Hearing this, I glanced at Xuan Ling. I believed that the humiliation she had suffered from Zeng Hong was harsh, yet she hadn't uttered a word of complaint or sought my solace. Her resilience touched me deeply. I said softly, "Don't worry, I will take good care of Xuan Ling."
Cheng Na shook her head. "Men's words are no different from the wind—they talk big but rarely follow through. Prove it. Publicly declare your love for Xuan Ling at school. Let the whole world know that you're together. Make that vile woman shut her mouth once and for all."
Her demand made me frown. I wasn't someone who sought attention, preferring to remain unnoticed. Drawing attention only exposed vulnerabilities I wasn't ready to face. So, I couldn't agree to Cheng Na's suggestion. Grabbing Xuan Ling's hand, I headed toward the car, but Cheng Na stood firm.
"What's the matter? Are you afraid, or do you have something to hide? Are you thinking of keeping your options open?" she challenged.
Xuan Ling quickly tugged on Cheng Na's sleeve. "That's not it! I know Zhao Fei loves me. Cheng Na, please don't push him. I beg you…"
"You're such a fool, Ling!" Cheng Na shot back sharply. "If he truly loves you, why won't he do something as basic as this? Isn't love about being proud of the person you're with?"
I looked at Xuan Ling, and our eyes met. In hers, I saw disappointment. I understood. Every girl dreams of a heartfelt confession from the one they love. My refusal must have hurt her. Saying nothing, I got into the car and called out, "Xuan Ling, get in."
Hesitant and on the verge of tears, Xuan Ling looked torn. I hadn't meant to put her in this position, but Cheng Na's relentless pressure left me with little choice.
Eventually, Xuan Ling coaxed Cheng Na into the car. I glanced at Cheng Na through the rearview mirror and said, "You care for Xuan Ling, and so do I. But I hope you can respect me as I respect you. Please don't interfere in our relationship. Your love for her is admirable, but you don't have the right to make her choices for her."
Cheng Na's eyes blazed with indignation. "My best friend is kind to a fault, but kindness doesn't shield you from being exploited or deceived. She doesn't have Zeng Hong's family background or beauty, yet she naïvely trusts you. How can I not worry?"
I started the car and, after a moment of silence, replied, "That's your fear, not Xuan Ling's. She loves me as I am, and I love her for everything she is. That's something you can't understand. I don't need to prove anything to you, only to her—and I already have. So, rest assured. Thank you for looking out for her, but please continue to do so, especially when I can't. Protect her for me."
Cheng Na glanced at Xuan Ling, who nodded solemnly. With a sigh, Cheng Na relented. "Fine. Maybe I'm overstepping. But don't think I'm doing this for you—I'm doing it for myself. Now drive. You owe me a meal."
I chuckled lightly. Cheng Na was someone who could pick battles but also knew when to let go.
Calling Wang Gui and Zhao Kui, I suggested we meet at the Kunming Pedestrian Street for a meal. After this, I would probably have to leave again.
When we arrived at the pedestrian street, Xuan Ling pulled me toward a fast-food place. I didn't refuse. While waiting inside, Wang Gui and Zhao Kui soon joined us. I introduced them to Xuan Ling and Cheng Na.
While Xuan Ling and Cheng Na ordered food, Zhao Kui volunteered to handle the task of picking it up. As he queued, Cheng Na remarked, "Not bad-looking. Which school is he from?"
"Handsome? Just a big, silly guy. Is he better looking than me?" Wang Gui teased.
Cheng Na ignored him, chewing gum nonchalantly. Suddenly, her expression darkened. "Hey, see that girl?"
I followed her gaze and saw a strikingly fashionable girl with short hair, pale skin, and a black mini skirt paired with a t-shirt. She looked familiar—one of Zeng Hong's friends, Huahua, who was known to be trouble.
As I watched, Huahua brazenly cut in line right in front of Zhao Kui. I smirked to myself, knowing she might have met her match.
Without a word, Zhao Kui tapped her on the shoulder. She turned, visibly annoyed. "What do you want? Why are you touching me?"
"Do I know you?" Zhao Kui asked coldly.
"Why the hell would I know you, loser?" she snapped.
Before she could say more, Zhao Kui grabbed her and flung her to the side. "Don't know me, yet you dare cut in line?!" he barked.
His booming voice drew laughter from those around, leaving Huahua stunned and fuming. She tried to retort, but Zhao Kui's unwavering defiance left her no room to maneuver.
What followed was a scene that made me laugh inwardly. Zhao Kui, with his unyielding sense of justice, turned the fast-food counter into a battleground of principles, ensuring Huahua learned a harsh lesson about cutting in line.
The evening took a tense turn when Huahua returned with reinforcements. Among them was a short, shady-looking man wearing sunglasses and a garish floral shirt. His swagger spoke of his self-proclaimed authority.
As they surrounded our table, Huahua pointed at Zhao Kui. "That's him! Thinks he's so tough. Let's see how tough he really is."
The short man, smirking, addressed Zhao Kui. "Step outside if you've got the guts."
Zhao Kui rose without hesitation, tossing his chicken drumstick aside. "Fine, but let's not mess up the store. Let's settle this outside."
Despite the growing tension, I intervened, attempting to diffuse the situation. But it was clear that this was just the beginning of something far more complicated.
I stood up and tried to de-escalate. "My apologies for the misunderstanding. My friend here is a bit straightforward, but he meant no harm. Allow me to buy you all a meal as a gesture of goodwill."
The short man sneered, pushing me aside. "Who do you think you are? You think I need your charity to eat at KFC?"
Before I could respond, Zhao Kui stepped forward, his tone icy. "Touch my brother again, and we'll have a problem."
Tensions rose further as Wang Gui, never one to hold back, hurled a hamburger toward the short man. The act enraged him, but before he could retaliate, a familiar face intervened—Huang Qin.
"Qi Ge, don't act rashly. This is the Zhao Fei I told you about," Huang Qin said, pulling the short man aside.
Qi Ge removed his sunglasses, revealing a face even more unpleasant without the disguise—beady eyes that darted around like a schemer's. His expression shifted as he scrutinized me, a mix of intrigue and disdain.
"So, you're Zhao Fei?" Qi Ge said, his voice dripping with mockery.
I nodded. "Yes. Again, I apologize for any offense caused. Let's not make this into something unnecessary."
Qi Ge smirked, lighting a cigarette and letting the moment linger before speaking. "Face is something earned, not handed out freely. If you want me to show you respect, let's have a proper talk. Somewhere quieter."
I hesitated, glancing back at Xuan Ling, whose worried eyes met mine. "Fine," I said, signaling Zhao Kui and Wang Gui to stay behind.
Outside, the air felt heavier. The crowd and the bustling noise of the pedestrian street faded as Qi Ge and I faced off. He flicked his cigarette, his voice tinged with an artificial camaraderie.
"Zhao Fei, I hear you've been doing quite well in Ruili—business ventures, gambling on jade stones, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Qian Guang. Must be raking it in, huh?"
I smiled faintly. "Just luck, nothing more."
Qi Ge chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Luck, you say? That's funny. Businessmen like us know it's about connections and courage, not just luck." He paused, his tone growing sharper. "So here's the deal—I need someone to move some goods for me. You take them across the border, sell them, and we split it seventy-thirty. You keep thirty."
I knew immediately what kind of "goods" he was referring to, and my chest tightened. Smuggling was a dangerous game, one I had no intention of playing.
"I appreciate the offer," I replied carefully, "but I've got my hands full with my current commitments. I'm afraid I'll have to pass."
Qi Ge's smile faded, replaced by a cold glare. "Think carefully before you refuse, Zhao Fei. Opportunities like this don't come often. Turning me down could have… consequences."
I held his gaze, unflinching. "I understand the risks of rejecting you, Qi Ge, but I run my business clean. I can't afford to get involved in anything illegal. I'm sorry."
Qi Ge stepped closer, his voice a low growl. "Clean? You think you're better than me? Don't forget, you're standing on my turf now. You either work with me, or you pay for stepping out of line."
I took a deep breath, keeping my tone calm but firm. "Respectfully, I've given my answer. If there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."
The standoff lasted a moment longer before Qi Ge broke into a sardonic laugh. "Fine. Have it your way, Zhao Fei. But remember, in this world, staying 'clean' comes at a price. Don't come crawling back when things get messy."
He gestured for his men to back off, and they dispersed, leaving me standing in the dim light of the street.
When I returned to the table, Xuan Ling's worried expression softened slightly at the sight of me unharmed. Zhao Kui, however, was visibly agitated. "What did that rat say? Do we need to handle him?"
"No," I replied, sitting down. "Just some talk. Nothing to worry about."
Wang Gui raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. The tension lingered as we finished our meal, but I couldn't shake the unease in my chest. Qi Ge wasn't the kind of man to let things slide easily.
As the night wore on, I knew this encounter was only the beginning of a larger storm brewing on the horizon.
but you are reading, so l love you.