Chapter 50 - 48: Another Breakthrough

Chapter 50: Chapter 48: Another Breakthrough

She returned to her residential complex.

"Three more surveillance cameras have been installed in the complex."

"One of them is even near the stairwell to my apartment."

Xia Yu didn’t know if it was a coincidence. ’Either way, I’ll have to be more careful from now on.’

No one was home.

Her younger brother had started his vacation a few days ago and had been busy with all sorts of gatherings and hanging out with friends. For someone so young, he was quite the social butterfly, and she was happy to have the peace and quiet.

She began her workout.

Just like always.

「5:30 PM.」

Her workout for the day was over, but this time, she didn’t stop. Her body reached its limit, and waves of exhaustion washed over her. A voice in her mind seemed to be whispering, ’Give up. You’ve hit your target for today. There’s no need to push any further.’

Xia Yu still didn’t stop. Her expression was calm as she completely ignored the voice in her head.

Sweat poured off her.

Her chest felt tight.

She couldn’t catch her breath.

An unknown amount of time passed. It could have been two hours, or it could have been ten minutes.

The voice in her head finally disappeared.

The exhaustion in her body dissipated, replaced by an endless surge of strength. The tightness in her chest eased, and her breathing became smooth and even.

’I’ve reached the level of a master athlete.’

Xia Yu was in a good mood.

After persevering for all these days, she had finally managed to improve her strength further before the fifth Mist Event outbreak.

Now, she could slay a Mutated Beast head-on without Xie Shaokun’s help and without getting injured.

’Once I break through again, my body will undergo a qualitative leap.’

Xia Yu was full of anticipation.

She was bursting with motivation.

She trained for a while longer, only stopping when she was ravenously hungry.

It was now nine o’clock at night. Xia Yu took a quick shower and went downstairs to eat.

’Wang Quanzhi?’

Seeing a familiar figure waiting for her at the restaurant entrance, a flicker of exasperation crossed her eyes.

Ever since he had returned her phone three days ago, this man had been constantly trying to get close to her.

His intentions were obvious.

She had no feelings for him and had no intention of leading him on or giving him a chance.

But Wang Quanzhi refused to give up.

’They say even the best woman can’t fend off a persistent man.’

’Too bad for him, I’m no "good woman."’

Xia Yu pretended not to see him. She walked into the restaurant and said, "Sir, I’d like to place a takeout order."

"Xia Yu, what a coincidence."

Wang Quanzhi had no choice but to approach her, forcing a "chance encounter" without a hint of awkwardness. "You think this place has good noodles too?"

Xia Yu shook her head.

Wang Quanzhi froze for a second, then asked, "What? You don’t think the noodles are good?"

Xia Yu replied, "No, the noodles are great. I meant it’s ’not a coincidence.’"

Wang Quanzhi was speechless.

"Ahem."

He cleared his throat and took out a prepared gift box. "Uh... Xia Yu, this is for you."

It was a bouquet made of plush dolls and roses.

It was very exquisite.

Very beautiful.

Xia Yu shook her head, refusing it.

"This gift wasn’t expensive."

Wang Quanzhi hurriedly explained, "I spent ten yuan on a scratch-off ticket and won over sixty. Then I went to a claw machine and won dozens of dolls, sold most of them for over two hundred, and then bought some roses. I combined the roses with the leftover dolls to make this."

"So what I’m saying is, I only spent ten yuan in total."

He had specifically sent people to investigate Xia Yu’s situation. She’d had a rather tragic past, her living conditions were average at best, and she had been pursued by many wealthy young masters but had always refused them, remaining single.

One of those rich kids had even spent a six-figure sum on setting up a venue just to woo her.

He was still brutally rejected.

This proved that Xia Yu didn’t put money first.

That’s why he’d specifically prepared this gift: it cost little money, so she wouldn’t feel psychologically burdened, but it took a lot of thought, so she wouldn’t have the heart to refuse.

This move had never failed Wang Quanzhi.

And right now, he was full of confidence.

"Sorry."

"I have to take a call."

Xia Yu held up her phone and dialed her brother’s number. She chatted idly with him, and by the time her noodles were packed up, she still hadn’t hung up.

After paying in cash, she waved goodbye to Wang Quanzhi and continued her phone call without waiting for his response.

Uh.

A familiar scene.

The corner of Wang Quanzhi’s mouth twitched slightly.

He wasn’t discouraged. A challenge made things interesting and fired up his fighting spirit. "Plan B!"

’When chasing a woman, just thinking about being nice to her isn’t enough. That’s a basic requirement. What guy isn’t nice to a girl he’s pursuing?’

’If you aren’t nice, the girl would never choose you, right?’

’The most important thing is emotional intelligence!’

He had summarized his experience of chasing girls into four principles: think what she thinks, value what she values, solve her difficulties, and be sincere.

Right now, he decided to...

"Value what she values!"

"Xia Yu cares most about Xia Tian, so I have to win over Xia Tian first."

Wang Quanzhi casually handed the gift to a little boy wearing a red scarf nearby.

He wasn’t planning on being an annoying pest.

’It’s fine to be a "persistent suitor," but even persistence has its limits and requires the right methods.’

"Thanks, big brother."

The little boy in the red scarf said his thanks, then ran a few steps and gave the gift to a little girl up ahead.

She was the prettiest girl in their class, Grade 2, Class 1.

Super pretty.

The little girl’s face turned red, and she was overjoyed.

The little boy said, "I spent all my allowance buying you flowers. Can you buy me a landscape-oriented, right-flipping shiny card?"

"Huh?"

The little girl was stunned.

Wang Quanzhi was dumbfounded.

「Xia Yu.」

「Back home.」

"If you’re not back before ten tonight, I’m breaking your legs."

"All three of them, my dear little brother."

"Bye-bye."

With that, she hung up the phone.

「On the other end of the line.」

Xia Tian helplessly pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What’s wrong, Brother Tian? If something’s bothering you, tell us so we can all have a good laugh."

Wang Zhe asked cheekily from the side.

The others at the dinner table also turned to look.

In particular, a girl as delicate as a porcelain doll, whose eyes sparkled with life as she looked at Xia Tian. Her name was Lan Caihe, and she had always had a crush on him.

Everyone had also privately nicknamed her ’Sister-in-law’.

Xia Tian obviously couldn’t announce in public that his own sister was threatening to break all three of his legs. He said, "I was just thinking about why Xie Shaokun suddenly became a wanted criminal."

Everyone sighed with emotion at the mention of his name.

Especially Wang Zhe.

He spoke up, "I was originally going to persuade him to turn over a new leaf, but before I got the chance, the guy just disappeared. Unbelievable."

"Let’s not talk about him. It’s a downer."

"Brother Tian, last time I invited you to the Joyful Picking Garden, you didn’t go. You said Yu wouldn’t let you go somewhere so far away. This time, I picked a place in the city. You can’t refuse now, can you?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Xia Tian, we didn’t think it through last time. This time, we’ll definitely make sure you’re satisfied."

Lan Caihe said.

"Yeah, last time it was Wang Zhe who picked the spot. This time, Cai He picked it herself. You can’t say no."

"Brother Tian will definitely agree."

...

Everyone started to egg him on.

’Joyful Picking Garden?’

Xia Tian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’It’s a good thing I didn’t go there. I heard a Mist Event happened, and the casualties were heavy. Only three people survived, but no one knows who they are.’

’If we had gone, we all would have died there.’

"I can’t."

"I have to go."

Shaking his head, Xia Tian stood up and said, "My sister told me to be back before ten. It’s already nine-thirty. If I hit traffic, I might not make it back in time."

"This... How can you do this?"

"Yeah, Brother Tian, you’re not giving us any face."

...

Everyone was instantly disappointed.

"Brother Tian, want me to give you a ride?"

Wang Zhe knew how important Xia Yu was to Brother Tian, so he didn’t try to persuade him. Instead, he just offered a ride.

"No need."

Xia Tian waved his hand and left. "You guys have fun."

BANG.

The door shut.

A disappointed look appeared on Lan Caihe’s face.

Her best friend, Lin Xiaoxiao, snorted from the side and said, "Doesn’t that Xia Yu meddle a little too much?"

"Does she really think she’s Xia Tian’s mom?"

"And Xia Tian, too. He has no mind of his own, just a total sis-con. He doesn’t think about us at all."

Many of them nodded, showing their displeasure.

This had happened many times before.

It was getting annoying.

If it weren’t for Wang Zhe, they wouldn’t even bother hanging out with Xia Tian.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Wang Zhe knocked on the table from the side and warned, "Lin Xiaoxiao, I don’t want to hear that a second time."

Lan Caihe also spoke up for Xia Tian. "Xiao Xiao, Xia Tian was raised by his sister. It’s understandable that he listens to her."

Lin Xiaoxiao bit her lip, suppressing the resentment deep inside, and nodded in agreement.

Wang Zhe was the leader of their little group; she didn’t dare to offend him.

The others just laughed awkwardly.

"Let’s break it up."

Wang Zhe waved his hand and turned to leave.

"Cai He."

Lin Xiaoxiao said, "I’ll go with you to the Treasure House."

"Thank you, Xiao Xiao."

Lan Caihe was quite touched. She smiled and shook her head. "If he’s not going, then I’m not going either."

"What’s there to thank me for? We’re best sisters." Lin Xiaoxiao hugged Lan Caihe’s arm. Seeing her best friend looking so sad, she hated Xia Yu even more.