Chen Yang couldn't help but wonder about the meaning behind Yang Ling's call. Given Yang Ling's status, it made no sense for him to make meaningless threats.
"What are you really trying to say?" Chen Yang asked directly.
Yang Ling responded, "As I mentioned earlier, I underestimated you. The grudge between us, regardless of who is right or wrong, is already established. This matter cannot be resolved so easily. How about this, I consider you an equal opponent, and we have a life-and-death duel in the ring."
This was Yang Ling's blood courage. Despite his high position, he was still a martial artist who needed to defend the honor of the Shaolin lay disciples with his life and blood.
Chen Yang didn't think twice before saying, "Come on, Yang Ling. None of you Shaolin lay disciples keep your word. When I fought Luo Ren in the life-and-death duel, everyone agreed it was a matter of life and death, and no one else should interfere. But what did you do afterward? If I fight you now and lose, then I deserve to die. But if I win, your martial uncles from the Yong generation will just jump in again. Wouldn't it be endless?"
"No, I can report to the Yong generation martial uncles. We'll make everything clear face to face," Yang Ling said.
Chen Yang replied, "None of that matters. I don't trust you. Even if I did, I wouldn't fight you."
"Why not?" Yang Ling's tone became slightly agitated.
Chen Yang chuckled and said, "You're thirty years old, and I'm twenty-four. You're experienced, at the peak of your power, and your skills are already profound. I'm still on the rise. At this point, I have to admit I'm not your match. A martial artist needs to be brave, but if you know you can't win and still fight, that's not bravery, it's stupidity."
Yang Ling was rendered speechless.
Chen Yang continued, "Yang Ling, we've both reached a certain level. While I care about these women, if you really use them to threaten me, I can let them go. If you kill them, I'll just seek revenge on you. I can make that decision. You're porcelain, and I'm a clay pot. Weigh your options carefully." With that, he hung up the phone.
Chen Yang's message was clear: if Yang Ling captured Su Qing and the other women to coerce him, Chen Yang wouldn't give in. Instead, he'd retaliate even more fiercely.
This isn't a TV drama where you capture my woman, and I cut myself with a knife, kneel down, and meet all your demands.
Would that work?
No, it would only lead to self-destruction and harm the women. Chen Yang, as a modern person, would say: Go ahead and kill. Once you're done, I'll make you pay an even heavier price. If someone can't make such a decision, they shouldn't aim for great things.
When Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, had his parents captured by Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu threatened to cook them if Liu Bang didn't open the gates. Liu Bang's response was, "Go ahead and cook them, but please share a bowl of the soup."
That's where the idiom "share a bowl of soup" came from.
Imagine if Liu Bang had opened the gates back then, would there have been a dynasty lasting hundreds of years?
After hanging up the phone, Chen Yang didn't think much about it. Yang Ling's skills were deep and unfathomable, and there was no way he'd foolishly agree to a duel. He knew he wasn't a match for Yang Ling in a fair fight, but when it came to schemes and tricks, he didn't fear him.
This was also why Yang Ling was cautious now.
Leaving that aside, Chen Yang then peacefully went to sleep.
The next morning, Chen Yang got up and went about his routine. When he met Su Qing, she didn't even glance at him, treating him as if he were air. Chen Yang felt extremely frustrated.
After Su Qing finished washing up, Chen Yang offered to drive her to work. Su Qing replied indifferently, "No need." Then she added, "I'll talk to President Mu later and move out soon."
Chen Yang was bewildered. He grabbed Su Qing's arm and asked, "What's going on? Qing Jie, did I do something wrong?"
Su Qing quietly pulled her arm away and said, "It's not your fault." Then she picked up her bag and headed out to take the bus.
Chen Yang, known for his temper, suddenly lifted Su Qing and tossed her into the car. He got in, locked the doors, and pinned her down in the back seat.
Su Qing's face showed panic. The two of them were squeezed into the cramped back seat, with Chen Yang feeling the softness of her body. Suddenly, he kissed Su Qing's tempting red lips.
Damn it, Chen Yang was frustrated. They were all lovey-dovey in the detention center, so why this sudden change?
As soon as he kissed her, his tongue hurt. Su Qing had bitten him.
Chen Yang, in pain, had to let go.
Su Qing stared coldly at Chen Yang, her eyes devoid of any emotion.
Although he desired Su Qing, Chen Yang couldn't force himself on her. He moved to the front seat, sat down, and said, "What happened? Can't we solve it together?"
Su Qing sat up, her hair slightly disheveled. She began to tidy her hair and smooth out her skirt.
This seductive action was both graceful and alluring.
Watching from the rearview mirror, Chen Yang found it hard to restrain himself. This enchantress was really torturing him!
The more unattainable something is, the more desperately one desires it.
Chen Yang was currently in that phase.
"Nothing happened," Su Qing said. She then opened the car door and left.
Chen Yang knew better than to continue pestering her.
Unable to drive Su Qing to work, Chen Yang didn't feel like going to work either. He didn't care much about the job; his only concern was the safety of Lin Qingxue and the others. But now, it seemed their safety wasn't an issue.
Chen Yang decided to have a bowl of beef noodles at a roadside stall, then went back to his apartment and slept soundly. He was carefree and slept until two in the afternoon.
At this point, his phone suddenly rang.
Chen Yang, still groggy, answered the call.
Tang Qingqing's playful voice came through, "Hey, Chen Yang, what are you doing? Why aren't you at work? Don't you respect any rules?"
Hearing Tang Qingqing's voice lifted Chen Yang's spirits. He sat up and laughed, "What's up? You miss me already after just one day?"
"Miss your sister!" Tang Qingqing retorted. "You have your Su Qing, why would I miss you?"
Chen Yang chuckled, "Haha, sounds like you're jealous. How about I take you too?"
"Go to hell!" Tang Qingqing hung up.
This girl was always infuriated by Chen Yang. He laughed, but soon Lin Qingxue called. She chided him gently, "Chen Yang, Qingqing was kindly inviting you out to eat. Can't you be nicer to her?"
Chen Yang laughed, "It's just a joke. No worries."
Lin Qingxue said, "You're probably still at home sleeping, right? Haven't had lunch yet? Where do you want to eat? Qingqing and I will treat you."
Not wanting to move, Chen Yang replied, "I'll just cook some noodles at home. No need to trouble yourselves. I'm fine."
He was genuinely touched by their concern. It was the warmth of friendship.
Seeing Chen Yang wasn't interested, Lin Qingxue didn't push. After a brief chat, they hung up.
Chen Yang went back to sleep.
But he hadn't slept long when he heard the sound of a car outside.
Recognizing it as the sound of an Audi A6, he realized Mu Jing had arrived.
Wearing just his boxers, Chen Yang went to open the door.
Mu Jing, in a black low-cut dress, looked cool, sexy, beautiful, elegant, and graceful. She seemed to embody all the virtues of femininity.
Chen Yang stood at the door, his eyes inadvertently drawn to Mu Jing's cleavage. The sight made him feel a surge of heat in his abdomen. Despite his thick skin, he felt a bit embarrassed, quickly bending over to clutch his stomach, and said, "My stomach hurts, I need to use the bathroom."
Mu Jing couldn't help but laugh. Then she said seriously, "Alright, stop pretending. I have something important to discuss."
Chen Yang laughed and composed himself, calming his thoughts. After a moment, his mind was at peace.
The difference between masters and ordinary people is that they can control their thoughts and emotions.
Ordinary people often succumb to fear or desire in the face of danger or temptation.
But experts like Chen Yang and Mu Jing can keep their minds calm when needed, as steady as a monk in meditation, whether faced with imminent danger or seductive allure.
"What's the important matter?" Chen Yang led Mu Jing into the house, quickly dressed in a white shirt and trousers, and ran some water through his hair to tame it.
Mu Jing said, "I heard some news. The Nansha Wharf of the Yang Group, and the entire crew of the Mingchun have been destroyed, with more than seventy people dead. This was Ye Buyi's doing, right?"
Chen Yang saw no reason to hide the truth from Mu Jing. He nodded, "Yes."
"Was it your idea?" Mu Jing's eyes were filled with complex emotions as she asked.
Chen Yang said "It can be considered what I meant."
Mu Jing went silent for a long time before saying "I didn't expect that you would have such ruthless determination."
Chen Yang said in a deep voice, "If Yang Ling is not allowed to feel fear, fear, Yang Ling will always be foolish. As for those innocent people, I can only apologize. Because Little Leaf enforces the law of the jungle, and the law of the jungle is just that, the weak are the strong."
Mu Jing said "I know you are not a murderous person. You didn't account for Ye Buyi doing this right? It's just that Ye Buyi is a born killer, you can't curb his killing intent. Otherwise, if his killing aura is suppressed, his strength will be greatly reduced. So instead, it will harm him. Right?" Mu Jing suddenly said.
Chen Yang could not help but look at Mu Jing one more time and said, "Talking to you is really the easiest." This was an admission on his part.
Chen Yang also did like chatting with Mu Jing, the two of them could talk about anything without hiding anything. Because they understood each other.