qing leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "We've heard rumors. But they're still a small operation, aren't they? The Qinglong and Xuanwu gangs have been on this island long before they arrived."
"Small, yes," Park said, his voice tightening. "But they have backing from the mainland Japanese syndicates. And they're patient. They've been infiltrating the underground commerce here—drugs, weapons, human trafficking. They want to push the Daimon Family out entirely, and then they'll turn their sights on the larger powers. I propose we form an alliance. The three of us, against the Chikuzu."
Yi Mei'er was silent for a moment, her fingers absently smoothing the hem of her dress. "We have observed their movements," she said slowly. "They are indeed ambitious. But my father would not want to act rashly. We need to gather more intelligence before we commit to open confrontation."
Park's face fell slightly. "I understand your caution, Miss Yi. But time is not on our side. Every day they grow stronger."
Li Qing reached out and placed a hand on Park's shoulder. "Brother, I get your pain. I get that you're fighting for your family's legacy. But the Qinglong Gang is still the biggest power on this island. Those Chikuzu punks can't do much in a month or two. How about this: let's take a few days to see the city. Show us around. We've never stepped foot on this island as leaders—usually our men handle things here. It's a chance for us to relax, enjoy the sea breeze. Then we'll talk business."
Park Dae-geun stared at him for a long moment, then let out a rough sigh. "You're right. I've been too tense. Let's go to the Qinglong and Xuanwu branch offices first, pay respects, let your people know you're here."
The sedan wound through the narrow streets of Yedong City, past neon-lit shops and shabby apartment blocks, until they reached the commercial district where both gangs maintained discreet headquarters. The visits were brief—handshakes, introductions, a few words of encouragement to the local captains. Then Park drove them to the coast.
The seaside inn was a modest two-story structure painted white, with blue trim and a small balcony overlooking the waves. It was not the Glasses Five-Star Hotel Park had originally intended, but he explained that the hotel was under renovation and would reopen soon. "When it does, I will welcome you both as proper hosts," he said, bowing as they stepped out.
"Thank you for everything, Leader Park," Yi Mei'er said.
"Take your rest. I'll come by tomorrow to see if there's anything you need." Park got back into the sedan and drove off, leaving the two of them alone.
Inside the room, the furnishings were simple but clean: a queen-sized bed covered with a floral duvet, a wooden wardrobe, a small table with a lamp. Li Qing flopped onto the bed, grabbed the remote, and turned on the television to a local news channel. The anchor spoke in rapid Korean, but he didn't bother following the words.
Yi Mei'er disappeared into the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the room. Minutes later, the door opened, and she emerged wearing a black lace babydoll that left little to the imagination. The fabric clung to her curves, highlighting the generous swell of her breasts and the shadowed valley between. She walked across the room with an easy, sensual grace, her wet hair slicked back, droplets of water trailing down her neck.
She climbed onto the bed, stretching her long body beside Li Qing, her arms reaching above her head. "You know," she murmured, her voice low and playful, "I've been thinking about you all day. The way you stood on that deck, looking so serious and handsome."
Li Qing turned off the TV, his eyes tracing the lines of her body. He smiled, a little embarrassed. "I was thinking about you too."
She rolled onto her side and traced a finger down his chest. "Then show me."
He kissed her, slowly at first, then with more urgency. His hands moved over her lace-covered hips, her thighs. She reached down and unfastened his pants, revealing his erection, small even at full arousal—eight centimeters at most. Yi Mei'er's hand closed around it gently, her thumb stroking the tip. She had never known any other man, had never wondered if there was anything to compare. To her, this was simply him.
She lowered her head and took him into her mouth, her lips sliding down the length of him, her tongue swirling. Li Qing gasped, his hands tangling in her wet hair, his breath coming in ragged bursts. "Ah... that's... that's good..."
After a minute, she rose and straddled him, her thighs pressed against his hips. She positioned herself and slowly sank down, enveloping him inside the warm, slick folds of her body. Her breasts swayed as she began to move, her hips rocking back and forth. Even at his fullest, he could not reach her deepest places, but she didn't mind. She loved the feeling of him inside her, the way he gasped her name, the tenderness in his eyes.
Five minutes passed. He climaxed with a shudder, a thin, nearly odorless emission, and collapsed against the pillows, trembling. "Oh... oh, I need to rest for half a month after that," he breathed.
Yi Mei'er leaned down and kissed his forehead, her hair falling around them like a curtain. "You did well," she whispered. She lay beside him, her arm draped across his chest, her face nestled in the crook of his neck. They fell asleep like that, tangled together, the sound of the waves rolling in through the open window.
They were truly a pair, childhood sweethearts, bound not just by obligation but by the quiet, steadfast love that had grown over the years. And as the night deepened over Yedong City, the looming shadow of the Chikuzu Group seemed, for a few peaceful hours, very far away.