Chapter 286: The Villain is Daring

"You don’t have to pretend you’re fine."

Silence.

Her heartbeat became louder.

The teasing disappeared.

The arrogance.

Gone.

Just...

Kindness.

Tang Meilin smiled softly.

"Thank you."

Shen Tian’s expression warmed.

"Anytime."

Again.

That word.

Her cheeks turned pink.

Rose watched.

Gu Qingya watched.

Even Lin Yue on the screen noticed.

Tang Meilin looked down.

Then...

Without really thinking...

Her fingers reached toward Shen Tian’s hand.

Stopped.

She froze.

Too far.

Too obvious.

She began pulling back.

Shen Tian noticed.

Then...

His hand moved.

He took hers.

Tang Meilin froze completely.

Silence.

Rose’s eyebrows rose.

Gu Qingya’s expression changed.

Lin Yue stared through the screen.

Shen Tian squeezed lightly.

"Better?"

Tang Meilin’s face turned crimson.

"...A little."

Her fingers slowly closed around his.

Shen Tian smiled.

Then...

He released.

Tang Meilin stared at her hand.

Her heart was gone.

Completely useless.

She slowly sat.

Rose leaned toward her.

"Still just gratitude?"

Tang Meilin’s eyes widened.

"Rose!"

Gu Qingya burst out laughing.

Lin Yue covered her mouth on the video screen.

Tang Meilin’s entire face became red.

Shen Tian looked toward Rose.

"You’re mean."

Rose smiled.

"You like it."

Shen Tian raised an eyebrow.

Rose froze.

Then...

Her cheeks warmed.

"I meant..."

Shen Tian smiled.

"Careful."

Rose looked away.

"...Whatever."

. . .

Thousands of miles away...

Lu Chen landed in the Middle East.

Hot air hit him the moment the transport door opened.

Dust.

Fuel.

Heat.

Gun oil.

Familiar.

He stepped down.

And for the first time since returning to China...

He felt...

Home.

Not emotionally.

Instinctively.

This world made sense.

Men with rifles.

Concrete barriers.

Armored vehicles.

Contracts.

Death.

No boardrooms.

No arranged engagements.

No women hearing his thoughts.

No Shen Tian.

Lu Chen closed his eyes.

Then...

Breathed.

Viper approached.

"Welcome back."

Lu Chen opened his eyes.

"Where are the others?"

"Waiting."

They entered a fortified compound.

Old Black Wolf markings remained on several walls.

Some scratched out.

Others repainted.

Lu Chen noticed.

His expression hardened.

Then...

A group of mercenaries emerged.

Ten.

Twenty.

Thirty.

More.

Some recognized him.

Their expressions changed.

One man stepped forward.

Middle Eastern.

Scar across one cheek.

"War Wolf."

Lu Chen stopped.

"Karim."

The man smiled.

Then...

Extended his hand.

"Been a long time."

Lu Chen took it.

"Too long."

More approached.

Old soldiers.

Old contractors.

People who had fought beside him.

People Shen Tian had never met.

Lu Chen’s confidence slowly returned.

This was his world.

His network.

His history.

And this time...

Shen Tian wasn’t here.

Viper watched.

Then...

Smiled faintly.

Lu Chen had no idea how carefully this had been prepared.

Xue Long needed him angry.

Needed him strong.

Needed him useful.

And if rebuilding War Wolf required giving Lu Chen a few victories...

Fine.

. . .

Three days passed.

Lu Chen moved quickly.

Contracts reopened.

Former Black Wolf contacts returned.

Weapons flowed.

Money.

Information.

Small victories.

Then...

A major one.

A convoy escort through hostile territory.

Lu Chen led personally.

Twenty-seven attackers.

Black Wolf lost none.

By the end...

War Wolf’s name was circulating again.

Xu Ning’s panel appeared back in China.

[Lu Chen Fate Recovery: +8,000]

Current Fate Value: 314,000

Shen Tian looked at it.

Then...

Closed the panel.

Xu Ning stared.

[That’s it?]

"What?"

[You aren’t upset?]

"No."

[He’s recovering.]

"I know."

[Eight thousand already.]

Shen Tian smiled.

"Let him."

Xu Ning’s eyes narrowed.

[You’re being suspiciously calm.]

Shen Tian looked toward the private training grounds.

Rose stood several meters away.

Hands wrapped.

She had insisted on sparring.

Lin Yue sat nearby watching.

Tang Meilin and Gu Qingya had both come after business meetings.

Chi Lingxi was sitting beside Meng Lan.

More of Shen Tian’s established harem had gathered too.

A casual afternoon.

And...

A perfect opportunity.

Shen Tian stepped onto the mat.

Rose smiled.

"Ready?"

"Always."

She rolled her shoulders.

"Don’t use cultivation."

"Scared?"

Rose’s eyes narrowed.

"Of you?"

Shen Tian smiled.

"Yes."

Her cheeks warmed slightly.

She immediately attacked.

Punch.

Shen Tian blocked.

Second.

Dodged.

Rose spun.

Kick.

Shen Tian caught her ankle.

She froze.

Their eyes met.

Then...

Rose smiled.

"Got you."

Shen Tian’s eyebrow rose.

Her other leg came up.

He released.

Blocked.

Rose landed.

Then charged again.

Fast.

Aggressive.

Skilled.

She had spent years fighting.

Shen Tian could see it.

Not martial arts for sport.

Combat.

Everything direct.

Rose attacked.

Shen Tian parried.

She stepped in.

Elbow.

He blocked.

Then...

Their bodies came close.

Too close.

Rose froze for half a second.

Shen Tian noticed.

"Distracted."

Her face warmed.

"Shut up."

He swept her leg.

Rose’s eyes widened.

She fell.

But...

She grabbed his shirt.

Shen Tian’s balance shifted.

Both went down.

THUD!

Silence.

Shen Tian landed above her.

One hand beside her head.

Rose stared upward.

Their faces...

Inches apart.

Her entire face immediately turned red.

The training ground became completely silent.

Tang Meilin’s mouth opened.

Gu Qingya froze.

Lin Yue slowly raised an eyebrow.

Chi Lingxi covered her mouth.

Bai Xue whispered...

"Oh."

Rose stared into Shen Tian’s green eyes.

Her heartbeat became deafening.

Shen Tian looked down.

Then...

A tiny smile appeared.

"You okay?"

Rose swallowed.

"Y-Yeah."

"Sure?"

"Yes."

"You look red."

Her eyes widened.

"Because you landed on me!"

"I caught myself."

"That’s not the point."

"What is?"

Rose stared.

Then...

Her confidence returned slightly.

She smiled.

"You’re close."

Shen Tian raised an eyebrow.

"So are you."

Her face became crimson again.

Silence.

Then...

Rose slowly lifted her head.

Just slightly.

Shen Tian noticed.

Her eyes moved toward his lips.

Only briefly.

Then back.

Her heart hammered.

She almost...

Almost...

Then...

Bai Xue shouted.

"KISS!"

Rose’s soul left her body.

Shen Tian slowly looked over.

Bai Xue froze.

Everyone stared at her.

"What?"

Rose immediately shoved Shen Tian.

He rolled aside.

She sat up.

Face completely red.

"I HATE ALL OF YOU."

Bai Xue laughed.

Chi Lingxi covered her face.

Gu Qingya looked away while blushing herself.

Tang Meilin suddenly became extremely interested in the grass.

Lin Yue smiled knowingly.

Rose stood.

Then...

Pointed at Bai Xue.

"You."

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