Chapter Twenty-One: The Rotting Corpse

The sound of the car door unlatching echoed.

Ye Jiahe’s expression darkened instantly.

Fu Luoning pulled back, his eyes brimming with amusement as he looked at her. "Mother, if you’ve made up your mind, you are welcome to find me anytime. If you haven't... there’s no need to make another trip."

The subtext was unmistakable: come only if you are willing to give in; otherwise, don't bother coming at all.

Being so bluntly dismissed made Ye Jiahe bite her lip in anger. Before stepping out of the car, she looked at Fu Luoning and began, "I—"

"Pity I’ll never have the chance to be one; I’m not a Party member, after all," Wu Wanchuan said with a shrug, pulling out his phone to snap a photo of the two footprints.

The bright eyes within her sockets shimmered incessantly, twinkling like crystalline stars in the night sky.

But I had no idea Chen Xiang was hiding behind, secretly watching us. I also hadn't expected my mother to spot my arrival from upstairs, sneak out of her room to find me, and instantly recognize Chen Xiang—all because, during the holidays, I had been caught daydreaming over Chen Xiang’s photograph.

"Brother Zhang, we’ve finished eating. Shall we head up first and see how Brother Feng is doing?" several of the brothers rose from the adjacent table, cupping their hands in a salute as they asked Zhang Yu.

Xu Chaofeng ordered the kitchen to prepare a premium hangover soup and have it delivered to the rooms of Zhang and the other man, before returning to his own quarters, accompanied by his servants.

"What engagement? The one your father arranged for you? Don't lie to me. Dachuan came to me in a dream last night, begging me to help you find a wealthy, decent family so he could rest in peace in the afterlife." Ding Dashan chewed on the greens in his bowl, pausing to speak before continuing his meal.

For a moment, everyone present was unable to see what had transpired at the center of the explosion, nor could they discern the state of Dai Bin.

Still, since someone was willing to deliver themselves to her to be used, she certainly wouldn't let the opportunity pass.

"How absurd," Sayaka Miki scoffed, leaping from the high tower and vanishing into the moonlight in a few flashes.

Zhen Chutian had intended to head straight back to the inn, but she hadn't expected to run into Han Shuangyi and his companions on the way.

"We won't know if it works until it explodes," Hong Haibo said enigmatically, though he was just as uncertain inside.

As night fell and before the moon had risen, Dayong couldn't wait any longer. He lugged two crates out, scrambled over the backyard wall, and bolted toward the large seawater pit to the west, jumping straight in.

Qiao Qiao tried to rise, but the heavy hand Gu Li had placed on her shoulder pressed down once more, pinning her in place.

The lights flickered continuously, confirming that the signal had been transmitted. If they had remained solid red, it would have indicated a reception failure, rendering the device useless.

The sudden appearance of a gaze that felt both familiar and strange left the two of them momentarily reassured, their emotions finally beginning to settle.

As the fifth loop began, Uchiha Fugaku had already manifested his Complete Body Susanoo, and the twin divine swords had taken form.

Nevertheless, both felt a genuine sense of envy—a natural human reaction that, fortunately, did not affect the bond between the three of them.

Seeing Peng Biao’s imposing manner, Yun Xunfei realized the lawless "Tyrant Peng" had returned, and he proceeded to explain the purpose of his visit, hoping to secure his assistance.

The emergence of young geniuses was, naturally, a reflection of the Empire’s future strength; such exchanges served both to gauge the talent of other empires and to showcase the prestige of one’s own.

Now that there was finally a lead, Yang Si had a premonition that if he didn't alert the enemy, continuing the trail might lead him to an even bigger fish.

Yang Xiao was speechless. How could rice balls and milk tea compare to an eighteen-thousand-dollar embroidered handkerchief? Today’s gifts had ultimately totaled 2.3 million. So many people dreaming of becoming streamers—what idle fantasies.

"Is that it? Just give me the list of those classmates, and I'll sign them for you, won't I?" Chen Shaorong said.