The morning fog over Yedong City’s harbor was thick and salty, carrying the scent of diesel and fish. Park Daegun stood at the edge of the pier, his squat, muscular frame planted like a stump against the damp wind. At 155 centimeters, he was the shortest man on the dock, but his shoulders were broad as an ox yoke, his hands calloused from years of knuckle work. Behind him, two dozen of his best men waited in silence, their eyes scanning the gray water.
The ship emerged from the mist like a ghost—a sleek Chinese cargo vessel with no markings but the kind of polished hull that meant money and power. Daegun straightened his jacket, a cheap thing that strained across his chest. He’d worn it to look respectable, though the collar was already frayed.
As the gangplank lowered with a groan of metal, two figures stepped onto the pier. The first was a woman who seemed to command the light itself. Yi Meier stood 175 centimeters tall, her wavy chestnut hair catching the weak sun and turning it to copper. Her face was the kind that belonged in classical paintings—soft eyes that held a mother’s warmth, full lips that curved in a gentle, knowing smile. She wore a cream-colored silk blouse that did nothing to hide the generous swell of her breasts, and tailored trousers that hugged her long legs and the subtle flare of her hips. Every movement she made was unhurried, deliberate, as if she understood exactly how much space she occupied in the world.
Beside her, Li Qing walked with a careful gait, five centimeters shorter than his fiancée. He was slender, almost delicate, with fine-boned wrists and a face that was handsome in an understated way. His nickname, Guiyi, meant “turtle one,” a playful reference to his family’s Black Tortoise Gang. The moniker had never bothered him. He wore a simple black suit, his hands in his pockets, and his eyes were bright with curiosity.
Daegun stepped forward and gave a short bow, his voice rough but respectful. “Welcome, first speakers of both gangs. I’ve arranged a seaside inn for your stay. The best accommodations I could manage on short notice.”
Meier’s smile was gentle as she extended her hand. “Thank you, Mr. Park. We appreciate the hospitality.”
The handshake was firm. Li Qing nodded in greeting, saying nothing.
Daegun gestured to a black sedan idling at the edge of the lot. “Please. The car is this way.”
They drove through the winding coastal roads of Yedong City, the sea on one side, cliffs of tangled greenery on the other. Daegun sat in the front passenger seat, twisting around to face his guests. “I’ll be direct,” he said. “The Takezumi Group has been making moves. They think they can come onto our island, cut out the Daemun Gang, and take over the underground business. They’ve already hurt my father.”
Li Qing raised an eyebrow. “We heard about that. Your father is recovering?”
“He will,” Daegun said, his jaw tightening. “But I’m the acting boss now. And I need allies. The Blue Dragon and Black Tortoise have controlled the main trade routes for decades. Together, we could squeeze the Japanese out before they plant roots.”
Meier’s gaze was fixed on the ocean beyond the window. “We’ve noticed their movements,” she said slowly. “Unusual shipments. New faces in the bars and warehouses. But we need to investigate further before committing to anything.”
Daegun leaned forward, his voice urgent. “Please, Miss Yi. You don’t understand. My men have intercepted communications. They’re planning something big—something that could destabilize every gang on this island.”
Li Qing held up a hand. “Brother, I understand your worry. But the Blue Dragon is still the largest power here. The Takezumi can’t move fast. Why don’t we take a few days to see the island? Tour the sights. Rest. People like us—we send our subordinates to manage our territories here, but we’ve never set foot on Yedong City ourselves. It’d be a waste not to enjoy it.”
Daegun stared at him for a moment, then let out a breath. “You’re right. That’s wise. Let me first take you to your gangs’ local offices—pay respects, let them know you’re here. Then the inn.”
The offices passed in a blur of handshakes, tea, and formalities. Low-level lieutenants bowed and reported numbers that Meier and Li Qing absorbed with practiced ease. By the time they reached the seaside inn, the sun was dipping toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose.
The inn was a modest two-story building built into the cliffside, its wooden balconies overlooking a private cove. Daegun parked and walked them to the entrance. “I wanted to book you into the Grasse Hotel—five stars, top floor suites,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “But it’s under renovation. The moment it reopens, I’ll host you properly. For now, this place is clean and quiet.”
Meier touched his arm. “It’s perfect. Thank you, Mr. Park.”
Daegun nodded, got back in his car, and drove away without another word.
Inside the room, the air smelled of salt and cedar. Li Qing kicked off his shoes and lay back on the large bed, remote in hand, flicking through local channels. The murmur of Korean variety shows filled the space.
Meier disappeared into the bathroom. The shower ran for a long time, steam curling under the door.
When she emerged, Li Qing’s thumb paused over the remote.
She wore a black lace chemise that clung to every curve of her body—the generous weight of her breasts, the narrow waist, the full, rounded hips. Her damp hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her skin glowed from the heat.
She padded across the wooden floor and flopped onto the bed beside him, stretching like a cat, her arms arching above her head. The movement made the lace shift, and Li Qing swallowed.
“Busy watching TV?” she murmured, her voice low and honeyed.
“Not anymore.”
She rolled onto her side, propping her head on her hand. Her eyes, warm and full of love, traced his face. “My little turtle. I missed you today.”
“You were with me the whole time.”
“And I still missed you.”
She slid her hand down his chest, over his stomach, and found the front of his trousers. He was already half-hard. Her fingers teased the waistband before slipping inside, wrapping around his small shaft. It thickened in her grip, reaching its full length—barely eight centimeters.
Her smile never faded. She lowered her head and took him into her mouth, her lips sealing around him, her tongue working in slow circles. Li Qing let out a shuddering breath, his head falling back. “Ah… Meier…”
She moved with care, with tenderness. He was not a large man, and he never satisfied her in the way other men might have, but she did not know or care about such things. To her, this was love. This was enough.
After a few minutes, she rose and straddled him. The lace chemise was gone. Her bare body was a masterpiece—full breasts, a flat stomach, the soft curve of her thighs. She guided him inside her, sinking down, and the sensation of her warmth wrapping around him made his whole body tremble.
Even at full height, he could not reach her deepest places. He nestled inside her like a seed in soft earth. She began to move, her hips rolling in a slow rhythm, her hair brushing his face, her lips pressing gentle kisses to his forehead.
Five minutes passed. Maybe less. Li Qing’s breath grew ragged, his hands clutching her hips as a wave of pleasure crashed through him. His body seized, a long groan escaping his throat as he released—a thin, sparse seed with barely any scent, almost translucent.
He collapsed, panting, his face flushed. “Ugh… ah… I need to rest for half a month after that.”
Meier settled beside him, her body still warm, and kissed his cheek. “You worked hard.”
She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. They lay face to face, his nose brushing hers, and within minutes, both were asleep, tangled in each other, her large frame cradling his smaller one.
The sound of the waves lulled them deeper.
Outside, the moon rose over Yedong City, and in the shadows of the harbor, unfamiliar boats docked in silence, unloading cargo that no one had ordered.