598: [Bonus chapter] No cap

[Bonus chapter] No cap

Axel obviously turned down the idea. He wasn't some heroic man who would willingly sacrifice himself for the goodness of the world. If anything, he could be considered a small villain because he would always choose himself over humanity.  0

"No way!" Axel gasped in disbelief. "Sis, how can you do this to me!? Bro!"

"I think it's a bad idea." Dominic also wanted to change his mind, shaking his head mildly. "Let's think of something else, dear."

"Well."

"Didn't you say you're the best uncle?" Before Heaven and Dominic could change their minds, Gray expressed his dismay toward Axel. "Your brother is already putting his life in danger for this family. Yet, you have the gall to complain? Surely, you don't deserve the title!"

Heaven and Dominic raised their brows and looked at Gray. Even Bear, Princess, and Fig had to stare at their comrade. Why did it sound like Gray's remarks stemmed from some deeper personal grudge?

"Your cousin will kill you brother, second young master. And do you know what that means? That means if the Master dies, this family has a slim chance of surviving," Gray continued with a huff. "But well, I guess that's not important to you. What is important to you is your own survival — though I doubt you would be fine all on your own."

"Oy, what the hell are you talking about?" Axel snapped at Gray with a hiss. "I'm the best uncle and —"

"If you are, then you should think about them in this situation. Or do you truly want them to lose their dad before everything else?"

"..." Axel opened his mouth to argue, but once again, his voice didn't come out of his lips. How could he argue again, knowing he was being selfish right now?

"I don't want to force it," Dominic spoke, interfering with the current discussion. "What's important is that Axel is aware of this situation."

He paused, casting his brother a look. "So, I hope you will be careful from now on. Axel, I don't want to force you to be a part of this plan. So long as you're fine, then I'm okay with anything. To be fair, being a part of this plan is even more dangerous."

"I also don't want to risk Axel's well-being." Heaven nodded, agreeing with her husband. "The second bait can me be or Grandma. I think she will be okay with that, right, Butler Fu?"

Butler Fu lowered his head. "I want to disagree with it, but at the same time, the Old Madam Zhu already expressed her sentiments. She said whatever outcome you will come up with, she will support it a hundred percent."

Heaven sported a short smile and nodded. "Don't worry, Butler Fu. I will give you my word. She will be fine."

"The Old Madam trust you two." Butler Fu smiled back and bowed slightly. "I cannot question that."

"Thank you." Heaven pressed her lips even tighter as she looked at Dominic. Her husband smiled at her subtly before they continued their discussion on what to expect and not in the following days and months. 

As they continued, Axel cast his eyes down. His lips were drawn into a thin line, listening to their discussion. Right now, they were talking about how to make sure of the children's safety and just how disastrous things could be. 

It sounded big and chaotic and dangerous. Everyone's tone was solemn, stopping in their discussion every once in a while to think about things thoroughly. Meanwhile, Axel was just there. 

'What am I doing?' Axel asked himself inwardly, thinking this was never an issue to him in the past. 

There were times Axel would sit in his brother's office and listen to the meeting for a moment. And then, he would lose interest and not pay attention to anything anymore. But tonight, he felt useless. Everyone — even these bodyguards — who weren't family-related were willing to risk their lives for the Zhu family. 

But Axel… Dominic's only brother and his children's only uncle refused the only help he could do for them. Axel was truly selfish and useless. Best Uncle? Gray was right. Axel had no right to call himself that if he couldn't even do even the smallest sacrifice for his family. 

Despite that, Axel couldn't say anything throughout the entire meeting. He just stayed quiet, mentally lamenting how useless he was, but at the same time, beat himself for not being able to conquer his fear. Everything he heard scared the hell out of him. He wasn't as iron-hearted as Dominic, nor was he as fearless as Heaven. 

Axel was just a coward. Tonight, that was clear to him. 

*

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*

After that meeting, Axel couldn't sleep at night, as he blamed himself for being such a coward. Although his brother and sister didn't force him to take part in whatever plans they got and simply reminded him to be careful, it didn't sit well with him. Hence, after many days and nights of thinking, Axel finally mustered the courage to talk to Heaven.

"Axel?" Heaven tilted her head to the side, seeing Axel stand in front of their room while she was about to get out to get herself a glass of water. "What are you doing here?"

Axel slowly lowered his fist and hid it behind him. He kept his eyes on her, lips drawn into a tight, thin slash. 

"I…" his bottom lips quivered while her brows rose as she waited for whatever he was about to tell her. "... let me in."

"Huh?" Her already knitted brows creased even more. "But Axel, your brother is already sleeping. He was a little tired. How about we go somewhere to talk if what you need right now is a person to talk to —"

"Will I die?" 

Heaven abruptly stopped as she looked up at him once again. "Hmm?"

"If I become the second bait, will I die, sis?" Axel breathed out as if he had used his lifetime's courage just to spit out those words. "I want to know the chances of my survival if I become the second bait."

For a moment, Heaven just stared at him in silence. She thought Axel had already made up his mind, but it seemed their last discussion stuck to him. 

"No, you will not," she answered with a subtle smile on her face. "Though you might get hurt really badly."

"Then let me in." Without a second hesitation, Axel requested. "Let me in your plans, sis. I don't care if I get beaten up again — that won't be the first time, anyway. As long as you give me your word that I will not die, then I trust you."

Another wave of silence fell on their shoulders before Heaven let out a short chuckle, saying, "You will not die. You have my word, Axel. Your chances of survival is two hundred percent. No cap."

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