Jiang Shijie’s face turned ashen.
It seemed as if there was no point in saying anything anymore.
Blood was still flowing.
Jiang Shijie could feel his life slipping away with the passage of time, and in the darkness, he thought he saw the Death God beckoning to him. A black, large hand—
In an instant, that hand grasped his heart.
A sudden stop.
Thump.
Jiang Shijie fell to the ground.
Shao Xin, seeing a corpse for the first time, was taken aback, let out a shrill scream, and kept backing away.
Xu Zhaopei repeatedly offered comfort.
As if she had grown accustomed to the scenes handled by Fang Yu.
The scene before her gave Xu Zhaopei sufficient reason to believe that Fang Yu’s identity was far from simple!
Tang Yan turned his head and said with a smile, "Brother Fang, what a coincidence... I was just catching these two traitors, and I didn’t expect to bump into you here."
Coincidence?
Fang Yu didn’t think so.
Nevertheless, he still said with a smile, "Thanks, Brother Tang..."
"You guys should leave quickly, I still need to deal with this," Tang Yan waved his hand.
Fang Yu nodded, with little else to say—
"Let’s go!"
A bright moon hung in the sky, its clear moonlight casting a quiet and beautiful light on everything.
...
Observing the calm expressions of Fang Yu and Xu Zhaopei, Shao Xin was utterly bewildered but was clear on one thing—the waters here were very deep.
After a long silence, Shao Xin finally said, "I’ll keep this matter to myself forever..."
Fang Yu glanced at her but didn’t say a word.
"Thank you, Fang Yu... Thank you for helping me break free," Shao Xin suddenly beamed, saying, "There’s no fate in this lifetime, I hope we can still be classmates in the next... Wishing you and Peipei happiness. I’m leaving..."
Fang Yu and Xu Zhaopei paused in their steps.
Watching Shao Xin quicken her pace, they waved and said, "Goodbye."
If life were only as first encounter, then upon goodbye we’re strangers once more.
The moment Shao Xin saw Jiang Shijie dead, she knew she and Fang Yu were now people from two different worlds. Better to retreat bravely than to proceed with difficulty.
Shao Xin chose to leave of her own accord.
Watching her fading figure, Fang Yu commented with a little surprise, "Peipei, don’t you think she’s a particularly intriguing young— hey, don’t glare at me, I’m just voicing my opinion, not a hint of impropriety."
...
The moonlight clear and bright.
In the car.
Everything that happened today was too bizarre. For Xu Zhaopei, the last time Fang Yu killed someone, she was shocked to her core. This time, Xu Zhaopei was much calmer.
Xu Zhaopei felt that a person who could navigate both light and dark to solve such complex problems was logical.
"Fang Yu, Shao Xin mentioned you disappeared for eight years. What did you go through in those eight years?"
"Let bygones be bygones. Let’s not talk about the past. In case you accidentally reopen my wounds, I actually might cry..." Fang Yu said seriously.
"Cut it out," Xu Zhaopei didn’t let Fang Yu off the hook, pressing on, "Today at Mount Everest, Boss Gu had your back, and now Tang Yan shows up to help you. You know so many important people, surely you’ve made those connections over these eight years. Spill it, what’s the reason?"
"Why help you?" Xu Zhaopei persistently inquired.
"Maybe because I’m quite exceptional," Fang Yu said solemnly, with confidence in the latter half of his statement.
"Can we have a serious conversation?" Xu Zhaopei spat.
Buzz—
The car suddenly stopped.
The night was dense, but the landscape outside was beautiful.
"Are we at your house?"
Sitting in the passenger seat, Fang Yu peered out curiously, looking around to see, not far ahead, the courtyard belonging to Xu Zhaopei’s grandfather, which was an estate; no wonder it was so quiet and secluded.
"I’ve noticed, you’re quite good at flirting," Xu Zhaopei remarked indifferently.
"Am I?"
"Are you not?"
"—"
Fang Yu shrugged, believing that a wise man does not argue with a woman.
"Fang Yu, I want to ask you... Are you really going to Yanjing? I’m asking seriously," Xu Zhaopei said.
Hearing this, Fang Yu tilted his head and glanced at her. Her gaze was very serious.
"Yes, I must go."
"Oh."
Xu Zhaopei remained calm, "Then... have you ever truly liked me?"
Fang Yu burst into laughter, "Of course, you’re so beautiful, who wouldn’t like you?"
"Really?"
"I never lie," Fang Yu claimed.
"That’s perfect, isn’t it? I’m giving you this chance right now..."
"—"
The car door opened.
As Xu Zhaopei said these words, her heart raced uncontrollably, and without looking back, she walked towards the estate.
"Drive the car back yourself," Xu Zhaopei trotted away.
Beep—
Fang Yu honked the horn, leaned out, and called, "I’ll come back!"
The car left the estate.
By the time it returned to the villa, it was already midnight.
Stepping out of the car, Fang Yu let out a long breath...
As if struck by a thought, Fang Yu took out his phone and sent a message to Fan Tong: Meet at the park tomorrow.