Chapter 320 - 250: You Have Unleashed a True Demon

Chapter 320: Chapter 250: You Have Unleashed a True Demon

Fragrant Blossom Courtyard.

Despite the freezing cold outside, the room was as warm as spring.

On a soft couch, Yang Lian’Er was dozing off over the book in her hands.

Suddenly, the book fell to the floor with a soft THUD.

Yang Lian’Er jerked awake. She wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth and gave a long stretch.

"Mengchan, Erya, what are we having for a late-night snack? How about a barbecue? We can grill right here in the room, it’ll be delicious!"

She mumbled to herself as she got off the couch and slipped on her shoes.

Just then, Wu Mengchan peeked in from the outer room. "We just finished dinner a little while ago," she said, a hint of resignation in her voice. "You’re hungry again already?"

"Hehe, I just got a craving for it. Besides, I can eat whatever I want and not gain any weight, so why shouldn’t I eat more?" Yang Lian’Er said with a wide smile.

Erya, who had been practicing stance training with Mengchan, couldn’t help but smile, pressing her lips together.

After spending so much time together lately, any initial awkwardness between her and Yang Lian’Er had completely disappeared. The two had become as close as sisters.

She found Yang Lian’Er to be a fascinating person.

Though she was stunningly beautiful and quite talented, she had a lazy, gluttonous, and completely carefree personality.

All in all, you never had to overthink things around her, nor did you ever have to worry about being deceived.

It was a uniquely relaxing feeling, one that helped Bai Erya—who had always been a little insecure about her origins—to gradually come out of her shell and become more cheerful.

"I swear, there’s no talking you out of anything!" Resigned, Wu Mengchan stopped her stance training to slice meat and prepare the grill.

"Hehe, I knew it! Mengchan spoils me the most!" Yang Lian’Er said, beaming.

But just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Third Brother Xie pushed his way in.

"Third Brother!" the three young women greeted him warmly.

"What’s all this, then?" Third Brother Xie asked with a smile and a nod.

"Lian’Er said she was craving barbecue, so we’re getting the meat ready," Wu Mengchan explained.

"Let me do the slicing. You three can get everything else ready." Third Brother Xie naturally took the cleaver and began deftly cutting the meat.

The three of them were already used to this.

Ever since Wu Liangchen left, Third Brother Xie had often dropped by to join them for meals.

Tonight was no exception.

But just as they were setting up the grill, a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded from outside, immediately followed by Yan Feng’s panicked voice.

"Third Brother, can you come out? I have something urgent to discuss."

Third Brother Xie frowned, then put down the cleaver and strode out of the room.

When he saw Yan Feng, his heart tightened.

Yan Feng looked utterly terrified, completely at a loss. It was clear that something terrible had happened.

"What happened? Did the East Sea people force their way in?" Third Brother Xie asked immediately.

"No, but it’s close." Yan Feng leaned in and whispered a few words in his ear.

The color drained from Third Brother Xie’s face. "Is that true?" he demanded sharply.

Yan Feng’s voice was choked with emotion. "Third Brother, how could I possibly joke about something like this?"

Third Brother Xie took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm, but his trembling frame and ashen face betrayed his inner turmoil.

Tears streamed down Yan Feng’s face. "Third Brother, what do we do now?" he asked in a low voice.

"Who knows about this right now?"

"Just me, Yunlong, and a few of the other brothers," Yan Feng said. "I didn’t dare let everyone else know."

"Alright. Keep this under wraps. No one is to breathe a word of this without my direct order."

"Yes!" Yan Feng nodded, then glanced hesitantly toward the room.

"But Third Brother, what are we going to tell Miss Bai? A secret like this won’t keep forever. If she finds out..."

"We can’t worry about that right now. We’ll keep it from her for as long as we can. Hopefully until Xiaowu gets back. Otherwise..."

Third Brother Xie didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: only Xiaowu’s return could quell the storm this would cause. Otherwise, knowing Bai Erya’s gentle exterior concealed a will of steel, the consequences of her learning the truth were simply unimaginable.

"Don’t just stand around. Start hunting for the killer immediately," Third Brother Xie ordered through clenched teeth, his face a mask of cold fury. "I don’t care who it is. I’ll make them pay!"

Yan Feng nodded without hesitation. "Don’t worry, Third Brother. If I don’t get to the bottom of this, I’ll have failed to repay Uncle Bai for all the wontons he’s treated me to."

Yan Feng left.

But Third Brother Xie remained standing in the courtyard, not moving for a long time.

He didn’t know how he was going to face Erya.

Though they hadn’t known each other long, he’d grown very fond of the girl, who was gentle on the surface but had a strong will of her own.

For that very reason, the thought of the tragedy she was about to face made Third Brother Xie’s chest feel as if it were being crushed by a boulder, making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly.

He raised a hand and slapped himself hard across the face, inwardly cursing himself for being a complete fool.

’Why? I knew the East Sea people had taken control of the Huangpu Guard, so why did I still let Uncle Bai go out to his wonton stall?’

’I should have found a way to keep him at home, no matter what.’

’And even though I ordered Flower Square to close up shop, why didn’t I think to arrange for more of our brothers to patrol the streets?’

’But it’s too late for any of that now.’

He could only stand there in the cold wind, struggling to master his turbulent emotions. Finally, he took a deep breath and turned back to the room.

By now, the grill was set up. Yang Lian’Er was using a large pair of tongs to arrange the sliced meat on top, and a rich, savory aroma filled the room.

None of the three young women noticed anything amiss with Third Brother Xie. Bai Erya even greeted him with a smile.

"Third Brother, hurry! I’ve already prepared your dipping sauce. Come sit and eat!"