Chapter 1680 - 949: Deep Brotherhood

Chapter 1680: Chapter 949: Deep Brotherhood

Suburb of Shashi, Bai Village.

The moment Bai Yusheng’s worn-out scooter reached the gate, the door creaked open, and his wife Li Feng came out to take the handlebars: "We’ve got a guest."

Bai Yusheng didn’t let go of the handlebars: "No matter who has come, it won’t take long. You shouldn’t bother yourself."

Li Feng smiled at her husband’s concern, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "It’s Yao Sanbao."

"Yao Sanbao?" Bai Yusheng froze, staring incredulously at his wife, "Are you serious? He still has the face to come?"

Li Feng reached out to hold her husband’s wrist: "He’s here already, after all... you used to have a good relationship. Don’t be reckless, okay?"

Bai Yusheng sighed deeply and nodded: "I know. Park the scooter here; I’ll go inside first. You close the door."

"Yusheng..." Li Feng reminded him concernedly, "We’re just ordinary folks."

"I know." Bai Yusheng patted his wife and strode into the house, pulling back the heavy curtain as the warm air mixed with the aroma of food rushed at him. Being hungry, Bai Yusheng’s stomach growled.

"Yusheng, you’re finally back." Yao Sanbao greeted while holding the armrest of the sofa, slowly standing up.

Bai Yusheng’s mouth curled into a mocking smile: "Our shabby sofa, not comfortable enough for Mr. Yao, is it?"

Yao Sanbao smiled wryly: "Yusheng, I’ve fallen on hard times. Will you take me in or not?"

"It seems even Mr. Yao has moments to seek help from an ordinary folk like me?" Bai Yusheng snorted, "Is there anything wrong with my ears?"

Yao Sanbao stared at Bai Yusheng earnestly: "If it weren’t for desperation, I wouldn’t want to trouble you. But now, you’re the only one I can trust."

Bai Yusheng heaved a heavy sigh, staying silent as Li Feng came in, chuckling dryly: "It’s been a while since you brothers last met, have a drink. I’ll whip up a couple of dishes." She said while placing the wine on the table before quickly disappearing into the kitchen.

"Yusheng..." Yao Sanbao hesitated, "If you truly don’t want to see me, I... I’ll leave now."

From his tone, it was clear how insincere his words were. After all these years, he still liked to play these empty games, not knowing it was what Bai Yusheng found most annoying. Bai Yusheng sat by the table indifferently, picking at his rice.

The prolonged silence made the atmosphere oppressive.

"Ah!" Yao Sanbao sighed, turning around and moving slowly toward the door. From his movements, it was clear he was waiting for someone to call him back at any moment.

Unfortunately, even as he reached the door, Bai Yusheng still didn’t ask him to return.

Leave like this? Yao Sanbao’s feet wouldn’t move forward; he knew very well what awaited him outside.

The big boss wouldn’t stick up for him. At this moment, he was just an abandoned pawn, with no thread to follow. If he desperately sought help, his end would come even faster.

The so-called friends? Who could he really trust? If he went for refuge, he’d just turn into a stepping stone for someone else’s achievements.

Stay at a hotel? He had appeared in newspapers too often, always in eye-catching news. Even with fake credentials, there was a risk of exposure, a risk he didn’t dare take.

For the first time, he realized being high-profile was also a sin!

With all roads blocked, he thought of Bai Yusheng—his once closest friend, always believing that despite their fallout, Bai Yusheng wouldn’t turn a blind eye during his toughest times, yet now it seemed he had been mistaken.

What should he do?

Going out like this, in such cold weather..., he glanced back inside, seeing Bai Yusheng with his back turned, his shoulders moving as he continued eating.

Sensing his gaze, Bai Yusheng paused for a moment, then said: "The door’s unlocked, no need to see you off."

"Yusheng..." Yao Sanbao’s voice quivered, "I won’t lie to you. If I go out now, I might freeze to death by tomorrow."

"If you had known this would happen, what would you have done differently?" Bai Yusheng put down the rice bowl, "A real man faces his consequences. Choose a path and follow its rules."

"Understood." Yao Sanbao gave a desolate smile, reaching for the door. With words like that, his pride wouldn’t allow him to continue begging.

"Creak!"

The door opened, with the cold wind shrieking into his neck. Instinctively, he shrank his neck and tightened his collar, stepping outside.

The freshly snow-covered road was a bit slippery, and he staggered once, narrowly grabbing the old locust tree by the door to avoid falling flat.

Taking a deep breath, he kept moving forward without turning back. Even in defeat, he still possessed dignity.