I knew Cheng Minglang was worried I would look down on Han Jinlun because of his sulking.
But in reality, I hadn't thought about it that way at all.
Since meeting Han Jinlun in Longxi, my understanding of him was almost second only to Cheng Minglang's.
Han Jinlun, who seemed to have no serious demeanor all day, actually had a good grasp of things.
Although Han Jinlun often flirted with Xu Peiyu during his downtime, he always maintained a proper balance.
Because he knew very well that Xu Peiyu was someone I had brought in. His sulking just now was actually a way of standing up for her.
Therefore, I didn't take it to heart and walked directly to Xu Peiyu's door.
This was my first time entering Xu Peiyu's room after she changed her residence. It looked much cleaner and tidier than the rooms of us three grown men.
After a brief glance, I turned my attention to Xu Peiyu, who was engrossed in packing her clothes.
Seeing the tear stains that had not yet faded from her face, and not knowing how to begin, I could only apologize first.
"Sister Peiyu, I'm sorry!"
"I brought you from Xingjia, and before you could earn much, I'm sending you back."
Upon hearing this, Xu Peiyu immediately stopped packing her clothes and stood up.
She stared directly at me with her slightly red eyes and asked in a low voice, "Chen Xiang, tell me honestly, now that I'm going back, do you... not plan to let me return?"
Women, oh women, are truly meticulous.
I hadn't expected that Xu Peiyu could see through me so easily, almost without me showing any flaws.
However, her seeing through me didn't mean I had to admit it.
With that in mind, after decisively shaking my head, I replied with a smile, "That's not true! Sister Peiyu, don't overthink it."
"Chen Xiang, don't lie to me!"
Lowering her head slightly, Xu Peiyu sighed softly and said, "Don't you know that women's intuition is very accurate?"
Before I could speak, Xu Peiyu continued, "Yu Shuang's matter was just a cover. The reason you're letting me leave is because you're worried that Ying Baolin will turn on you after using you! Am I right?"
After Xu Peiyu had revealed the truth, a look of surprise flashed across my eyes.
I didn't expect Xu Peiyu to have guessed my true thoughts.
Although I didn't know what Ying Baolin wanted me to do, one thing I was always certain of.
That was, after the task was completed, Ying Baolin would inevitably try to recruit me.
If I refused, he would definitely raise his butcher's knife against me!
Although Xu Peiyu was part of my team, she had hardly participated in anything other than seeking revenge against Kang Muru before this.
Getting her involved in this made me uneasy.
With Yu Shuang's appearance and her retaliatory actions against me, the situation in Wenzhou was bound to become more complicated.
Therefore, after much deliberation, I finally decided to have Xu Peiyu withdraw from the team in this manner.
...
Xu Peiyu's intelligence left me speechless.
Seeing this, her eyes filled with tears, she stood there silently, just looking at me.
At this moment, I knew that if I said just one word, "stay," Xu Peiyu would undoubtedly accompany me into the murky waters without hesitation.
But I couldn't do that.
I already owed Xu Peiyu emotionally, so I didn't want to incur an insurmountable debt of gratitude.
Thus, we stood there in silence.
I don't know how long it had been...
Seemingly understanding my resolve and not receiving any invitation to stay, Xu Peiyu sighed sadly and said faintly, "As long as it can relieve you of your worries, I am willing to leave."
Then, Xu Peiyu said something that I would never forget.
"Chen Xiang, perhaps I am just a fleeting passerby in your world."
"Even if we intersect, it is very brief."
"But in my world, you are everything!"
"When I was with you, I, who was always extremely insecure, inexplicably felt at ease."
"So, I greedily fantasized... if only I could stay by your side forever."
"Although I don't know what you truly hold in your heart, I can see that there is no trace of me in your eyes!"
"Perhaps, this is what is meant by meeting but not knowing each other? Or perhaps, the other half of your life has not yet appeared."
"In any case, since I can't be your girlfriend, nor can I be a comrade fighting alongside you, I can only be the one who silently supports you from behind."
"Listen carefully, Chen Xiang! No matter how you turn out in the future, there will be a girl named Xu Peiyu... always waiting for you!"
"My phone number is always reserved for you!"
"One day, if you get tired of the treacherous martial world, tired of this thrilling life, remember to call me! I will always be waiting for you!"
After speaking, Xu Peiyu turned around and began packing her clothes again.
Hearing these words, a surge of warmth instantly flowed through my heart.
Humans are not made of wood; how can they be without feelings?
Including the previous time, this was the second time Xu Peiyu had confessed her feelings to me.
To say I wasn't moved would be a lie.
But emotion is not affection, nor is it love.
Coupled with the unavenged hatred for Uncle Tuo, I had no mind to think about such messy romantic entanglements.
Therefore, cutting the Gordian knot quickly was the best solution.
...
Looking at the suitcase that had been set up long ago, I knew that Xu Peiyu had actually finished packing.
She hadn't left because she was waiting for me to come and see if there was any room for a turnaround.
Her turning away just now was her last bit of stubbornness, knowing my answer clearly, before our final separation.
After going downstairs, I left Cheng Minglang in the rented apartment and took Han Jinlun with me to drive and see Xu Peiyu off to the station to buy a ticket and board the bus...
About an hour later.
Just after seeing Xu Peiyu off, I received a call from Shen Mengqing.
"I've settled things with Zou Laogou."
"How many people? At what price?" I asked directly.
"Nearly a hundred and eighty people!"
Shen Mengqing's reply was also crisp and to the point.
"So many people!?" I asked in surprise.
"Recently, several venue owners have kicked out the people Zou Laogou arranged to be on the inside."
"The once mighty Zou Laogou is now relying on us old customers to survive, and some of his subordinates have already run off."
"Those who haven't run off are unemployed. As soon as they heard I needed people for work, and the more the better, Zou Laogou wished he could put on his armor and fight himself!"
"Oh, right! Zou Laogou asked me if this time it was half civilian and half martial, or a full martial arts troupe? I told him to give me quotes for both."
"What are your plans on your end?"