Chapter Thirty: Night Raid

"Huiyan, Lili!" Nangong Kexin called out worriedly, watching the two figures disappear. Behind her, Nangong Yuchen looked embarrassed; he hadn't expected things to turn out this way. Scratching his head, he called, "...Kexin!"

"Hmph, don't call me!" Nangong Kexin turned around and glared at her brother, her heart boiling with anger. She had meant to help Xia Ruli, but instead, everything had gone wrong.

Furious, she stomped her feet and marched out of the restaurant.

"Kexin, wait for me!" Seeing his sister ignore him and leave alone, Nangong Yuchen hurried after her, calling helplessly from behind.

The two walked in silence. They boarded the automated rail car, and no matter what he said, Nangong Kexin refused to respond. Before they knew it, they had arrived at the D District station.

Getting off, Nangong Kexin quickened her pace, walking ahead. Twenty minutes later, they finally returned to Creek Garden Community.

At this point, Nangong Yuchen caught up, apologizing, "Kexin, I really didn't know Xia Ruli was so fragile, otherwise..."

He hadn’t finished speaking when Nangong Kexin finally reacted. She stopped, turned, and spoke coldly, "Fragile?"

"Uh..." Nangong Yuchen was confused about what she meant and was about to continue when Nangong Kexin’s sudden shout startled him.

"Lili comes from a single-parent family. Her father died when she was very young, so she’s always had to live bravely and strong. If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have been like this tonight!"

"You broke her heart!"

Nangong Yuchen froze in place, momentarily speechless. He hadn’t realized his actions could hurt Xia Ruli, but thinking it over, he understood—those who are strong are often more vulnerable, and Xia Ruli was exactly like that.

After Nangong Kexin calmed down a little, he spoke helplessly, "I don’t like her. What else can I do if I don’t refuse?"

"Then try to cultivate feelings. Lili is a wonderful girl. If you two could be together, I’d be so happy!" Nangong Kexin replied without hesitation. She had already decided on the train: if her brother Nangong Yuchen could be with her best friend Lili, she’d feel at ease. Most importantly, it would help Nangong Yuchen forget Mu Ningxue more quickly!

As for An Qier, she had tried many times before, but ultimately realized An Qier didn’t seem to like Nangong Yuchen. Now that Xia Ruli was here, she felt this would be better.

"Sorry, sis, I can’t do that!" Nangong Yuchen formally addressed his sister for the second time. Asking him to date someone he didn’t like was forcing himself. Although tonight’s trouble started because of him, he didn’t feel he’d done anything wrong. Like is like, dislike is dislike—how could such things be compromised or forced?

Nangong Kexin’s anger, just subsided, flared up again. She shouted furiously, "Nangong Yuchen, I know you still like Mu Ningxue, but I must remind you: you two will never be together in this lifetime. Even if you become a mecha warrior, I will never let her set foot in our home!"

"Kexin! Ningxue is a victim too! Have you forgotten how the three of us..." Nangong Yuchen’s emotions grew agitated. He couldn’t understand why his sister hated Mu Ningxue so much. He truly didn’t understand! Just half a year ago, Kexin and Ningxue were close friends!

"Enough! I said it’s impossible—it’s impossible!" Nangong Kexin’s face flushed with anger, and she turned and strode toward the house.

"Kexin!" Nangong Yuchen rushed after her, grabbing her arm, wanting to explain. Mu Ningxue was a wound in his heart; now that it was reopened, how could he just let it go?

"Enough! I don’t want to see you tonight!" Nangong Kexin shook off his arm, storming into the dimly lit alley.

Nangong Yuchen stood there, eyes reddening. He could obey his sister in everything, but when it came to Mu Ningxue, he simply couldn’t.

He hesitated, wondering whether to force himself to go home or return to his rented apartment, when suddenly his sister’s scream echoed ahead!

"Kexin!"

Nangong Yuchen’s face went pale, and he instantly darted forward, running at over thirty meters per second, rounding the corner toward home.

But he hadn’t run far before he stopped.

Ahead stood Nangong Kexin, unharmed. His tense heart finally relaxed, and he stepped forward to ask, "Kexin, you’re not..."

"...Yu...Yuchen!" Nangong Kexin raised her delicate hand, pointing toward a shadowy corner ahead.

Nangong Yuchen looked where she pointed. When he saw five figures standing not far ahead, his heart clenched.

"Zhou Haoran!"

"Ha! We’ve waited all night, and finally caught you two!" came a grating voice. From beneath the dim streetlamp stepped a youth with short golden hair, followed by four middle-aged men.

Nangong Yuchen immediately strode forward, pulling Kexin behind him, his gaze murderous as he stared at the sinister Zhou Haoran.

After two recent assassination attempts, he had already placed Zhou Haoran at the top of his kill list. Unlike the conflicts among students at Star Academy, this was pure, naked murder intent!

"Haha, you want to kill me?" Zhou Haoran leaned forward, his face twisted with hatred. Over the past month, his life had been a nightmare. After recovering from his injuries, he discovered that his male functions had been ruined—he couldn’t perform in bed. How could a lustful man like him endure such a fate?

Fortunately, fate wasn’t entirely cruel. With his father Zhou Lingtian’s connections and a fortune spent, it took nearly a month to heal him. Yet, there was one thing that made him want to kill Nangong Yuchen on the spot—he could no longer function as before, barely able to perform.

Consumed by resentment, he forgot his father’s warnings and Mu Ningxue’s threats. Tonight, he came in person, bringing men for revenge!

"Uncle Zhang, take care of this brat. I want to torment him thoroughly, and make him watch as I toy with his girlfriend, haha..." Thinking of his own injury, Zhou Haoran trembled all over.

At his command, the man called Uncle Zhang—a thin middle-aged man on the far left—grinned and replied, "Don’t worry, young master. I’ll have him at your feet in no time!"

Uncle Zhang moved then. He leaned forward, and suddenly his body exploded with speed. Nangong Yuchen saw a blur, and a leg swung toward his head.

Nangong Yuchen’s expression changed. He quickly pushed his sister aside, clenched his right fist, and punched at the incoming leg.

"Bang!"

The two collided. Nangong Yuchen stood firm, while Uncle Zhang was forced back several steps; his right leg tingled with numbness—he’d suffered a loss in the exchange.

"Hmph!" Furious, Uncle Zhang snorted heavily and charged again.

Nangong Yuchen dared not be careless. He met him head-on, the two exchanging blows at blinding speed, locked in close combat.

During the fight, Nangong Yuchen realized his opponent was slightly faster, but he had superior strength and reflexes, so he felt no fear.

"Bang! Bang!"

Uncle Zhang braced himself on one hand, kicking fiercely at Nangong Yuchen, pushing him back repeatedly. In just two seconds, Nangong Yuchen retreated five steps, almost reaching Kexin’s side. He suddenly raised his forearms, blocking the kicks, then gripped Uncle Zhang’s ankles with both hands.

With a burst of strength, he lifted Uncle Zhang and spun him three times before hurling him away!

"Bang!"

Uncle Zhang hadn’t expected his young opponent to match his speed and possess such astonishing strength. Caught off guard, he was flung to the ground, landing in a heap.

"Heh, so I underestimated your strength. No wonder Liu Yan and the others who tried to assassinate you haven’t returned—did you kill them all?" Zhou Haoran’s face was dark and menacing. He hadn’t expected Uncle Zhang to be unable to handle a high schooler.

Nangong Yuchen didn’t answer, but kept his gaze fixed on Zhou Haoran. Though he had just defeated Uncle Zhang, three middle-aged men remained, so he dared not relax.

"Liu Yan? Assassination attempts?" Behind him, Nangong Kexin’s pale face trembled. She had never known about any of this.

Just then, Zhou Haoran snarled, "Uncle Zhang, you and Uncle Zhao, go finish off that brat. Uncle Zhou, grab that wretched woman! I want them both to regret ever being born!"

At his command, two middle-aged men and the recovered Uncle Zhang moved to encircle Nangong Yuchen, while the other, Uncle Zhou, strode murderously toward Nangong Kexin.

Hearing Zhou Haoran’s order, Nangong Yuchen shouted desperately, "Kexin, run!"