Nanshan Restaurant.
Chen Yang's group temporarily stayed here, having heavily injured and unconscious Gu Zhiqing had to be brought along.
Outside a guest room on the top floor, Chen Yang and Shen Shaotian stood silently, facing each other without speaking.
"What did I say before? You and Gu Zhiqing have a mutual appreciation, like the two of you are perfectly matched. I, Shen Shaotian, have always been insightful and ruthless. Well now, didn't I see through you at a glance?"
Shen Shaotian asked Chen Yang for a cigarette, smoked one with an air of satisfaction and spoke with some pride.
"Earlier on the way here, I could see it clearly. You were practically glued together, weren't you eager to meld into one?"
Saying this, Shen Shaotian raised a hand to pat Chen Yang's shoulder, chuckling, "Didn't expect it, you guy, are actually a reserved flirt."
However, Chen Yang stepped sideways, letting Shen Shaotian's hand fall into empty space, and directly ignored him.
Shen Shaotian didn't mind, and smiled meaningfully, "You might not know, this Gu Zhiqing is a famous beauty in this southern region. Her suitors can line up all the way to Red Lotus Valley."
"So, you are a lucky guy too. Even I can't help but feel a bit envious."
Chen Yang glanced at Shen Shaotian and suddenly asked, "Are you the Yong Master of Southern Dipper Academy?"
"Can this even be fake?" Shen Shaotian was somewhat puzzled.
"But you seem more like a gossip enthusiast." Chen Yang looked serious, not forgetting to counter-question, "What do you think?"
Shen Shaotian: "..."
Creaaaaak.
The door to the guest room was pushed open, and Liu Qingmei walked out, sweating profusely.
"How is it?" Chen Yang asked.
"All the wounds are stitched up, not a big problem." Liu Qingmei shook her head, "As for the internal injuries, she'll have to wait until she wakes up and rely on herself to recover slowly."
Chen Yang nodded and walked into the room.
Some bloodstains remained on the floor, and a pile of clothes soaked in blood was discarded aside. Gu Zhiqing lay on the bed, her pale face gradually starting to regain color.
Chen Yang shook his head and sighed quietly.
In many people's eyes, Gu Zhiqing's actions might seem foolish, painfully straightforward, lacking adaptability.
But Chen Yang could understand.
You have your bottom line, I have my persistence.
That's all there is to it.
Just like Chen Yang.
Whether it was stepping down as Supreme Martial Commander in the national war or the subsequent major reckoning, many people advised him that it was completely unnecessary, that he should put these obsessions aside and enjoy life.
But for Chen Yang, these things were a must-do.
Gu Zhiqing was the same.
In this sense, they indeed had some similarities.
"Ah."
Chen Yang let out a long sigh, tidying up the clothes on the floor, preparing to leave.
"You, you shameless!"
Suddenly, a weak but overwhelmingly furious voice slowly spread through the room.
Chen Yang paused, looking towards the bed.
Gu Zhiqing had opened her eyes, two pale hands clinging tightly to the bed's edge, seeming to be struggling to sit up, and a pair of autumn-gaze eyes appeared as if they might ignite.
"You shameless person, who let you touch me?" Gu Zhiqing stared at the bloody clothes in Chen Yang's hands, gritting her teeth.
Chen Yang finally understood, this woman thought he had stripped off her clothes and put on new ones?
"You are overthinking, it was my cousin." With no other choice, Chen Yang could only explain truthfully, finally saying, "You, ah, just focus on recuperating these days, and don't think about leaving. If you tear your wound open, I'll have to find someone to stitch you up again."
"It really wasn't you?" Gu Zhiqing frowned deeply, clearly skeptical of Chen Yang's words.
Chen Yang couldn't help but laugh, "I'm not interested in you."
"Besides, I have a wife, and my child is about to be born."
Saying this, Chen Yang couldn't help but pull a smile at the corner of his mouth, "Get some rest, don't let your mind run wild."
After speaking, Chen Yang left the room.
Gu Zhiqing: "..."
"Hmph!"
Then, she instinctively let out a cold laugh.
It's not that she's narcissistic, but her appearance is truly outstanding, her figure is curvaceous, and at nearly 1.7 meters tall, not just in the southern region, but even across the entire Yuning Mountain, she is particularly exceptional.
And men are all alike, aren't they?
He claimed he's not interested in her?
Especially with that nonchalant manner, it really made Gu Zhiqing quite angry.
Can anyone with a strong sense of pride endure this?
"Bastard!!"
After confirming she could not move, Gu Zhiqing squeezed these two words out from between her teeth.
...
The sun was setting in the west.
Soon, the thick night enveloped the earth.
The Zhou Family publicly voiced out again, roughly saying that the deadline given by them was fast approaching, Chen Yang, don't deceive yourself, you're limited to arrive at the Zhou Family within an hour, otherwise you'll bear the consequences.
Chen Yang, who was preparing to have dinner, upon hearing this message, smiled indifferently, "I didn't want to bother, but it seems I have to go for a walk?"
"There are always some pesky bothersome things that need sorting out," Shen Shaotian chuckled heavily, "Maybe, tonight's dinner, should be at the Zhou Family?"
"Seems like a good idea."
The group agreed wholeheartedly.
As one of the local families in Shisu Town, the Zhou Family ranks in the second tier but their way of operating is exceedingly high-profile.
Otherwise, how could today's scene have been created?
High-profile often accompanies great misfortunes.
Today's event might just verify that.
With the arrival of Chen Yang's group, the already bustling Zhou Family instantly stirred in excitement, be it Zhou Family members or guests, all swarmed to observe Chen Yang curiously, as if watching a circus act.
Because Princess Ling'er would be coming, today's attendees were all well-known figures from Shisu Town's upper class, some of whom were especially bringing lavish gifts knowing Princess Ling'er would be there.
For the Zhou Family, this was their most prominent moment ever.
Zhou Qingyang had not yet revealed himself.
A butler, namely Zhou Quan, glanced at Chen Yang and said blandly, "Young man, at least you're sensible, follow me."
Chen Yang squeezed his fingers, a faint smile on his lips.
Zhou Quan led the way in front, saying, "Still smiling, seems you have a good temperament? However, if you sincerely kneel down and beg, and please Princess Ling'er, she might just spare you."
In the brightly decorated main hall, those standing or sitting were influential local figures.
"Is this the Chen Yang who emerged out of nowhere and dominated the entire Shisu Town for the past two days?"
"I thought you were brave enough not to come, but now it seems you've succumbed, obediently waiting for Princess Ling'er's judgment?"
Various voices arose, inciting a burst of laughter.
Zhou Quan smiled silently, indicating to Chen Yang, "Just stand for now, my master is currently occupied."
"Also, Princess Ling'er will only arrive in a little while."
Chen Yang wasn't in a hurry, leisurely pulled out a cigarette, and slowly lit it up.
"..."