Chapter 88 Progress: Any Moves, Do We Have a Car?

Sheng Mingsi coldly glanced around, furrowing his eyebrows, then turned off the speakerphone.

"Did Xixi do something again? Tell me, and I'll help you teach him a lesson."

Ye Xi stepped back, raising his hand to show innocence. "This has nothing to do with me. She came on her own!"

"No, Brother As, it's..."

Jiang Chenchen stopped her words at her lips. Could she tell him about this? Zhan Momo specifically instructed her not to tell anyone, and she promised not to.

However, not revealing who it was could still be considered keeping her promise.

So she said, "Someone asked me to invite him. Please don't tell Ye Xi."

Sheng Mingsi's expression eased slightly. "Who is it?"

"I can't say."

"Can't I say it either?"

"I'm sorry, I can't."

"Never mind." Sheng Mingsi didn't press the matter. "I'll be back soon."

Jiang Chenchen felt elated upon hearing this. "Okay, I'll wait for you, Brother As. I also have a New Year's gift for you."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Mingsi thought of the half-knit sweater sleeve she had made. Could it be that?

He cleared his throat. "Sure."

Then he hung up.

The others on the other end seemed unbothered by this. However, they had experienced the calm before the storm.

Unexpectedly, Sheng Mingsi appeared calm and not angry.

"Just do whatever; I'm leaving."

As they watched him leave and disappear from sight, Ye Xi and Zhao Shitian exchanged a glance. It seemed like he really didn't care?

Qin Chi leaned against his seat, looking relaxed. "Maybe things aren't as they seem."

Ye Xi and Zhao Shitian looked at him, asking, "What?"

"Explain it clearly!" Ye Xi scratched his head and asked again.

The orange tufted hair stood up, looking not too intelligent.

Qin Chi glanced at him coldly and said, "Aren't you going to find out by going to the appointment?"

"Cut it out." Ye Xi tossed a chopstick at him. "Are you really brewing some big move to deal with me? It's not my fault, okay? Maybe your sister is tired of you. Don't you need some self-reflection?"

Zhao Shitian threw another chopstick at him. "Shut up! You're always hopping around on the edge of death. One day, if you really die and nothing is left, you won't even know the reason!"

Ye Xi caught it, or rather, he maintained a handsome posture with both hands, displaying a confident smile.

Others: ...

This guy's condition is relapsing; there's no cure.

.......

Sheng Mingsi drove back and received a call when he was about to reach home.

He glanced at it and had no intention of answering.

But the calls were persistent.

So he frowned and answered, "What is it?"

The anxious voice of Gu Mingmei came through, "Miss Sheng suddenly fainted and lost consciousness. I've taken her to the emergency room. Hurry over!"

Sheng Mingsi looked ahead and furrowed his brows, then turned the car in another direction.

...

Jiang Chenchen huddled on the sofa and almost fell asleep.

Although Sheng Mingsi had called, asking her to sleep and not wait for him, this was the first time she spent New Year's with him, and she wanted to wait and see.

Glancing at the time, it was already midnight.

The first day of the lunar new year.

After some consideration, she sent a message.

"Happy New Year."

Then she thought again and sent another one with a "love you" and a cascade of hearts and rainbows.

But there was no response from the other side. She didn't know why he didn't come back as promised. Weren't they supposed to welcome the new year together and set off fireworks?

She clutched the phone tightly in her hand.

Suddenly, the phone rang, startling her.

She gripped the phone tightly in her hand.

The sudden ringtone startled her.

Quickly checking, it wasn't Sheng Mingsi.

It was Ye Xi.

After some thought, she decided to answer.

"Jiang Chenchen! How dare you play tricks on me!" Ye Xi's agitated voice echoed through the 108th floor of Jingao Tower. "You better think about how to apologize to me!"

"I'm sorry..."

That apology came too quickly.

Ye Xi was stunned for a moment, then continued in agitation, "No! Not sincere enough."

Jiang Chenchen took the phone away from her ear and placed it on the coffee table, putting it on speaker. "So, what do you want?"

Ye Xi laid down a condition, "I'll remember this account, and you'll have to pay me back in the future!"

"Fine."

"Why do people you know have the same violent tendencies as you?" He gritted his teeth.

"What?"

"That woman dared to hit me!" Ye Xi's fair face still had red marks. "You know I never hit women, but she kept pestering me and even resorted to violence. I won't let her off! I won't spare her!"

Anger surged.

Jiang Chenchen said, "But she just wanted to see you."

"Brother doesn't want to see her." Ye Xi, looking out at the fireworks through the floor-to-ceiling glass, suddenly turned serious. "I don't like women who cross the line."

However, after maintaining this tone for half a minute, he returned to normal. "Tell me, did you cause trouble for me? Getting slapped for no reason, do you think you should apologize and compensate for it?"

Jiang Chenchen asked, "What do you mean by crossing the line?"

"It means that we agreed on something, and once it's crossed, there's no room for mercy." Ye Xi continued like a playboy, "Let me tell you, Young Master Sheng dislikes being too sticky. If you give him some space, he'll be more attracted to you!"

He lowered his voice and gossiped, "Tell me quietly, how far have you guys gone?"

Jiang Chenchen was puzzled, "What do you mean by 'how far'?"

"Uh, that, does he have a car?"

"Yes."

Ye Xi's eyes lit up, nearly losing control of his voice, "Damn, Young Master Sheng is impressive! I thought he was a celibate, but turns out he's a beast too!"

Jiang Chenchen felt he was going on and on without end, not really interested in listening.

So she said, "I'm hanging up; I want to sleep."

Ye Xi had forgotten about the slap he received. "Ah, chat a bit more. For example, how is he at driving? Is he wild?"

The call had already ended.

He still had the expression of discovering a new continent on his face, but such things couldn't be shared in the group; otherwise, Shao Shao would eliminate him.

But it could be discussed privately.

When he got in the elevator, he suddenly realized, why was Jiang Chenchen so indifferent even about these things? She said whatever she wanted without any hesitation. She's too naive.

Regret! Why didn't I meet her earlier!

...

Jiang Chenchen hung up the phone and realized that Sheng Mingsi had actually returned, not knowing how long he had been standing at the entrance!

His face showed fatigue and shock, and his hair was slightly disheveled.

His facial features were icy, his eyes exceptionally deep black. He still held a sparkler in his hand, indicating he rushed back.

"Brother Ah si! You're back!"

Jiang Chenchen quickly got up from the sofa and walked towards him.

When Sheng Mingsi saw her coming, he seemed unable to face her.

Why did she use speakerphone during the call? He heard everything, including discussions about driving prowess and other things.

Did she even understand what she was saying!?

Next Chapter▶▶

  **Chapter 135: Pulling Down the Gods**

The Marquess of Pingyuan and his son played the roles of the good cop and the bad cop to stall Minister Han, preventing him from dealing with Guo Qiang. However, when the imperial soldiers finally located Guo Qiang, it was too late; they found his corpse. Based on the scene, it was confirmed that he had committed suicide. Yet, anyone with common sense knew that it was unlikely Guo Qiang had taken his own life, especially coinciding so conveniently with the court's attempt to arrest him. Regardless, Guo Qiang's death put an end to the matter.

Although they didn't succeed in toppling Minister Han, it wasn't without gain; at least they had cut off one of his arms. Moreover, after this incident, Minister Han would likely be cautious in his actions, knowing that any move he made could give the Marquess and his allies an advantage over him.

Xie Yunshang quickly sent this news to Master Chen using a carrier pigeon. Naturally, the speed of the pigeon could not compare to that of Xiao Qing. By the time Master Chen received the message, several days had passed, and they were all deeply relieved. Initially, they hadn't paid much attention, thinking it was just a coincidence, but it managed to scare the prisoners.

Previously, she had considered ways to mystify and intimidate the prisoners, so that one day if they disappeared from the carriage or conjured objects out of thin air, it wouldn’t cause much of a stir. Unexpectedly, things had turned out that way by a stroke of luck. Now everyone believed she was a celestial being, so even if she did something unusual or performed seemingly impossible feats, others wouldn’t be surprised.

Once they became accustomed to it, they wouldn’t spread tales about it, much like how some people in the past who spent time with celebrities might initially boast about it but eventually stop as it became routine.

Back to the main topic, this trip to the county to procure supplies cost Chen Xue a lot of silver, which pained her greatly. Thankfully, they had managed to purchase almost everything they needed, including several pigs. Except for the oxen Chen Xue had been hoping for, they had acquired all necessary supplies. They had even bought a considerable amount of beef despite not getting the oxen. Overall, although she felt the pinch from spending so much silver, seeing all the goods they had acquired made it worthwhile.

“Should we seize this opportunity to win over some people?” she suggested.

Given that everyone now believed she was a celestial being, recruiting people would be much easier than before.

“What do you propose?” Master Chen frowned. “Many of them are beyond persuasion.”

Indeed, some of them deserved their exile for embezzling disaster relief grains and committing other heinous acts. Many of them deserved their fate, and their exile was a lenient punishment.

“Father!” Chen Xue smiled. “Even if they’re not worth recruiting, we can still deceive them into doing hard labor.”

“That’s true!”

“Phew!”

“So cold!”

“When will this cursed weather end!”

The group exhaled visibly, shivering and clanking their shackles in the frigid winter air. Although they had recently gone to the county to purchase supplies and were not lacking in clothing or food, the weight of their clothes and shackles, combined with the relentless cold wind, made their situation unbearable. Despite clear skies and no snow, it remained bitterly cold.

“Ah-choo!”

Those with weaker constitutions began to sneeze.

“Hang in there!” someone nearby encouraged. “It’s fortunate that the man surnamed Sun is dead. Otherwise, we’d be worse off than we are now. It’s cold, but at least we can endure it without freezing to death.”

Everyone fell silent, knowing he was right, but humans are never satisfied.

“Something’s wrong!”

A sudden exclamation broke their silence. Several people turned to see a woman clutching a baby, crying in anguish. The shout had come from someone beside her, and while the others didn’t fully understand the situation, they could guess what had happened. This was not uncommon; or rather, it had become common since their exile. Especially in the early days, many infants and elderly perished, leaving the entire group in constant fear.

Fortunately, the darkest days had passed, or perhaps only the strongest had survived. However, such an incident had resurfaced. Most had expected it to happen earlier during the heavier snowfall when it was even colder. Now, with clear skies and adequate supplies, it seemed odd that someone would freeze to death, especially an infant. Witnessing the woman’s heart-wrenching cries, many were reminded of their own children’s deaths, bringing a wave of sorrow.

Others offered sympathy and comfort.

“He’s gone, you need to accept it.”

The woman, however, ignored the consolations, crying bitterly as she clutched her child.

“Aren’t you the ones who claimed the Chen family were immortals? If it’s true, reviving the dead should be easy for them,” Zhang Yiquan sneered, stepping forward. “Go find them and see if they really are immortals!”

At his words, the grieving woman lifted her head, stunned for a moment, before rushing towards the Chen family with her baby, crying out, “Master Chen, Madam Chen, please save my child…”

Her cries drew the attention of other prisoners, who began to ask what had happened. Zhang Yiquan seized the opportunity, knowing the Chen family couldn’t be immortals. Thus, if the child couldn’t be revived, the Chen family’s reputation would be ruined.

No, the child couldn’t be saved.

Zhang Yiquan was certain; he could see from a distance that the child had no breath left. The Chen family would face the prisoners’ wrath when they failed to save the child. Imagining the scene of the Chen family being denounced as frauds and conmen brought a twisted satisfaction to his mind.

Immortals?

Ha!

Even immortals could be played and dragged from the heavens into the mud. If he could do it once, he believed he could do it again.

Next Chapter▶▶

Chapter 1081: Old Beggar Yan Bo

Shu Yu's carriage raced towards Huajiang Prefecture. After they had traveled quite a distance, she asked, "Ying Xi, did your brother mention anything about the gatekeeper of the Quansheng Escort?"

"Gatekeeper?" Ying Xi was confused.

Shu Yu pondered for a moment. "You mean Yan Bo?"

"Probably." Shu Yu hadn't paid much attention to the beggar's appearance, but he looked disheveled and dirty, making it hard to discern his features. "What kind of person is he?"

"My brother didn't say much, but he mentioned that Yan Bo was the most skilled person in the entire escort."

It was precisely because of this reason that Ying Dong had told her about Yan Bo. Otherwise, who would specifically mention a seemingly inconspicuous gatekeeper?

"My brother said that Yan Bo was seriously injured and on the verge of death once. It was Meng Bobo who saved him. My brother doesn't know the details, but after that incident, Yan Bo became the gatekeeper of the escort. When my brother and Young Master Meng were practicing martial arts as children, Yan Bo watched over them. Since both my father and Meng Bobo often had to go out for escorts and weren't at home, Yan Bo supervised their martial arts training."

Ying Xi couldn't remember having any interaction with Yan Bo, but according to Ying Dong, Yan Bo was very caring towards children. When she was unhappy and cried as a child, he would buy taffy for her to eat.

"Why did the young lady suddenly ask about Yan Bo?" Yan Bo should have been sent to Meng Yunzheng's uncle ten years ago.

Shu Yu and Ying Xi were sitting on the carriage shaft. She leaned against the edge of the carriage frame, and her head swayed with the bumps.

Her voice was low, "I saw that Yan Bo. He's begging right at the entrance of the Quansheng Escort."

"What?" Ying Xi abruptly pulled the reins and looked at her in astonishment. "Young lady, you, you said you saw Yan Bo?"

"Yes, he is now a beggar, begging right at the escort's entrance. The waiter from the opposite restaurant told me that he has been acting insane since that fire ten years ago and is not in his right mind."

"How, how can that be? Isn't he..." Isn't he supposed to be at Meng Yunzheng's uncle's place?

Ying Xi's grip on the reins tightened, feeling a bit uncomfortable after hearing that Shu Yu described him as insane and begging for a living.

Shu Yu shook her head and urged her to continue the journey.

When the carriage started rocking again, Shu Yu said, "Someone is watching Yan Bo."

"Who?"

"Probably people from the capital."

Ying Xi didn't quite understand, "Why would they watch Yan Bo? What's the point of watching him when he's just begging?"

Shu Yu chuckled, "You and your brother both don't believe that your Uncle Meng is dead, right?" Seeing Ying West nod, she continued, "Then I assume they aslo doesn't believe it either. They think that if Uncle Meng didn't die, he will come back sooner or later. Since Yan Bo is such an important person to him, if Uncle Meng were to come back, he would definitely contact Yan Bo. So they've been watching him, watching the Meng family."

Ying Xi's mouth slightly opened in surprise, "But it's been ten years."

Indeed, ten years had passed.

If Gong Qiu was willing to keep a close eye on the Meng family for ten years, it showed how cautious they were.

If they hadn't found Meng Pei's body, they would probably continue watching for twenty or thirty years.

Look at the person who has been keeping an eye on the Meng family; he's now the innkeeper of the restaurant across the street.

Next Chapter▶▶

Chapter 175: A Gentle Kiss

The big shot who had too much to drink not only behaved like a child but also slept in a child-like position.

Not only did he embrace Bai Lu, but he also buried his face in her neck, and the slightest movement of his eyelashes could be felt.

Knowing it was an unconscious act, Bai Lu's heartbeat couldn't help but slightly accelerate, contrasting with his steady heartbeat resonating from his chest.

Truly a troublesome little rascal!

Bai Lu dug her face out of the neck hollow, smiling earnestly, "I'm really not angry."

Xiao Cheng looked at her seriously.

He responded with an "Oh" and buried his face again.

Bai Lu: "..."

The breath sprayed at close range, sweeping back and forth on the neck. When the slightly cool and soft lips accidentally touched the neck, a faint scent of alcohol dispersed in the thin air.

The rising temperature of the intoxicating breath quickly spread throughout the room, casting an ambiguous hue over the night.

Under the interweaving of moonlight and lamplight, the blurry shadow of lips gradually moved upward from the neck.

It reached the fair as jade chin.

As the slightly cool and soft lips fell, Bai Lu suddenly woke up, pushing away Xiao Cheng's face that was pressing down.

"Oh, I bought a new pillow for you. Take a look and see if you like it."

After pushing Xiao Cheng away, Bai Lu quickly got off the bed, went to the wardrobe, and took out the new pillow she had bought in the afternoon.

Turning around, she saw that Xiao Cheng was still maintaining the posture she pushed him into, elbow on the bed, half lying down.

When he saw her approaching, he only reluctantly sat up.

Sitting outside with his back against the head of the bed, he stared at her with a faint gaze, never blinking.

As if walking through the flames, Bai Lu hurried to the bedside, smiling as she placed the new pillow in Xiao Cheng's arms.

With one hand, she took out her own pillow, turned it over, and unzipped it.

She took out the brand-new, hot bank card.

Handing it to Xiao Cheng, "Now that you have a new pillow, you can put the bank card in there. No need to keep it with me anymore."

Xiao Cheng looked at the card in Bai Lu's hand, then shifted his gaze to her face, furrowing his brows.

Still holding the pillow that she had just stuffed, he didn't move.

Apparently, he was reluctant to accept the bank card.

Sighing, Bai Lu sat down on the edge of the bed, took Xiao Cheng's pillow, turned it over, unzipped it, carefully tucked the bank card inside, and then placed the pillow back in Xiao Cheng's arms.

"There you go."

While it was hidden, Bai Lu felt it was necessary to remind him, "Keeping the bank card in the pillow is not safe. Find a better place to hide it tomorrow, or better yet, keep it on yourself. No, it's safer in your own wallet."

Bai Lu thought for a moment and suddenly asked, "Do you have a wallet? If not, I'll buy you one."

Xiao Cheng shook his head, "No."

Assertively, he said, "You buy for me."

Bai Lu wiped her face, showing an expression of disbelief, "Do you really not have a wallet?"

It couldn't be possible.

Big shots weren't entry-level workers just starting in society.

The rewards for working for the big boss were not small. Without a wallet, where would he put his money? A sack?

Seeing Bai Lu's distrustful eyes, Xiao Cheng got angry and threw the pillow aside, taking out all his belongings from the pockets of his clothes.

Five, ten, twenty, fifty, one hundred... The pile of money added up to at least a thousand yuan.

Indeed, he didn't have a wallet. Besides money, there was only money. He didn't even have a cigarette or a lighter. Bai Lu didn't know if he had finished smoking and didn't have time to buy more, or if he bought some but didn't bring them with him.

However, Bai Lu hadn't seen Xiao Cheng smoke recently, and she hadn't smelled the tobacco scent on him.

"Lulu, buy me a wallet," Xiao Cheng suddenly spoke, reminding Bai Lu again.

Looking at his face that would get angry if she didn't buy, Bai Lu reluctantly nodded, "Okay, I'll buy it for you tomorrow."

The child was finally satisfied.

Leisurely organizing the money on the bed, one by one, neatly stacked. When he reached a twenty yuan bill...

Something small shook off.

Bai Lu picked it up and looked at it carefully, confirming it several times. Finally, she was sure.

"This is my hair clip."

Xiao Cheng didn't deny it and admitted directly, "Yes, Lulu's hair clip."

Bai Lu pinched the small black hair clip with a puzzled look, "But when I cut your hair before, didn't you already return it to me? I only put one hair clip in your pocket at that time... No, maybe when changing clothes, I accidentally knocked another hair clip off the table, picked it up, and..."

"It seems like I put it in your pocket casually." Bai Lu couldn't remember clearly about such a long time ago.

However, "Both hair clips are in your pocket. Why did you only return one when cutting your hair?"

Bai Lu looked at Xiao Cheng, who was picking up money with a puzzled expression.

Xiao Cheng didn't lift his head, and he answered matter-of-factly, "You didn't say you wanted both."

Bai Lu: "..."

Communicating with a child required very stable emotions, as well as an immense amount of tolerance and understanding.

No problem, this was her strength.

Not at all angry.

Xiao Cheng neatly arranged the money, looking up at Bai Lu, he asked, "Are you still buying clothes?"

"What clothes?" Bai Lu didn't follow his mental leap to outer space.

Xiao Cheng looked at Bai Lu's light and thin knitted sweater, "The clothes you wear."

The light-colored sweater on Bai Lu wasn't thick, nor was it too thin. It was a conservative style.

Actually, nothing could be seen, but being stared at by Xiao Cheng for so long, she felt a bit embarrassed.

"No need to buy more. You've already bought me two sets of dresses and a coat, enough to wear."

"No pajamas." Xiao Cheng brought up the type of clothing deliberately ignored by Bai Lu.

Bai Lu didn't have pajamas and always used sweaters as pajamas. When it was cold, she wore thick ones; when it was neither hot nor cold, she wore thin ones, just like now, "No need to specially buy pajamas. What I'm wearing now is pajamas."

Xiao Cheng corrected, "A sweater is not pajamas."

"Right, right, you're right." Bai Lu didn't want to argue with a child, "Next time I have time, I'll go buy pajamas on the street, real pajamas."

But Xiao Cheng said, "The clothes on the street don't match you."

Bai Lu raised her eyebrows in surprise, seeing a profound and mysterious expression on Xiao Cheng's face. The clearly revealed deep eyes also seemed to have recovered a trace of clarity.

This... Did the big shot recover?

"Sao Cheng?" 

As soon as the words fell, Xiao Cheng on the opposite side furrowed his brows, "Call me Ah Cheng!"

Bai Lu: "..."

Okay, she thought too much.

"Ah Cheng."

Satisfied, Xiao Cheng nodded, holding money in his left hand and gently holding Bai Lu's soft hand in his right.

"I will buy better clothes for Lulu."

Bai Lu lifted her gaze slightly, meeting Xiao Cheng's serious eyes and earnest tone, feeling a slight tremor in her heart.

Grandpa had once told her to live well no matter what circumstances she faced. External possessions didn't matter; surviving was the essence of life.

She had always remembered that. In the struggle for survival, those who adapted to the times survived. Without the ability to change the era, adapt to the era in a way she could accept.

Strive to become a better version of herself so that when they meet again, she won't disappoint anyone.

She had never thought about using a better way to treat herself, but Xiao Cheng not only thought about it...

He also did it. 

Chapter 174: Okay, Okay, Okay

At the doorstep.

Xiao Wei was still leaning against the door frame, eagerly waiting.

Under the bright lights, a small figure appeared particularly resolute.

Bai Lu waved and greeted from afar, pinching Xiao Cheng's ear, "Hurry up, kid."

Xiao Cheng stopped and retorted, "I'm not a kid!"

Bai Lu couldn't help but laugh, "Okay, okay, okay, you're not a kid, you're a big kid, alright?"

"Let's go, let's go, Xiao Wei is getting impatient... Tell this little guy to go back and sleep early. He should have listened and not waited. He's just as stubborn as you."

Xiao Cheng stopped again and argued, "I'm not stubborn."

Bai Lu was truly amazed, "Yes, yes, yes, you're not stubborn, I'm stubborn, I'm the most stubborn, okay?"

Xiao Cheng nodded seriously, "Okay."

Bai Lu: "..."

Xiao Wei always thought that waiting at the door was the right thing to do until he saw Xiao Cheng bringing back Bai Lu, an unprecedented and shocking scene that shattered his understanding.

A small thought finally popped into his mind.

Excess.

He might be, well, a bit unnecessary.

Better go back to sleep.

Bai Lu looked at the small figure that greeted and immediately went back to the room, asking Xiao Cheng, "What happened to Xiao Wei?"

Xiao Cheng said, "I don't know."

Bai Lu looked at the clock on the wall. It was past midnight, and the poor little guy had been waiting so late.

Let's cook some supper to treat everyone.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

Bai Lu had just knocked on the door, and it opened.

A small head popped out from the door, looked at Bai Lu, and then at the man standing beside the door with an expressionless face.

"Big brother, big sister, is there something?"

Bai Lu asked, "Are you hungry? I'll cook some noodles. Let's have supper together?"

Xiao Wei looked up at Xiao Cheng, who didn't look at him but at Bai Lu.

Seemingly neither angry nor anxious.

Xiao Wei nodded happily, "Okay."

Three servings of noodles were quickly prepared, with tomato and egg as side dishes. Bai Lu didn't add any chili, as Xiao Cheng's mouth had a small injury.

After finishing supper and brushing their teeth, Xiao Wei obediently went back to sleep.

After the simple first aid incident where Bai Lu used toothpicks and cotton to disinfect Xiao Cheng when he first arrived, Bai Lu earned some money selling chestnuts and bought cotton swabs, medical disinfectant, and medicine.

Originally bought as a backup, hoping that no one would get injured. However, they didn't expect to use them so soon.

At the table by the window, two figures sat facing each other. Bai Lu used a cotton swab dipped in disinfectant to gently wipe Xiao Cheng's mouth.

His lips were a bit bruised, and the small bloodstains were from reopening old wounds that had already healed.

So, when she said Xiao Cheng was unharmed at the nightclub, she wasn't entirely wrong.

The old wounds were none of Hu Biao's business, so it counted as being unharmed.

"Lulu." Xiao Cheng held Bai Lu's other free hand. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Bai Lu raised her eyes slightly and saw Xiao Cheng's obvious nervousness. She knew he was still a child.

A deep and restrained big brother, never showing emotions outwardly. His words were also reliable.

Children say things today and forget tomorrow, with fragmented memories. What they say today is just empty words.

Bai Lu sighed helplessly, "What should be said has already been said. I don't want to say more."

Xiao Cheng held onto Bai Lu's hand tightly, "I won't fight anymore."

Bai Lu looked at him and didn't say anything.

Sometimes, some things are inevitable. Not everything can be resolved by reasoning.

Xiao Cheng plans to develop his career locally. In the future, he will inevitably confront the four giants of Shangnan City, unless he doesn't expand his business and chooses to run a small business like Mr. and Mrs. Yu.

It's hard to say whose path to wealth is superior.

Otherwise, controlling and dividing the economic power of the four giants of Shangnan City will inevitably attract interference and acquisition.

Competition in the industry can lead to unexpected events anywhere, not just in Shangnan City.

Developing locally is still good for Xiao Cheng; he has connections and resources here, providing a lot of assistance.

If it were elsewhere...

Bai Lu remembered Xiao Cheng's hardships and achievements in the bloody path, and her heart softened.

Success is not achieved overnight. One has to go through hardships, trials, and bloody lessons to gain experience from a hundred battles.

Only then can one turn defeat into victory, stand in an enviable position, and enjoy wealth and glory admired by all.

Having absolute authority, from fighting and killing alone to commanding subordinates to fight and kill.

The big boss is the most obvious example.

Some things don't require personal involvement. The people below will act as executioners for him.

In business, the same principle applies. To sit in the position where one commands thousands with a single order and without being born with a golden spoon in their mouth, one must rely on their own efforts to climb to the top.

Xiao Cheng belongs to the latter category—no background, no influence. He has to rely on himself for everything.

Perhaps his way of solving things is aggressive and straightforward, but in this era and background, in this economically constrained place, it is the most suitable solution.

He is not in someone else's position, and he doesn't think like someone else.

Bai Lu won't impose her way of dealing with things on others. Everyone has their own thoughts, ways of doing things, and plans.

So, she doesn't want to say much.

After disinfecting Xiao Cheng's mouth and applying some medicine, she put everything away in its place.

Unexpectedly, when she got up, Xiao Cheng grabbed her hand and placed it on his face.

Like inspecting the territory, he touched his forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, chin, and finally stayed on his face.

"Lulu, I'm not injured."

Bai Lu couldn't get up, so she temporarily put things back on the table and tried to withdraw her hand, but he didn't let her.

Helplessly, she said, "So what?"

Xiao Cheng held Bai Lu's hand tightly, "Don't be angry."

Bai Lu smiled, "I'm not angry."

Xiao Cheng didn't believe it, "You not talking means you're angry."

Bai Lu countered, "I'm not angry."

"You're angry."

"I'm not."

"Angry."

"Not angry."

"Angry."

"Not..." The little child's mouth was covered, frowning at Bai Lu and the delicate jade hand covering his mouth.

Bai Lu heard the grinding sound of teeth through the gaps between her fingers and was afraid of being bitten, so she immediately let go.

Clearing her throat, she explained, "Well, I'm not angry. Don't overthink it."

Xiao Cheng didn't believe and said, "Don't believe you."

Bai Lu just wanted to sleep now and didn't want to coax the child anymore, "What do you want to do to believe? Do you want me to speak?"

Xiao Cheng nodded.

Bai Lu pulled him up, "Let's talk in bed. I'm tired and want to lie down."

Xiao Cheng didn't refuse.

Just as Bai Lu was about to praise him for being obedient, the next second, when she lay down, he hugged her and pulled the blanket over.

"What are you doing?"

Bai Lu lifted the blanket, got up, and pushed Xiao Cheng back outside, saying, "You sleep here. We used to sleep here."

Xiao Cheng disagreed, "I want to sleep inside."

"Fine."

Bai Lu slept outside by herself and pushed Xiao Cheng inside, saying, "Sleep."

Xiao Cheng naturally pulled her back, "Sleep."

Bai Lu: "..."

"Can you not make trouble when you're drunk?"

"I didn't make trouble."

Chapter 173: Always By Your Side

"Wang Hao!"

Before the person arrived, the voice preceded.

Just as Bai Lu was about to give a reminder, a shout that seemed to engulf mountains and rivers had already echoed from the tightly closed courtyard door. Following that was a series of hurried footsteps.

The courtyard door creaked open.

Chen Chunli, with a protruding belly, took a look at Wang Hao standing foolishly outside the door and began scolding him without holding back, "You broke someone's table lamp just by having a meal. Do you think our house is not poor enough for you?"

"Do you even know how much you can handle yourself? Refusing a couple of drinks might kill you! You don't earn much money each day, rushing to compensate for damages, I think you're just..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Chunli's vision darkened, and her clumsy body suddenly fell backward.

He Yulan and Bai Lu, who were close, immediately supported her, one on each side, stabilizing Chen Chunli.

By the time Wang Hao rushed over, Chen Chunli had slowly opened her eyes and yelled at him, "Get away! Your alcohol breath is so strong, do you want to suffocate me?"

Wang Hao indeed reeked of alcohol, and even He Yulan felt a bit dizzy, let alone Chen Chunli.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wei, who had followed Chen Chunli outside, was now leaning against the door frame, shaking his head and rubbing his eyes vigorously.

Wang Hao retreated a considerable distance, and the air at the door, filled with the smell of alcohol, slowly returned to normal.

Chen Chunli, with her nearly intoxicated mind recovering, continued scolding as she was being supported by He Yulan and Bai Lu towards Wang Hao's house.

"Let's go home first; we can talk about it there."

Chen Chunli didn't dare to push Bai Lu, remembering vividly the scene when she was reprimanded by Bai Lu last time. Moreover, Xiao Cheng was watching nearby, his face dark and chilling, sending shivers down the spine.

It seemed like he would fight anyone who dared to touch Bai Lu, and his cold and stern gaze was anything but a joke.

Walking with Bai Lu was definitely no laughing matter.

Chen Chunli remained silent on the way until she was brought home.

Only after closing the door did she start grumbling again.

Xiao Cheng, who had just turned around to leave, suddenly looked at Bai Lu and said, "My gentle Lulu is still mine."

Bai Lu smiled without saying a word.

This guy was still in a drunken state; it was better not to engage with him. If you did, he would surely keep asking endless questions.

Ignoring Bai Lu, Xiao Cheng took a step forward, blocking her way. "Are you tired?"

"No," Bai Lu replied, bypassing him and continuing to walk.

The night breeze gently brushed past, the lights at the neighbors' houses were on, illuminating the figure that once again surpassed the girl.

That tall and sturdy figure, with his back to the girl, bent down in front of her.

"I'll carry you."

Bai Lu paused for a moment, bypassed Xiao Cheng, and continued walking. "No need, I'm not tired."

Xiao Cheng came forward again, blocking Bai Lu. His handsome face showed a clear expression of anger.

"Hurry up!"

A three-year-old child inebriated by alcohol always loved to get angry. He didn't like anyone defying him; defiance would result in a tantrum.

And he used a look that he thought was very fierce to scare people, not realizing that, in fact... it was quite cute.

Bai Lu smiled, staring at the straightened little boy. "If you don't bend down, how can I get on?"

Xiao Cheng immediately bent down.

As Bai Lu settled on his back, Xiao Cheng slowly stood up, his long and powerful hands firmly supporting Bai Lu's legs, walking steadily.

The figure under the moonlight gradually moved away.

In the gaps between streetlights, small star-shaped lights flew around, surrounding the silhouette under the moon.

Bai Lu raised her hand and grasped.

Her small white fist extended in front of Xiao Cheng. "Guess what's inside?"

Xiao Cheng knew what it was and straightforwardly answered, "Fireflies."

Apparently, the child had no romantic cells.

Bai Lu slowly opened her hand, a tiny starlight stopped in her fair palm, slowly spreading its wings and flying away.

A speck of starlight leaped past Xiao Cheng's eyes, flying into the distance, and the light in his deep pupils gradually faded.

He halted his steps, and his arms subconsciously tightened.

Chen Chunli, who was on his back, felt the movement, and she spoke out with a scold, "What are you doing? Let me down!"

But Bai Lu's attention was elsewhere.

She didn't see Xiao Cheng's expression, but she felt the arms around her tighten.

Hearing what seemed like a melancholic murmur from him, "Will they come back?"

Bai Lu thought he might be upset about being pinched, so she immediately raised her hand to pat his head. "Of course, they'll come back."

"The environment here is so good, the air is so fresh, there are green trees on the roadside, and the rural paths are filled with the fragrance of rice flowers. They just go out to explore the world, and they'll come back eventually. After all, this is their home..."

Xiao Cheng, feeling the warmth transmitted from the top of his head, seemed to awaken from his heavy and sluggish mind.

"Do you like it here, Lulu?"

Bai Lu hadn't been here for a long time, but every day felt fulfilling and happy.

Smiling, she replied, "Of course, I like it here. There are green mountains and clear waters, earthly fireworks, friendly and harmonious neighbors, honest and kind villagers from the Xiao family, and you and Xiao Wei who treat me well. I really like it here."

The previously indifferent expression in Xiao Cheng's deep eyes suddenly stopped.

There were still questions that hadn't been asked, but they were covered by the laughter that sounded like silver bells, dispersing into the gentle night.

Chapter 172: Overestimating One's Abilities

In Xiao Cheng's memory, Bai Lu had witnessed scenes where he dominated overwhelming battles, facing fifteen strong men as if it were a trivial matter.

However, injuries were inevitable.

It was best not to engage if possible. The display of strength in the previous battle had already been sufficient.

Bai Lu turned to the direction of the counter and said, "Bring me a glass of water."

Although the waiter didn't understand why Bai Lu wanted to drink water at such a tense moment, he quickly went downstairs to the restaurant and brought her a glass of water.

The atmosphere, charged with tension as crossbows were drawn, was suddenly interrupted by Bai Lu's request for water. All eyes were fixed on her.

She continued after taking a sip.

Unexpectedly, the next moment was eye-popping.

Bai Lu not only didn't drink the water but also walked to Hu Biao with the glass and splashed it directly on his face.

"Hiss!"

Gasps echoed throughout the room, even in the dimly lit corners.

Hu Biao, splashed with water on his face, hadn't expected Bai Lu to dare splash water on him. He was stunned for a moment.

After realizing, his anger surged instantly.

"Crash!"

The glass shattered in front of Hu Biao, and sharp fragments of all sizes scattered everywhere, with many landing at his feet.

Hu Biao's robust body shivered, frozen by Bai Lu's cold and stern aura. Even his angry shouts at the corner of his mouth subsided.

Xiao Cheng, Wang Hao, and Yu Dongxu were also momentarily stunned. After regaining their senses, they all looked at Bai Lu simultaneously.

Surprise, shock, and disbelief filled the eyes of everyone in the room.

Even the waiter who had just returned to the counter had weak legs and was steadied by his colleague just in time.

They thought Bai Lu was a quiet and obedient girl, or like she sounded on the phone, a gentle and soft wife. They hadn't expected her to have such a fierce presence!

Without saying a word, she directly smashed the glass.

This wasn't the demeanor of a delicate and obedient girl; she was clearly a flaming red rose with a fierce aura!

"Big sis is too domineering!"

Bai Lu coldly looked at Hu Biao. "Are you awake now?"

"You used to be Xiao Cheng's defeated underling, and now you are still Xiao Cheng's defeated underling, forever will be. Do you think winning another fight will change that?"

Hu Biao, who had been exposed, was instantly infuriated, but before he could utter the word "I," Bai Lu coldly interrupted.

"Who gave you the courage to show off in front of Xiao Cheng?"

"Your laughable record of losing over and over again, refusing to admit defeat. Look at your current state, beaten and bruised, bleeding from your head, can't even stand properly."

"Look at Xiao Cheng. Not a single hair harmed. What face do you have to challenge him again?"

Bai Lu didn't speak much, but each word struck at Hu Biao's bones, causing him pain. The beating from Xiao Cheng earlier wasn't painless, but it wasn't as obvious without the mockery from all sides.

Now, not only was Hu Biao in pain, but his face was also burning with intense pain. It felt as if his face had been trampled on the ground.

"Do you want them to..." "Call your group of half-dead lackeys to continue the fight?"

Each time Hu Biao tried to speak, Bai Lu interrupted him with a cold tone. The sarcastic remarks were all based on facts.

This made him tremble all over, and he pushed away the little brother who was supporting him. With a wave of his hand, he delivered a slap.

"Damn woman, you're asking for death!"

"Bang!"

Before Hu Biao's slap could reach Bai Lu, Xiao Cheng kicked him away, sending him flying into the group of strong men behind.

Although there were strong men to cushion his fall, there was still a crisp sound from Hu Biao's chest, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Bai Lu watched the chaos in front of her. Many rushed to help Hu Biao, but she could see the hesitation in the eyes of the fifteen strong men who didn't dare to touch Xiao Cheng. In their hearts, they knew the consequences.

When she arrived, Hu Biao had already been beaten unconscious by Xiao Cheng, but Xiao Cheng had no intention of stopping.

The group of strong men all rushed up to stop Xiao Cheng, but they all called him "Brother Cheng" and didn't dare to lay a hand on him.

Obviously, Xiao Cheng had a formidable reputation among them. They were all people from the same organization, and they knew Xiao Cheng's strength and his style of doing things.

Water and fire don't mix. If they crossed the line today and didn't manage to kill Xiao Cheng here, they would undoubtedly be hunted down by Xiao Cheng in the future.

Xiao Cheng didn't care whether you were paid or doing someone a favor; if you hit him, he would hit you back.

And it would be a hundred times more severe.

All from the same organization, they knew Xiao Cheng's methods and were familiar with his style.

Water and fire don't mix, and if they crossed the line, they had to be prepared for nobody to collect their corpses. Being lowly lives down to the dust, the big boss wouldn't care, and they wouldn't care either.

The hesitance and indecision of the fifteen strong men led to the current situation. Hu Biao watched helplessly as Xiao Cheng and Bai Lu left proudly. The waiter handed him the bill for compensation, and he was so angry that he spat blood on the spot.

The kind waiter immediately called for an ambulance.

Before being carried away on the stretcher, Hu Biao was forced to sign the compensation form with trembling hands.

Wang Hao rode on Yu Dongxu's motorcycle.

Bai Lu and Xiao Cheng shared another motorcycle. On the way back, Xiao Cheng kept asking if Bai Lu felt cold.

Even after Bai Lu answered twice, he kept asking, as if the answers didn't satisfy him, repeating the question over and over.

After answering twice, Bai Lu stopped talking. The consequence of not speaking was that she was hugged by Xiao Cheng all the way.

Upon returning home, Yu Dongxu escorted Wang Hao to Xiao Cheng's doorstep, promising responsibly to keep tonight's events a secret and then rode the motorcycle back home.

"Sister-in-law, is Chunli really inside with my mom?" Wang Hao, who had been riding in the wind for a while, was barely awake from the drunken stupor, but he felt a bit scared to go in.

After being educated by Bai Lu for a while, Chen Chunli had become much more restrained, not hitting him in the past few days.

But her temper had become more volatile, and her emotions were unstable.

Wang Hao was worried that entering like this might scare Chen Chunli, who was already very pregnant.

Just in case she got agitated...

Chapter 171: Even Dragons Have Gentleness

A cold sensation dissipated from his face, and Wang Hao, who was about to pass out, suddenly became clear-headed, his hazy gaze focusing.

From two Xiao Cheng and two Bai Lu, to rows of Xiao Cheng and Bai Lu, finally returning to one and a half Xiao Cheng and one and a half Bai Lu, they could barely stand by the edge of the sofa.

"What just happened..." Wang Hao shook his head, sliding onto the sofa.

Lowering his head to smell the scent of alcohol on himself, he sniffed forcefully, "It smells so good, Cheng Ge, which one is this? The wine given by the little rabbit... good wine..."

Although Bai Lu dodged quickly, Xiao Cheng was still affected by the strong scent of alcohol. His mind, just recovering, gradually became drowsy, and his vision became somewhat unclear.

Instinctively holding onto Bai Lu, he rested his head on her shoulder, "Lulu, I want to go home..."

The surrounding people who were on guard were instantly stunned, shocked beyond belief, their jaws dropping.

Gasps of cold air resounded.

If it weren't for the figures in the corner, lying half-sitting, with heads bleeding and trembling, and the ground scattered with chaotic debris, the smell of blood and various strong alcohol constantly assaulting their senses, they wouldn't believe it.

The moment before, Xiao Cheng was so fierce and brutal, beating people mercilessly, and now he was leaning on the shoulder of an innocent-looking girl, saying he wanted to go home.

His tone was still... not indifferent.

Forgive them for not being able to imagine or believe that Xiao Cheng, who was renowned on the streets as a ruthless and evil dragon, could speak in such a gentle tone.

Certainly not gentle.

Xiao Cheng just treated beautiful girls less coldly; he was still cruel and cold-blooded at heart.

Those who had witnessed Xiao Cheng's brutal methods many times shook their heads, rubbing their eyes forcefully to clear their vision.

Staring wide-eyed, looking at the person standing in front of the almost completely destroyed sofa, was that really Xiao Cheng?

Was the person who spoke just now really Xiao Cheng?

Looking at the girl, would she push Xiao Cheng away, considering the violent and tragic scene that had just occurred?

She should be afraid and push Xiao Cheng away, right?

Unexpectedly.

Not only did the girl not push Xiao Cheng away, but she also hugged him back and said softly, "Okay, let's go home right away."

The hall once again echoed with louder cracking sounds.

Followed by the continuous sound of heavy objects falling.

Bai Lu looked in the direction where the sound came from and saw, not far from Wang Hao, in the corner, figures swaying and falling. Obviously, those who couldn't handle the alcohol had passed out.

This kind of overpowering alcohol, Bai Lu had only seen it once in the future, on the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Two families went to a restaurant for dinner, and Bai Lu's cousin brought a jar of wine from a friend. The jar was tightly sealed, but when her cousin accidentally opened it, the jar fell to the ground and shattered.

The waiter who came to clean up fainted on the spot.

Bai Lu, her mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin, who were all not used to strong alcohol, were all dizzy.

Bai Lu's grandfather immediately changed to another private room.

Later, they learned that the jar of wine was a gift from a friend who was the head of a winemaking family on her cousin's birthday.

Ordinary people couldn't even see it, let alone drink it.

Unexpectedly, in this seemingly backward place like Pingcheng, behind the scenes of the nightclub, there was a powerful figure.

In a place filled with dragons and snakes, it's not suitable to stay for too long. Bai Lu signaled to Yu Dongxu, who was still in a daze not far away, to come over and help Wang Hao.

Yu Dongxu was finally pulled back to reality by the clear and melodious voice of the girl. He quickly ran over to support Wang Hao.

Bai Lu, supporting Xiao Cheng, turned around.

A path was instantly cleared at the entrance that was previously blocked.

But as soon as they took a step, a gnashing sound of teeth came from behind, "Xiao Cheng!"

Xiao Cheng's cold eyes flickered, the disappeared hostility surged back into his eyes, turning fierce and brutal again.

Bai Lu tightened her grip on his hand, looking back with cold eyes at Hu Biao, who had already awakened on the ground, his face covered in blood.

"Calling 120 suits you better."

Not calling the police and not calling for an ambulance is an unwritten agreement and a matter of dignity in street fights. Life and death are determined by fate.

Calling an ambulance before the last moment is admitting that one is a loser and a coward who admits defeat.

Hu Biao, who was helped up by his little brother, became furious. He spat out a mouthful of bloodied teeth, glaring at Bai Lu maliciously, "What are you, letting a woman like you, when did a man's words become something a woman can interrupt!"

Xiao Cheng's fists clenched, veins popping on his knuckles, but his steps were stopped by Bai Lu.

Bai Lu, facing Hu Biao's fierce and evil face, looked calm and spoke lightly, "What do you want?"

Hu Biao sneered at Xiao Cheng, his cold and fierce aura returning. Bai Lu held his hand tightly, turning back to look at Hu Biao, who had already awakened, his face full of bloodstains.

"120 is what you need."

"Let me say it again, if Xiao Cheng doesn't kneel down, kowtow, and apologize to me, don't even think about leaving!"

Just now, Bai Lu didn't understand why the guy at the counter was so respectful to Xiao Cheng, not accepting any money for the good wine, and not letting Xiao Cheng and Wang Hao pay for the damages.

Now, seeing Hu Biao's arrogant and triumphant face with a reinforced force of henchmen, the nervous expressions of the guys at the counter and the security team, their retreat and hands-off attitude, everything became clear.

This was not like Xiao's Village or Xin Town; there was no need for long-term neighborly relationships.

This was the arena, where power determined everything, and whoever won was the law.

Xiao Cheng's battle just now was about establishing dominance, deterring others, and firing the first shot in opening a store in Pingcheng.

If he retreated now, it would be pulling down the altar of prestige that Xiao Cheng had just built.

The respectful attitude of the guys at the counter, the Tian Shang security team, and the various forces lurking in the dark gathering information would all discount their respect for Xiao Cheng, falling to the lowest level.

Even the forces behind the Tian Shang nightclub would start to question Xiao Cheng's position in the arena.

This would be very detrimental to Xiao Cheng's attempt to open a store in Pingcheng. Whether he could make it or not was unknown, let alone managing it.

The path to opening the store would be blocked at every turn.

Chapter 170: It's Over, It's Over

Wang Hao got into a fight with someone and ended up in a private room. When he knocked someone out and was about to drag them out, he was unexpectedly attacked by some bastard.

He was hit on the head and knocked unconscious.

When he woke up just now, he saw Bai Lu leading Xiao Cheng, stepping over the floor covered in red fragments, bypassing the trembling figures on the ground... taking a stroll?

Wang Hao thought he was dreaming.

He stared at the ground for a while, feeling surreal when Bai Lu spoke. It wasn't until he heard a familiar voice calling his name that he confirmed he was back in reality and quickly got up.

Bai Lu looked at Wang Hao, who was limping towards her, frowning slightly, "Is your foot injured?"

Wang Hao lowered his head, looking at the small hole in his kneecap pants where a nail had pierced through. "I got hit by some bastard with an ashtray, felt numb for a while, but it recovered quickly."

Bai Lu nodded as she saw no significant bloodstains on his pants. "Come over and sit next to Xiao Cheng."

Xiao Cheng, who was seated by Bai Lu, immediately stood up, "Where are you going?"

Bai Lu pressed him back onto the sofa, "To get a bottle of wine."

"I'm not drinking anymore," Xiao Cheng decisively shook his head.

Grabbing Bai Lu's hand, he stood up, wanting to go with her.

Bai Lu pushed him back down, "You don't need to drink."

"You're not allowed to drink either." Xiao Cheng stood up again.

If it weren't for the fact that there were still many people around, Bai Lu would have tied the disobedient kid to the sofa.

"I won't drink. You and Wang Hao wait here; I'll go to the counter to get a bottle of wine."

"We'll go together."

Xiao Cheng refused to let go of Bai Lu's hand.

Bai Lu could only take him to the counter.

These two people, whether they valued cleanliness or were good at fighting, had no visible injuries on their faces. There were only minor injuries around their mouths, and their clothes were clean, presenting a sharp contrast to those figures on the ground with bruised faces and bleeding heads.

The only trouble was that there were bloodstains on Wang Hao's knee, albeit not significant, but it carried a hint of a bloody smell.

Pregnant women not only have a keen sixth sense but are also sensitive to smells. Going back like this was definitely not an option.

Bai Lu approached the counter and knocked twice on the tabletop, "Is anyone there?"

Can a broken phone still make a sound?

The two guys hiding under the counter were shocked. They exchanged glances and simultaneously experienced a soul-searching moment.

"Is that the voice of Shangfang Sword?"

"It sounds like Shangfang Sword, right?"

"We both heard the voice; it must be him. I didn't expect the quality of this broken phone to be so good."

"Yeah, broken in half and still making sounds. It's the first time I've seen this in my life."

The marble tabletop was knocked on again, "Is anyone there? Come out and do business."

The two guys inside the counter widened their eyes.

"This broken phone not only has good quality but also has such clear sound. It's like someone is really talking outside."

"Exactly, it's too realistic!"

At the same time, the two guys realized a problem.

"Why isn't there the sound of smashing outside?"

"Is it over?"

The counter guy suggested to the other, "Why don't you go out and check?"

"Go out and find death? I'm not going!"

As soon as the second guy spoke, a cold voice came from behind the counter, "Come out."

Counter guy one: "!!!"

Counter guy two: "!!!"

"Cheng, Cheng, Cheng ge?!!"

"Sis, you're really sis, sis, sis-in-law?"

Bai Lu looked at the two young men who suddenly appeared from behind the counter, full of fear turning into expectation, nodding speechlessly.

Sure enough, Cheng ge's voice was effective. It instantly scared people out.

"Get some wine." The big shot spoke again.

Counter guy one subconsciously turned around, only to find that the liquor wall had been smashed empty. What to do if there's no wine?

Will they be beaten to death?

Counter guy two glanced at the outside situation, where security guards and the people called by Hu Biao had all retreated to the side, cautiously guarding against the counter direction.

To be precise, everyone in the entire venue, whether openly or secretly, was looking at Xiao Cheng standing in front of the counter.

And, the newly born sister-in-law.

Hu Biao lay on the ground unconscious, his group of little brothers lay there, shaking and shivering in the corner, and only one half-injured little brother was supporting Hu Biao.

To be precise, while supporting Hu Biao, he was also vigorously shaking Hu Biao, trying to wake him up from his unconscious state.

The situation was clear, Cheng ge had won.

Counter guy two immediately retreated back into the counter, fumbled out the high-purity white wine that the boss had treasured, and handed it to Bai Lu.

"Sis, only this bottle is left. If it's not enough, I'll make another call... No, the phone is broken. I'll use a pager to call someone up. There's more wine in the restaurant on the second floor."

"No need, it's enough." Bai Lu took the wine with one hand and reached into her pocket for money with the other.

Counter guy two hurriedly refused, "No need, no need, sis, you're our guest. This wine is a gift from Heaven Shang to you and Cheng ge. If you need anything, just tell us, and we'll definitely satisfy your request!"

Counter guy one, after coming back to his senses, also nodded vigorously, "Right, right, right! Whatever you need, sis, just say it, and we'll make sure to do it for you!"

What they said wasn't the usual polite phrase "do our best to satisfy your request" but an absolute and affirmative response.

Their faces were very serious, not joking at all.

Bai Lu was puzzled, turned to look at Xiao Cheng, and Xiao Cheng spoke with a matter-of-fact tone, "It's deserved."

After saying that, he asked her, "What else do you want?"

"No need, it's enough."

Bai Lu, with Xiao Cheng's arm around her shoulder, turned around, saw the fragments on the ground, and suddenly remembered something.

Turning back, she asked, "About the compensation..."

Counter guy two said confidently, "Sis, rest assured, we will settle the compensation and ask Biao ge for it."

There was an unwritten rule on the street: whoever loses, compensates.

In the world of rivers and lakes, the one with the stronger fist is right.

Bai Lu, escorted by the two counter guys with utmost respect, returned to the sofa area with Xiao Cheng.

After telling Wang Hao about Chen Chunli and He Yulan waiting at home, Chen Chunli's unstable emotional state, and the reason for coming out to find someone, she handed the white wine to Wang Hao, "White wine has a strong aroma, it can cover some of the bloody smell. Clean up a bit before going back. Think of a reason for your injured knee on the way back."

It's not suitable to stay here for long.

Wang Hao, who had just fought, was already awake after the fight, understanding Bai Lu's thoughtful intentions.

After expressing his gratitude, he took the white wine, unscrewed the cap, poured some onto his knee to clean the bloodstains.

After cleaning, he poured the remaining wine onto his body.

An intense and pure aroma of white wine instantly scattered, completely covering the smell of blood.

This... was not an ordinary white wine.

It was a high-purity, long-aged, and rare collection from the wine cellar!

Bai Lu immediately pulled Xiao Cheng back, keeping a distance from Wang Hao, thinking of reminding Wang Hao, but it was too late.

The sound of a wine bottle hitting the ground.

Wang Hao, who was overwhelmed by the strong aroma of alcohol, shook his head vigorously. Strangely, he saw two Xiao Chengs and Bai Lus.

"What kind of wine is this... why does it make people... want to sleep just by smelling it..."

Wang Hao swayed, unable to stand steady even next to the sofa, and his eyelids became heavier.

Oh no, he's going to pass out from being drunk!

Bai Lu didn't have time to think, quickly ran back to the sofa, and pulled out the last bottle of mineral water from under the coffee table.

She unscrewed the cap and splashed it on Wang Hao's face before he completely lost consciousness.

Chapter 169: Lulu Arrives

He Yulan was full of apologies, "I'm sorry to have you go out to pick someone up so late at night. These two kids really make people worry. You don't know how to drive, so how will you go to the city to pick someone up?"

Bai Lu smiled and said, "It's okay. Uncle Fugui has a motorcycle. I'll ask Uncle Fugui to give me a ride."

After saying this, she pulled Xiao Wei aside.

In a low voice, she said, "You stay at home and watch over Chen Chunli and Aunt Shen for me. Your brother and I will be back soon. If anything happens, press the callback key on the phone, report your brother's name to the person on the other end, and they will know who to look for. I taught you how to callback on the phone last time, remember?"

Xiao Wei nodded with a tight grip on his clothes. "I remember. You'll definitely come back, right?"

Bai Lu patted his head, "Don't worry, we'll definitely come back, very soon."

"Don't let Chen Chunli and Aunt Shen know about the call, okay? When you make the call, keep some distance from them, don't let them hear the content of the call, okay?"

"Okay, I understand."

Xiao Wei knew that something must have happened to his big brother, otherwise Bai Lu wouldn't have instructed him so carefully.

Anxiously, he watched Bai Lu leave.

It was ten o'clock, and Yu Fugui and Wu Xiuyun hadn't slept yet. They were in the yard sorting out unsold and spoiled fruits.

In the afternoon, Yu Fugui went to the village to replenish fruits, and during the weekend, his children helped trim the branches and sorted fruits by size and appearance. The family was having a lively time.

Upon hearing a knock on the door, Yu Fugui's son, Yu Dongxu, who was sitting closest to the door, got up to answer.

Seeing the visitor, he was stunned, standing there not knowing whether to greet first or ask questions.

Bai Lu knew who the young man in front of her was. After a simple greeting, she directly said, "Hello lAre your parents at home? I need to ask them for a favor."

The word "hello" sounded in Yu Dongxu's ears, making his ears instantly red. "Yes, they are. Let me call them out for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Fugui and Wu Xiuyun, who had heard the voice, were already on their way out.

"Is it Bai Lu?"

"Yes, it's me. Good evening, Auntie Wu, Uncle Fugui."

Bai Lu explained her purpose to the approaching figures, "Xiao Cheng went out to discuss business and had too much to drink. I'm here to pick him up. Could Uncle Fugui trouble you to give me a ride to the city?"

Yu Fugui and Wu Xiuyun, being in the business themselves, understood the dynamics of such social engagements and readily agreed.

"Sure, wait a moment. I'll go back and get the motorcycle," Yu Fugui returned to the yard to fetch his motorcycle.

Wu Xiuyun comforted Bai Lu, "Don't worry, Xiao Cheng is so clever; nothing bad will happen to him."

Bai Lu nodded in response, not going into details.

Just as Yu Fugui was bringing the motorcycle out, Yu Dongxu stopped him at the door.

"Dad, let me go. It's late, and there are no streetlights. You might not see the road clearly."

It took Yu Fugui a moment to realize that Yu Dongxu was subtly implying that his eyesight was not as good as it used to be.

"You little rascal!"

"Dad, just let my brother take Bai Lu to the city. He drives faster than you."

Yu Fugui was pulled off the motorcycle by his younger daughter, Yu Xiaoling, who suddenly ran out, forcing him to relinquish the driving privilege.

With Yu Xiaoling's help, Yu Dongxu successfully got on the motorcycle and set off with Bai Lu.

The silhouette disappeared into the night.

As the night fell, the previously lively scene in the hall on the third floor...

The place was in a mess, with tables, chairs, table lamps, chandeliers, ashtrays, and bottles of various shapes and sizes scattered all over the floor, shattered and broken. There were fragments everywhere.

A large area on the ground turned red.

The glass of the coffee table was shattered, leaving a pool of blood-like red.

Next to the broken phone on the counter, there were two blood-stained teeth and a clock shattered into five or six pieces, with visible marks on the wall from being hit by a heavy object.

Under the only intact crystal chandelier in the hall, a group of chaotic figures engaged in a melee, wielding "weapons" in a fierce fight.

One after another, figures fell, some got up and continued, while others who couldn't get up curled up in the corner shivering.

A man with a fierce look was walking towards a figure lying on the ground, convulsing and trembling. Seven or eight security guards rushed to stop the man, but they were easily thrown aside.

Suddenly, a group of burly men rushed out from somewhere, shouting "Brother Cheng," but the result was the same.

All of them were mercilessly thrown aside by the man.

Until a voice echoed in the hall—

"Ah Cheng."

The two words made the man, who had just raised his foot to kick the convulsing figure on the ground, stop and turn around.

Yu Dongxu saw the man's face clearly, and the reaction that had just been pulled back by the girl's ethereal voice froze again.

His gaze was also frozen by the scene in front of him.

Bai Lu walked through the chaos on the floor to the side of Xiao Cheng, grabbed his hand, and turned to leave.

As she walked, she asked, "Where is Wang Hao?"

"I don't know," Xiao Cheng stared at the small hand holding his, lifting his gaze to the girl's face.

"How did Lulu come?" 

Not finding Wang Hao, and not wanting to talk, Bai Lu continued to ignore the gazes of everyone in the room, leading the feared Xiao Cheng to find someone.

Xiao Cheng shouted, "Wang Hao."

"Brother Cheng, sister-in-law, I'm here..."