Chapter Ninety-Nine: Seeking Him Out

I coughed a few times, clutching my injured chest.

Wang Yue snapped back to his senses and turned toward me. “Luo, are you alright? Quick, call an ambulance!”

He swiftly pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed 120. I watched his series of actions in silence.

Only after he finished the call did I say, “Did you remember?”

He didn’t answer, instead changing the subject. “The ambulance will be here soon. Hang in there.”

I looked at him and asked nothing more.

The ambulance arrived quickly. I got in, but Wang Yue didn’t follow. He looked at me, suddenly flashed a smile, and waved.

The ambulance doors closed and drove off into the distance.

He had remembered. His not coming with me meant he intended to leave.

It was a pity I hadn’t completed the task Old Ma had given me; I never asked about his background.

This time my injuries were far worse than before. I stayed in the hospital for many days. Wen Zai and the girls came to visit, just like last time. But I never saw Wang Yue’s shadow again.

I called Ren Qiyun and learned that the old woman had already left—on the very next day after the paper figure attacked me. She must have realized her plot had failed and, fearing I would go to Old Ma for revenge, made her escape.

That damned old hag, I’ll remember this grudge. If I ever run into her again, I won’t let her off so easily!

After being discharged and returning home, I found a slip of paper wedged under the door. It read: “Thank you for looking after me all this time. If Old Ma asks, just say I have a grudge against that Xi woman.”

Xi woman? Wasn’t she the one who took Old Ding’s son? This guy really isn’t ordinary.

After more than half a month of recuperation, my wounds finally healed. Having suffered twice, I’d grown much thinner, but another half a month of good food restored my health.

In the blink of an eye, the year ended and a new one began. Old Ma hadn’t contacted me at all. I almost thought he’d forgotten me, but knowing how deeply that old man holds grudges, there’s no way he’d forget.

I continued working odd jobs at the café, chatting with customers and making regulars feel welcome. Life was leisurely and comfortable. I enjoyed it. It might sound unambitious, but I hoped to live like this forever. I had no great aspirations—just wanted a peaceful, steady life.

"Assistant Manager, someone’s here to see you!" An Zhen Nan called out.

I was chatting with a few girls and turned my head, nearly coughing up blood in shock. What the—! How could it be these two? How did they find me here!

“Mr. Wang,” Su Feiyong said respectfully. Beside him, Xu Guangyi was equally proper and deferential, just as they were when seeking out Old Ma.

I felt awkward. “What do you want with me?”

“The Second Master asks that you come with us,” Su Feiyong replied.

I was dumbfounded, recalling that man’s reckless actions and shivering inwardly. “You must have the wrong person.”

“No mistake. The Second Master originally sought Old Ma, but he’s unwell and sent us to you instead. The Second Master agreed,” Su Feiyong explained respectfully.

I was stunned. Damn it! That old man hadn’t forgotten me after all! Last time, he’d dodged responsibility by passing it to Xiao Qingwan’s brother, but this time, he acted immediately! As long as the Second Master could find someone to torment, he wouldn’t stop—even if he nearly killed me last time!

“The Second Master said the payment is negotiable—any price,” Su Feiyong added.

Here we go again. Money doesn’t tempt me; I’m not short of cash now, and in my eyes, life is worth more than money!

The female customers and An Zhen Nan stared at me in amazement, never expecting an ordinary assistant manager like me to have such a mysterious background.

I gestured for them to talk elsewhere, lest An Zhen Nan and the others let their imaginations run wild.

Outside the café, in a quiet corner, I said, “You really have the wrong person. I can’t help the Second Master, nor am I capable. Even if I go, I’ll only slow you down or make things worse.”

“We’re only following the Second Master’s orders. Also, Old Ma asked us to give you this note. He said once you read it, you’ll definitely help,” Su Feiyong said, pulling a crumpled note from his pocket.

Ha! I’d definitely help after reading it? Now I was curious what it could say to be so confident.

I took the note. The thing was wrinkled, torn from a newspaper, the writing crooked and ugly. It read: “Only by training more can you progress. Otherwise, in a year, be prepared to die.”

Damn it!

I went home, quickly packed a few things, and called Wen Zai to let him know I’d be away for a few days. Then I left with Su Feiyong and the others.

With that one-year deadline hanging over my head, I had no choice but to play along as someone else’s pawn. That old man knows exactly what I’m worth. I could only hope there’d be others on this job—knowing the Second Master’s style, it couldn’t just be me.

Just in case, I asked, “How many people did the Second Master invite this time?”

“Besides you, one other,” Su Feiyong replied.

One?! Why so few this time? Is this other person some rare talent or a legendary master? Please don’t let him be as useless as me!

I asked, “What’s the job this time?”

“You’ll be told when you arrive.” As usual, they kept their lips sealed.

I knew they wouldn’t say more, so I stopped asking.

I let them handle everything on the way. We left Guangdong and reached a city in Guangxi, where they dropped me off at a hotel to rest. The Second Master and the other person would come tomorrow.

I didn’t ask further, just focused on sleeping and eating well. I was starting to feel a bit like Old Ma—since there was no escaping this, I might as well enjoy myself while I could.

Early the next morning, I saw the Second Master. He was the same as ever—an unfriendly face, sunglasses on. What shocked me was the man beside him: tall, in a long trench coat, strikingly handsome—the very ‘big oaf’ I’d met in the vine forest… no, a master!

Why was he here? Where did the Second Master dig him up?

He looked surprised too, pointing at me. “It’s you.”

He really should have stayed silent—once he spoke, his image dropped several notches. That gesture just exposed his lack of brains.

“What’s he doing here?” I asked Su Feiyong.

“The Second Master asked us to find him. His name is Tu E,” Su Feiyong answered.

Tu… E? What an unusual name. To think someone’s actually called ‘Goose.’ Strangely, it matched his appearance perfectly.