**Chapter 63: Words Left Unspoken, Secrets Kept**
Seeing Bai Hanyan’s eyes burning with fury, I didn’t dare get any closer. Instead, I blurted, “What do you want? Spit it out if you’ve got something to say.”
If I’d kept my mouth shut, things might’ve been fine. But the moment those words left me, her expression darkened even further.
Maybe it was the crude phrasing—mentioning *pissing* made her think I was mocking her.
But words, once spoken, are like water spilled on the ground. No taking them back now.
Bai Hanyan slowly stalked toward me. I grabbed Wang Yang’s sleeve, hoping he’d shield me.
Instead, the bastard dodged like I was contagious, putting several meters between us—grinning like this was the best show he’d seen all day.
Bai Hanyan crouched in front of me, her murderous aura practically carving me into eight pieces.
I braced for a fight, but all she did was hiss, *“If you breathe a word about what happened in the mine, I’ll cut out your tongue.”*
Without waiting for a response, she stood and strode away.
Wu Tingxiu and Song Bing were huddled nearby, whispering. No clue what they were plotting.
After a while, Wu Tingxiu distributed the remaining rations and water from her pack.
*“Song Bing’s going back for reinforcements. The rest of us press forward. Go easy on these supplies,”* she instructed.
I couldn’t help asking, *“How much longer to the destination?”*
Bai Hanyan shot me a glare before consulting her compass. *“Without a guide, I’m navigating rough estimates. No guarantees on timing.”*
*“So what happens if we run out of food and water halfway?”*
Wu Tingxiu cut in, *“Don’t worry. Song Bing will bring back provisions.”*
Song Bing nodded.
With plans settled, I bit back further complaints. After a quick meal, we split up and trudged onward.
Eight exhausting hours later, we finally paused to rest.
Blisters had formed on my feet—I’d never hiked this long in my life. This whole trip felt like a self-inflicted punishment.
*“Hanging in there?”* Wang Yang plopped down beside me.
I sighed. *“Like I have a choice…”*
I jerked my chin toward Wu Tingxiu in the distance.
Wang Yang chuckled, pulling out a crumpled cigarette. He lit it and took a slow drag.
*“Between Wu Tingxiu and An Ying, who’s prettier?”*
This wasn’t the first time he’d randomly brought up Ying-jie. The guy had a knack for steering conversations her way.
*“You seem… really fixated on Ying-jie,”* I observed.
He exhaled smoke. *“Aren’t you?”*
*“Why would I be?”*
*“You call her ‘Ying-jie’ like you’re family. Or did you forget how she skipped town without you?”*
*“So what? If she hadn’t taken me in when I first came to Guangling, I’d have been on the streets. However others see her, she never screwed me over.”*
*“Oh?”* His lips curled. *“Do tell—how exactly did she *not* screw you over?”*
*“Why’s it your business?”* I snapped.
*“Humor me.”*
*“You’ve got a thing for her, don’t you?”*
Wang Yang blinked. *“Me?!”*
His scoff was theatrical. *“Pretty sure *you’re* the one smitten.”*
*“Bullshit—”* My face heated despite myself.
*“Look at you, flustered over a joke.”* He grinned. *“So what’d you even do while following An Ying around?”*
I studied him. *“Wang Yang. Truth—did she scam you too?”*
*“Huh?”*
*“Since we met, you’ve been digging for info about her. What’s your deal?”*
A shadow crossed his eyes. He took a final drag before flicking the butt away. *“…Nothing.”*
*“Fine. Keep your secrets. But don’t expect me to share why Ying-jie came to Guangling.”*
I’d meant it as bait, but his reaction stunned me—his gaze turned icy. *“You *know* why she came here?!”*
His intensity threw me off, but I doubled down. *“Tell me what you’re hiding, and I’ll tell you.”*
Wang Yang’s mouth opened, then closed. Finally, he wet his lips. *“You… really want to know?”*
I nodded. *“You said we’re friends. Friends don’t keep secrets. I’ll tell you everything *I* know—if you do the same.”*
He inhaled deeply, silent for a long moment. *“I don’t even know where to start…”*
*“Try your backstory,”* I suggested.
A bitter laugh escaped him. *“Alright. After we get back, I’ll lay it all out. Just… hope you can handle it.”*
The dramatic delivery irked me. What, was he the long-lost son of a billionaire or something?
We took shifts resting. By midnight, Song Bing returned—with Guan Hu in tow.
As Guan Hu debriefed Wu Tingxiu, I eavesdropped shamelessly.
Turns out, after the cave-in, Guan Hu had *disciplined* our two guides. The younger one was the saboteur. Once we were trapped, Guan Hu sent the other for help—but the guy never returned.
Forced to drag the younger guide back to the village, Guan Hu learned the messenger had bolted. The village chief pleaded for the kid’s release, and Guan Hu relented, rallying locals to dig us out.
Mid-rescue, Song Bing showed up, and the two hurried here together.
*“All equipment accounted for?”* Wu Tingxiu asked.
Song Bing nodded.
*“Rest up. We move at dawn.”*
*“Got it.”*
Once they left, Wu Tingxiu stopped me with unexpected softness: *“Xiang Fei… thank you.”*
I waved it off. *“No need, Boss Wu. I’m good.”*
*“You’ll be compensated properly when we return.”*
*“Come on, we’re friends. Talking money feels weird.”*
Truth was, I’d come for the Suihou Pearl too—I just hadn’t advertised it.
Honestly? Without Wu Tingxiu, I’d have died in this hellhole days ago.
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