The two met eyes, and after a moment, Yu Daohan slowly spoke, "Qiangzi, why are you in Jiangdu?"
A smile appeared on Zhang Xiaoqiang's face. "What, Yu Ye, you don't welcome me?"
Yu Daohan shook his head and said happily, "How could that be? I wish you'd come."
Zhang Xiaoqiang slowly walked forward, and Yu Daohan scrutinized him.
His physique was much stronger than before, and his complexion was a little paler, but his eyes revealed a hint of coldness.
He gave off an icy aura.
Yu Daohan suddenly realized that the kid wasn't wearing a suit: "Hey, where's your battle suit (suit), did the sun rise in the west today?"
A smile appeared on Zhang Xiaoqiang's face, but it seemed perfunctory. "People have to grow up, I don't wear suits anymore."
Seeing this, Yu Daohan didn't ask further. If he wanted to say something, he would.
"You brat, we haven't seen each other for almost a year. Come on, let's go to the shop for a drink!" Yu Daohan said, reaching out to clap Zhang Xiaoqiang on the shoulder.
Zhang Xiaoqiang stepped back, dodging Yu Daohan's hand. "I've quit drinking!"
Yu Daohan looked at Zhang Xiaoqiang with confusion.
What was wrong with this kid?
Why did he feel like he was deliberately distancing himself?
And he had quit drinking, since when?
"It's okay if you don't drink, then we'll have tea. I've been saving some good tea and was reluctant to drink it, but since you're here." Yu Daohan smiled and was about to lead Zhang Xiaoqiang back to the shop.
Zhang Xiaoqiang stood still, not moving. He slowly said, "Yu Ye, these two are my disciples!"
Hearing this, Yu Daohan stopped and turned to look at Zhang Xiaoqiang.
The moment Zhang Xiaoqiang appeared, Yu Daohan had guessed that these two had something to do with Qiangzi.
He hadn't mentioned it specifically to avoid damaging their brotherhood, but Qiangzi had finally brought it up.
Yu Daohan looked at Zhang Xiaoqiang's serious expression and said, "Qiangzi, I'm sorry, I didn't know they were your disciples."
Zhang Xiaoqiang shook his head, looking unconcerned. "If you're not as skilled, you can't blame others."
The meaning of Zhang Xiaoqiang's words was obvious. On the surface, he was talking about his two disciples, but in reality, he was talking about Yu Daohan.
Hearing this, Yu Daohan quickly said, "Qiangzi, I didn't mean that."
Zhang Xiaoqiang nodded. "I know Yu Ye didn't mean that."
Yu Daohan lowered his head, and after a long pause, he said, "Qiangzi, about the matter in Taohua Village..."
The smile on Zhang Xiaoqiang's face vanished. "It was my fault regarding Taohua Village. You saved my life, Yu Ye, and you can take it back anytime."
Yu Daohan looked up at Zhang Xiaoqiang, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"Qiangzi... we are brothers!" Yu Daohan was bewildered.
He hadn't done anything wrong, so why was Qiangzi saying such things?
Zhang Xiaoqiang's face was expressionless, and he slowly said, "That's right, we are brothers!"
Yu Daohan forced a smile. "We brothers haven't seen each other for a long time. Let's go to the shop and sit down to talk about whatever it is."
Zhang Xiaoqiang shook his head, refusing. "I have important matters to attend to. We'll talk next time. Yu Ye should also know the purpose of my visit, right?"
Yu Daohan nodded. "It's about Li Xin, isn't it?"
"That's right, it's about that guy. The sect leader ordered me to apprehend him and bring him back to Yan Shu Sect," Zhang Xiaoqiang admitted without concealment.
"Li Xin is not a disciple of Yan Shu Sect. Why would Yan Shu Sect want to apprehend him?" Yu Daohan was somewhat confused.
Li Xin was a water master, and he had no connection whatsoever with Yan Shu Sect.
Zhang Xiaoqiang shook his head, a perfunctory smile on his lips. "I'm sorry, it's a sect secret, I cannot disclose it!"
Seeing that Zhang Xiaoqiang didn't want to talk about it, Yu Daohan didn't press further. Asking more would only harm their brotherhood.
Yu Daohan pleaded, "I owe Li Xin a favor, can you..."
Before Yu Daohan could finish his sentence, Zhang Xiaoqiang said two decisive words: "No!"
At that moment, the world seemed to stand still. The surroundings were eerily silent!
Snowflakes fell heavily, and white snow covered both of them.
They stood there in the heavy snow, silent.
No one knew what they were thinking. Their eyes met, both appearing somewhat desolate.
A cold wind blew, but Yu Daohan felt no chill in his body. Instead, he felt a coldness in his heart, a deep, terrifying coldness.
It was a coldness that went to the very depths of his soul.
Perhaps they didn't know what to say, or perhaps there was nothing left to say.
The two remained in silence...