"Wu... Wu? Who’s that?"
Aunt was a bit taken aback. Her last name was Yao, her husband and child’s last name was Chen. Where did this ’Wu’ come from?
Wait a minute! Don’t tell me it’s...
"Of course, it’s Wu Liang! Coming over at this time, isn’t it bothering him from sleeping?"
Lei Zhangming forced a smile out of his fleshy face, which looked more like a grimace, still giving off a sinister vibe.
At this moment, Aunt’s brain was still in a state of shutdown. She couldn’t imagine how that little troublemaker she had despised since childhood, whom she always scolded, got acquainted with an Awakened like Lei Zhangming.
And, it seems the other party is even acting quite amicably?
Seeing Aunt seemed to be dumbstruck, Lei Zhangming lifted his leg intending to step into the house directly.
But unexpectedly, a lazy voice came from inside: "Of course, it’s bothering! It’s freakin’ seven thirty! Don’t you guys have work?"
Looking in the direction of the voice, a young man yawning came out from the room.
He first glanced at the black bag in Wang Dawei’s hand, roughly judging what was inside by its shape, and then looked at the other person.
The two who followed him yesterday, so one of them was Awakened Lei Zhangming!
After all, it was always Wang Dawei coming to collect the protection money before, and Wu Liang had never seen Lei Zhangming’s face. Today, it was his official "introduction."
"Haha, Wu, let’s not beat around the bush. I hope to meet the person behind you. Let’s let those past misunderstandings go. This money has been safeguarded for you all along, and now it’s being returned to its rightful owner."
He made a gesture, and Wang Dawei understood immediately, carrying the black bag to the table in the living room.
Opening it, the sight of the pile of red banknotes was indeed heart-pounding.
Even Aunt beside was dumbfounded. Although she didn’t quite understand what Lei Zhangming was saying, it seemed he intended to give the money to her family?!
"Hey, change your shoes before entering the house... never mind, since I won’t be the one cleaning this place after today, it doesn’t matter." Wu Liang ignored their request, just sitting on the sofa and casually spouting complaints.
Seeing that he didn’t seem to intend to refuse, Lei Zhangming also sat down opposite him on the sofa.
Standing aside, Wang Dawei wisely said: "Over the past two years, we’ve collected 70,000 from you; here’s 100,000 including interest. Please accept it."
Hearing this, Aunt’s eyes almost sparkled. She really never expected the protection money they paid would ever come back.
She hurriedly signaled Wu Liang with her eyes to accept the money, but to her surprise, the brat who always seemed worthless didn’t even glance at her directly.
Wu Liang merely stared at the money and Lei Zhangming’s fleshy face, finally saying slowly: "You’re not going to see him today."
"Because I have to go to work now, or I won’t make it in time for attendance."
Upon hearing this, everyone was astonished.
Not only Aunt couldn’t figure out what was going on in his mind, but even Lei Zhangming wondered if the boy was mocking him.
Did he really have to say something so out of place at such a time? Find the newest release on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
And seeing him stand up, acting as if he was really getting ready to leave, heading to the washroom to freshen up.
"Lei, the kid’s young and speaks without thinking, but about the money..." Aunt noticed their dissatisfied faces and quickly interjected.
"Is it your place to speak?" Wang Dawei quickly scolded Aunt’s interruption.
Maybe others didn’t know, but he did!
Wu Liang suffered greatly in this household, and they never treated him like a person. Now that Boss Lei valued him so much, how could they allow this woman to interrupt?
Under this scolding, Aunt dared not speak anymore, only sending a pleading look towards Wu Liang, who was washing up.
The entire living room fell silent.
A few minutes later, Wu Liang returned after freshening up, looking confused and asking, "Why are you guys still here?"
"Haha, Wu, you’re joking. Without meeting the person behind you in person, we feel restless!" Lei Zhangming said with a grin.
But inside, he was cursing up a storm.
If not for realizing last night that the other could maintain Awakened abilities for two hours, and not knowing what effect the dense fog might have, he was so worried he couldn’t sleep all night, prompting such an early visit.
"He’s busy today. Come again tomorrow afternoon."
Hearing this, Lei Zhangming’s eyes gleamed, and he quickly responded, "Great, no problem."
This was essentially Wu Liang indirectly acknowledging that there was indeed a powerful Awakened behind him, and giving a definite meeting time, allowing Lei Zhangming to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Since you’re heading out, we won’t disturb you any longer. We’ll take our leave..."
Before finishing his sentence, there came a series of knocks at the door.
Aunt’s expression became increasingly uneasy. With Lei Zhangming sitting in her house, what clueless visitor dared to come over!
She hurried to the door, intending to send whoever it was away.
But upon opening the door, she was dumbfounded once again.
Standing outside was a middle-aged man in a white outfit with a stern face, followed by two men in black uniforms.
"Ah! Captain He! You’ve come too? Is there news about our Xiao Wang’s situation?"
She hadn’t expected He Zhan to be the one visiting!
"I’m here to see Wu Liang, there’s a supernatural incident I need him to provide some information on."
Even more unexpectedly, he was here to find Wu Liang again!
Bypassing Aunt, He Zhan didn’t bother with formalities this time, directly entering the living room and locking eyes on Wu Liang, who was packing a small backpack.
He also noticed Lei Zhangming sitting awkwardly on the sofa, and couldn’t help but frown.
What’s that guy doing here?
"Brother He, what a coincidence! Do you have important matters to discuss? I’ll leave immediately!" Lei Zhangming said, rising to head out the door.
He didn’t need to guess; He Zhan certainly, like him, was interested in the Awakened behind Wu Liang.
But their circumstances were different; one an official Awakened, the other from a civilian gang.
Moreover, it seemed that they hadn’t reached an agreement last time. After He Zhan left Wu Liang’s house, he discreetly followed to probe for information, confirming the existence of the mysterious Awakened.
Lei Zhangming knew he was on thin ice and didn’t want to clash with an official Awakened like He Zhan here.
"Wu Liang, why did you go to the crematorium yesterday?" Although He Zhan was curious why Lei Zhangming was here, the more pressing matter was last night’s supernatural incident!
After working all night, they’d narrowed down all the clothes-burning old people to one common denominator—their whereabouts.
All had visited the crematorium in the past two days, likely to mourn deceased friends or relatives.
And while investigating the surveillance around the crematorium, He Zhan discovered that the cameras on that street had conveniently malfunctioned yesterday afternoon, leaving only the internal crematorium footage.
And there, Wu Liang’s figure, carrying equipment for an interview, was captured clearly on screen.
Thus, early this morning, with pent-up frustration, He Zhan again visited the neighborhood looking for Wu Liang.
But who would have thought this rascal would respond to the inquiry with another question, revealing a shocking matter—
"Huh? How do you know I went to the crematorium? Lei Zhangming, didn’t you arrange for someone to cut off all surveillance on that street?"
Wu Liang’s tone was full of confusion, blinking his eyes with an innocent look.
And at the door, Lei Zhangming’s expression was turning murderous.
Though unaware why He Zhan was asking about the crematorium, Wu Liang’s one sentence dragged him into the mess too!
This guy was really troublemaker extraordinaire!