After closing the door, I quickly recounted the secret talk at the steel wire factory to Cheng Minglang without reservation.
Upon hearing my description, Cheng Minglang immediately voiced his opposition, saying, "Revenge should not be delayed, nor should it be carried out through others."
"Taking matters into your own hands is a demonstration of loyalty and righteousness, and it should be a swift and decisive action!"
"Why don't we go ourselves, find someone to arrange things, get a couple of suitable weapons, and directly storm Tianci Tower to kill that guy surnamed Xiao?"
I thought Cheng Minglang would agree with my viewpoint, but unexpectedly, he was as reckless as ever.
Shaking my head, I began to voice my concerns.
First, the unavoidable aftermath.
Just like Chen Haonan killing Ba Bi to rise in status back then, the process was as fast and cool as it could be, but the escape afterward was just as messy.
Second, Xiao Tianyu has so many people around him. If we go after him ourselves and fail, what happens then?
Third, everything we are doing for Han Jinlun now is out of brotherhood, but Han Qingmei doesn't know about his death yet.
This is a hidden danger, and a big problem.
Actually, the third point is what I fear the most.
An elder brother is like a father, and an elder sister is like a mother.
I don't need to elaborate on the deep sibling relationship between Han Qingmei and Han Jinlun.
What I worry about is that once Han Qingmei learns of Han Jinlun's death, she might lose control of her emotions and go berserk.
After all, Han Jinlun is her only blood relative.
If Han Qingmei intervenes like this, the entire Longxi region will surely fall into chaos, and Xiao Tianyu will inevitably become alerted in advance.
If I want to avenge Han Jinlun later, the difficulty and risk factors will increase infinitely.
I don't fear spending money in vain, but I fear failing to achieve the goal, letting that bastard Xiao Tianyu escape.
When Xiao Tianyu came to block us last night, I heard Han Jinlun call Han Qingmei for help. I remember the latter saying she would be back in a day or two.
Han Jinlun's phone is with me after his accident.
At the steel wire factory, the reason I told Camel that I needed a day to consider was to see if Han Qingmei would return today.
If she returned, she would definitely contact Han Jinlun immediately and call his phone.
At that point, whether he answered the call or not, the matter would be out.
Because early this morning, Han Jinlun had actively called Han Qingmei for help.
Anyone who has wandered in the martial world knows that if someone calls you for help, and then you suddenly can't reach them, it means something has definitely gone terribly wrong.
I told Cheng Minglang that the one-day consideration time I asked from Camel was not for myself, but to think for all of us after calming down.
After all, hiring someone to kill is no small matter; every detail must be considered.
Han Qingmei could be an ally, or she could become the biggest obstacle.
So I am gambling! Gambling on destiny!
As long as Han Qingmei doesn't call before tonight, I will make up my mind to conceal Han Jinlun's death and focus solely on revenge.
If she calls, then I will explain the situation and the cause and effect truthfully, seek her opinion first, and then make plans.
Hearing my various concerns, Cheng Minglang not only dismissed them but even angrily called me cowardly, indecisive, and fearful of everything.
He insisted that the most correct choice was to kill Xiao Tianyu now, while it was still dark and unnoticed.
I didn't reply. Instead, I turned to ask Zhu Wenjing for her advice.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Wenjing pondered for a moment and then quietly said, "I agree with Brother Xiang's approach!"
"Revenge must be taken, but we can't just disregard everything for the sake of revenge. That way, we can easily get ourselves into trouble!"
Seeing Cheng Minglang frowning and remaining silent, Zhu Wenjing suddenly changed her tune, saying, "Of course, this is just my personal opinion and suggestion. The final decision rests with you."
"We don't need to decide!" I immediately picked up Zhu Wenjing's words and said, "Since it's a team, I will definitely listen to everyone's opinions and suggestions, and we won't have a one-man show!"
"Wenjing, your viewpoint is the same as mine, so it's two to one, we'll wait and see for now!"
Hearing this, Cheng Minglang immediately stomped his feet in anger and roared, "Chen Xiang, you are too pathetic!!!"
I shrugged it off and replied, "Say whatever you want about me. It's two to one, so that's settled! We'll see tonight!"
Although Cheng Minglang was still sulking by himself, he ultimately said nothing more.
Thus, we began to wait for the night to arrive in the hospital room.
In the evening, Hu Yiwen called us to his private office upstairs for dinner.
At the dinner table, I told Hu Yiwen about the saying "a favor done is remembered for a thousand years" and expressed my sincere gratitude for his risky shelter and care.
I also made a promise that from now on, whenever he needs my help, I would go through fire and water without hesitation.
Hu Yiwen smiled and shook his head, saying that brothers are found all over the world, and everyone faces difficulties when they are away from home. We couldn't just ignore it.
Moreover, we were friends of Camel.
After toasting Hu Yiwen with tea instead of wine, I thanked him again.
Having finished dinner and with nothing else to do, we returned to Zhu Wenjing's ward early.
That ward, I had left for Camel and Xiaolong.
I thought that since Han Qingmei hadn't called all day, it was a sign from heaven that it was time to act.
But I forgot one thing.
How could Cheng Minglang, who always valued brotherhood more than his own safety, give up so easily after clearly knowing who the enemy was?
Around eleven or twelve at night, I was woken up by the cold while sleeping in the chair, covered by a blanket. I was preparing to get up and go to the restroom.
As I stood up, I suddenly realized that Cheng Minglang, who had been sleeping beside me, had… disappeared!
I had no idea when Cheng Minglang got up or when he disappeared.
Seeing that the restroom door was closed, I thought he might be inside using the toilet, so I walked to the restroom door and called out softly, "Minglang, are you in there?"
After calling out several times without a response, I directly turned the doorknob and went inside.
The restroom was empty!
If Cheng Minglang wasn't in the restroom at this hour, then…
I dared not think further.
"Wenjing, don't sleep, get up quickly!"
I rushed out of the restroom, turned on the light, and woke up Zhu Wenjing from her sleep.
"What's wrong, Brother Xiang?" Zhu Wenjing asked sleepily, sitting up from the bed and rubbing her eyes.
"Minglang is gone! Come out and help me find him!"