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The chirping of birds echoed from the trees, accompanied by the distant sound of a tractor. Xiao Mu, who had been sleeping on a broken table, was jolted awake. He sat up abruptly, feeling pain all over his body. Instinctively, he dashed out of the Courtyard. As he focused his eyes, he realized he was in an abandoned construction supervision unit. It had seemed terrifying when he was locked inside, but in the daylight, it appeared to be a laboratory with bottles and jars scattered about, along with the broken table and stools still intact. The place that had felt like a prison was actually an old storage warehouse, likely not completely abandoned and borrowed by those people.
By now, dawn was breaking, and the air around him carried a hint of moisture. Being in such a desolate area made him feel uneasy. He rushed out of the Courtyard and called out for Baldy, but instead heard a whistle. Smoke curled up from behind some nearby bushes. He hurried over and caught a whiff of something delicious—grains cooking over a small fire.
Ignoring the heat, he grabbed one of the corn cobs and took a bite. The sweet flavor ignited his appetite; he had never tasted anything so delightful before. He devoured the tender yellow corn, quickly finishing one cob before reaching for another when he noticed Baldy watching him with a sickly expression. This reminded him of the injuries he had sustained last night.
"It's fine, I can handle it... Just eat; there's more here," Zhang Quan said with a smile as he handed over another corn cob, likely stolen from a nearby field. Xiao Mu broke it in half, and they began to eat together. Occasionally glancing at Baldy, who seemed to understand his thoughts, he said, "They left traps in the yard; the 3g Signal is connected to cameras. It should work for at least ten hours... On the way to Tongguan, there might still be their people around. If we call for backup now, we’ll fall right into their trap."
"What kind of people are these? They're more cunning than spies," Xiao Mu replied, feeling increasingly powerless.
"The police have Skynet to identify good and bad people; they have their own methods too. When information isn't equal, there are a thousand different ways to identify someone," Zhang Quan explained. Those who walk on dark paths have their unique ways of recognizing strangers; their vigilance is far sharper than a police officer's intuition.
After a long silence, Zhang Quan asked, "Are you scared?"
"How can I not be scared? Let me tell you—I’m done with this! We should just go our separate ways," Xiao Mu retorted angrily. Having lived without worries before this ordeal, he felt that what he had endured was truly brutal; every part of him hurt. He seriously doubted whether he could stand again after taking a beating like Baldy did.
Baldy remained silent, extending his hand. Understanding that he wanted the phone, Xiao Mu pulled it out and tossed it to him, saying, "That was terrifying... Don’t try to persuade me; I’m not doing this anymore! I’m dead set against it! What do I gain from this? I was living well enough enjoying life without becoming this Traitor. If those idiots hadn’t been so incompetent, I would have ended up unable to take care of myself."
Thinking back on it sent chills down his spine; it truly seemed like he was resolute in his decision.
"The phone definitely can't be used; I'm sorry about that. You’ll have to find your own way into the city," Zhang Quan said.
"Stop looking so pitiful; let’s just go our separate ways," Xiao Mu replied.
Without hesitation, Zhang Quan pulled out what little money he had left and handed it to Xiao Mu, looking at him apologetically. Xiao Mu stared in disbelief and asked, "What does this mean?"
"Just go," Zhang Quan said.
"I'm really leaving," Xiao Mu said as he pretended to walk away.
"Let's go. This gang is beyond my imagination, and I'm really afraid something might happen to you... Come on, I've explained things at home; just say you ran away halfway. They can't do anything to you anyway," Zhang Quan said gloomily.
Xiao Mu threw down the corn stick with a thud, angered. "Stop with the sarcastic remarks. I'm really leaving... Look at you, getting beaten like that and not saying a word, and you still want to call the police."
"What does it matter if I take down a few thugs? You have no right to judge what I should do," Zhang Quan said, not even lifting his eyelids. When he saw Xiao Mu's hesitant expression, he suddenly shouted fiercely, "Get lost! Don't let me see you again."
Xiao Mu was so frightened that he turned and ran far away, eventually crouching behind a cornfield, gasping for breath. He was determined to leave this place of trouble, to escape the danger, and return to the safety and comfort of Binhai, vowing never to see this group of losers again.
After thinking for a long time, he slumped down, seemingly unable to convince himself to give up halfway. He couldn't just forget about Baldy, who had been so viciously beaten; he couldn't swallow this anger. As he thought about it, he rubbed the still-painful spots on his body. That sense of frustration couldn't be erased by running away.
In his hand were a few dirty bills, the only money they had left. He felt a bit ashamed for having taken them without hesitation.
"Hey, why haven't you left yet?"
Zhang Quan approached and stood not far in front of him. Xiao Mu got up in anger and retorted, "What’s it to you? I don't want to leave anymore. Just because you tell me to go doesn't mean I will."
"Yeah, getting played by some women and beaten up like that—it's hard to swallow," Zhang Quan scoffed at him.
"It seems someone got hit pretty hard too," Xiao Mu replied sarcastically.
"This is one of the lighter beatings I've taken... Eat up; you'll need your strength for the road ahead." Zhang Quan handed him another corn cob. Xiao Mu took it without hesitation and naturally followed behind him. Though his back was bloody, his spine remained straight, and his steps were still steady. That kind of bravery made Xiao Mu involuntarily admire him.
However, he didn't hold back his words. While eating, he said, "Baldy, don’t force yourself; you've been beaten like livestock."
"I'm fine; I can take it. Once I get through this, I'm just worried they won't be able to handle it," Zhang Quan said fiercely. Xiao Mu casually asked, "Hey, why do they treat you so harshly when you usually don't say a word?"
"They're testing where I come from. I'm an escapee; staying silent while taking hits is my style. That's how they identify strangers—if you can't take a beating and reveal your true self after three sentences, whether you're good or bad doesn't matter; they won't spare you," Zhang Quan explained.
"That doesn't make sense; you've endured it all—why weren't you selected?" Xiao Mu asked.
"Not so fast. Usually, when a gang takes you in, they strip you of everything first, then give you a little benefit. By that time, you'll be completely devoted to them... Oh right, isn't that some kind of psychological effect?" Zhang Quan asked casually.
"The carrot and stick effect," Xiao Mu replied offhandedly. "That's how you deal with livestock."
"This group is already livestock. Do you think any of them still resemble humans?" Zhang Quan questioned. He paused, looking at Xiao Mu, and suddenly asked, "That Yang Beauty has quite a status and is beautiful too. You’re not holding onto her for that reason, are you?"
Stung by the remark, Xiao Mu shot back angrily, "So what if I am? I can do whatever I want; who are you to control me?"
The gentlemanly demeanor of this guy was gradually taking on a rogue air. Watching Xiao Mu storm off in anger, Zhang Quan chuckled softly. He found himself liking this young man; anyone who had been through things without being scared would only grow bolder.
The two continued to exchange barbs as they walked along the county road. After quite a distance, they finally encountered a tricycle, spending a hundred yuan to get dropped off at a bus stop. They waited until the designated time and finally saw a bus wobbling toward them.
Route sign: Zhi Yang to Tongguan.
...
...
After returning the rented vehicle and getting another one, it was still Big Head and Big Mouth driving. They dropped Yang Menglu off at an office building on Xiyuan Road in Tongguan City and, as usual, began their patient wait.
With two fewer people, it felt lonelier, and oddly enough, they seemed to miss them a bit. Big Mouth watched the light-footed Yang Beauty head upstairs and casually asked about something else: "Hey, Big Head, do you think those two will come back?"
"How would I know? That’s up to the Boss here," Big Head replied nonchalantly while chewing on a cigarette. In the world of gangsters, encounters were fleeting; knowing someone or missing them was all part of fate. He lazily added, "Actually, that kid isn’t bad. He’s given me quite a bit for cigarettes these past few days. If he were with Boss He, he might even become a General Manager."
"Yeah, I think so too. He's quite cultured; his silver tongue can earn money faster than swiping a card. Why would he end up tossed aside like that? What if he runs off in anger? That would be such a waste!" Big Mouth said, even he recognized the potential of cultured people as con artists.
"I don't understand either. But... it seems like the Boss here doesn't value him much; Yang Beauty wouldn’t just let him go like that, right?" Big Head remarked. His words carried a hint of bitterness that irritated Big Mouth. Thinking about Xiao Mu's closeness with Yang Beauty made him angry; he muttered resentfully, "Damn it! Getting played like fools—no doubt about it! We need to be careful from now on."
Big Head suddenly burst into laughter, shaking with mirth.
Having reached the fourth floor, Yang Menglu was unaware of the whispers behind her back. Her purpose for being here was precisely that; she felt a sense of crisis from Tu Shenhao's handling of things, and it seemed she was genuinely conflicted. As she raised her hand, it hesitated momentarily. In principle, the title of an external lecturer sounded pleasant, but in reality, it was merely a guise for a con artist, a role meant to deceive and exploit, with no need to interfere with the main characters' plans.
Yet, she still came. One scene had haunted her like a dream throughout the night: at Zhi Yang, when Criminal pretended to pull her down and she fell to the ground, Xiao Mu rushed out to help her up and shielded her in front. That detail had a profound impact on her; perhaps it was the first time in a long while that she felt cared for, and seeing it suddenly stirred a mix of emotions within her.
Knock… knock… Reflecting on this, she finally knocked on the door.
The door opened, and Tu Shenhao welcomed her into his office with a smile. The aura of Boss Tu was unmistakable; his imposing figure combined with his beard gave him the appearance of a handsome warrior from a thousand years ago. He invited Yang Menglu to sit down and poured her a glass of water. As he settled back into his office chair, he spoke directly to Yang Menglu's concerns.
To her surprise, Tu Shenhao praised Xiao Mu's performance enthusiastically. Holding up his phone, he said, "Not bad—image, temperament, content—all there. Old Lu back in the day might not have reached this level... This segment is especially good; it uses music from the Lightning Brigade in action, paired with sensory stimulation in the dialogue. The effect is much more pronounced than mere boasting."
It was during the Fuxian segment that this kid had quickly surpassed expectations. Yang Menglu smiled and replied, "I still think he's a bit too inexperienced. Tu Zong should let them go; regardless of his reasons, I believe it's the right choice after all. He is still a newcomer with many uncertainties."
She spoke with a contradictory mindset as if she hoped for Xiao Mu to be sidelined despite knowing he could handle the role.
Tu Shenhao, being an astute individual, sensed the conflict in Yang Menglu's words. He squinted at her and slowly smiled, teasingly saying, "Oh, Miss Yang, have you developed some compassion?"
"Maybe a little; after all, he's still young. I almost feel reluctant to ruin him," Yang Menglu admitted.
Tu Zong scoffed dismissively and rolled his eyes before putting down his phone and saying seriously, "The greater good must come first. Good people can be ruined by their sudden malicious thoughts while bad people may only be destroyed when their conscience awakens."
So then, conscience is something you can never afford to have; it harms both others and oneself.
"What do you plan to do about it?" Yang Menglu asked, uninterested in his lengthy discourse but eager to know what mattered most to her.
Tu Shenhao tossed his phone over to her. As she scrolled through it, she found photos captured by surveillance cameras in that courtyard and images sent back by his subordinates via instant messaging. They had taken the bus together around eight o'clock; by now they should have arrived at Tongguan. For Tu Shenhao, this served as a safe test—the results were unsurprising.
"There shouldn't be any issues with them. Lu the Madman has been in this business for twenty years; he has some discernment. I can't imagine he could find talent even in a mental hospital," Yang Menglu remarked with a chuckle as she set the phone down.
On this point, Tu Shenhao seemed to agree; if there were problems, they would have surfaced long ago. His doubts did not lie with Xiao Mu but rather with another individual. He said thoughtfully, "Lin seems fine; being able to brainwash oneself to that extent is not something just anyone can achieve... I feel something is off about the other one, but I can't quite put my finger on what it is."
" Zhang Quan?" Yang Menglu's eyes were filled with confusion. All along, she had been an overlooked character, always appearing reserved and methodical, the type of person whose actions spoke louder than words. She shook her head and said, "No, you've already tried... Not only you, but He Yuguo has tried several times as well."
"Yeah, don't you think that having no problems at all is also a problem?" Tu Shenhao replied.
Yang Menglu paused for a moment, taken aback. It seemed to make a lot of sense. The men she encountered always had some vices—drinking, gambling, or worse—rarely were there exceptions. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t noticed anything amiss with Zhang Quan. He was serious, reserved, and organized; he was nothing like Big Mouth with his endless chatter or Xiao Mu with his lewdness. The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.
In the end, she smiled and said, "You've made me suspicious; maybe he really is just a reserved person."
"Maybe I misjudged him. But even if I did misjudge him, we can't afford any mistakes... It will take a few days to gather everyone. They are already here, so we should plan carefully... However, in my opinion, something that comes so easily isn't necessarily valuable... Let's wait and see. Come on, today I'll take you to try some local delicacies."
Tu Shenhao gestured for her to follow him. Yang Menglu stood up; she could tell that Tu Shenhao still had doubts about involving the two of them. For some reason, this outcome didn’t leave her feeling disappointed.
She had always gone with the flow when meeting people and followed her heart when dealing with matters. Never before had she felt so conflicted as she did today. Could it be that her conscience was awakening?
Absolutely not; otherwise, why would I be scheming like this?
Yang Menglu thought to herself as she smiled and linked her arm with Tu Shenhao's. The two of them descended the stairs together, looking like a deeply affectionate couple...
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