Thanks to "Nian╮Na Me Shang" for your support and for coming to my event!
The four of us had a great time, playing until 5:30 before we finally ended the evening.
Afterward, Bai Ziyu knocked on the door and poked her head in, calling Zhou Xingxing to come eat.
"Okay, coming." Zhou Xingxing quickly got up; he had been so engrossed in his phone that he forgot the time. It was already dark outside, which made him feel somewhat apologetic.
Following Bai Ziyu to the dining room, Zhou Xingxing realized that Bai Zicong was not there. "Miss Bai, where’s your brother? Why isn’t he here?"
"Brother has to go to the provincial city with Big Brother Li tomorrow, so he went back to Jincheng," Bai Ziyu said as she pulled out a chair for Zhou Xingxing and then sat down beside him.
"Why didn’t you call me when he was leaving? We could have gone together." Zhou Xingxing felt a bit embarrassed; now it was just him and Bai Ziyu left here, which was somewhat awkward.
"Brother Zhou, didn’t you want to see the scenery of Puji Temple? We couldn’t go today for special reasons, but we’ll have a good look tomorrow," Bai Ziyu said as she tore open a packet of chopsticks for Zhou Xingxing, then added, "Anyway, Big Brother Li is going to the Capital City, and it’s not interesting for you to stay in Jincheng. You might as well stay at Puji Temple."
Zhou Xingxing thanked her and took the chopsticks from Bai Ziyu’s hand, but he could not help but smile wryly to himself.
After all, he was hoping to pursue Qian Ziwei, and if he stayed at the Puji Temple, where would he find the chance?
If Zhou Xingxing knew that Qian Ziwei had already become Li Changlin’s paramour, who knows what he would think.
The two chatted casually and continued eating. Since the restaurant was run by the Puji Temple, all the dishes were vegetarian, leaving little to be choosy about.
Eating the food from Puji Temple’s restaurant inevitably made Zhou Xingxing think of the delicious food made by Qian Ziwei, and he felt even more despondent.
They finished their meal quickly, and as they left the restaurant, Bai Ziyu was about to suggest that they go for a walk together, but suddenly Zhou Xingxing’s expression changed, and he reached out to pull Bai Ziyu behind him.
"What’s wrong, Brother Zhou?" Bai Ziyu was startled by Zhou Xingxing’s sudden move, even wondering if he was going to do something to her.
"Be careful, that person has a murderous aura." Zhou Xingxing said softly and then looked up solemnly toward the opposite side.
There was a man approaching who appeared to be around the same age as Zhou Xingxing.
"You are Zhou Xingxing," the man said in a deep voice, stopping just three to five meters away from Zhou Xingxing.
"Who are you!" Zhou Xingxing frowned slightly, having no recollection of this person in his memory.
His gaze sharpened, and the hairs on his body involuntarily stood on end.
It was an instinctive reaction, a symptom of encountering a formidable opponent.
"I come from the Emergency Response Team; you can call me Orange." The man’s stance was commanding, much like an unsheathed precious sword.
He stared at Zhou Xingxing calmly, with a growing battle intent emanating from him.
"The Emergency Response Team!"
Zhou Xingxing’s eyelids twitched.
The name was certainly not unfamiliar to him.
In fact, Zhou Xingxing’s decision to study abroad three years earlier was largely related to this team.
He never imagined that three years after returning to his homeland, he would be targeted by this organization once more.
Moreover, the aura displayed by the other party clearly indicated that they had ill intentions!
"That’s right, it is the Emergency Response Team, and I think you, Zhou Xingxing, should have heard of it," the person who called himself Orange said with a trace of playful smile on his face.
Of course, Orange could not possibly be his real name; it was merely a codename.
Orange looked at Zhou Xingxing, and Zhou Xingxing also looked back at Orange.
Their gazes collided, and their energies became intertwined as a result.
Instantly, the air was filled with the scent of gunpowder, and a battle seemed like it could break out at any moment.
"Brother Zhou," suddenly, Bai Ziyu, who stood behind Zhou Xingxing, called out softly, her words loaded with endless worry.
She had already discerned that the person before them bore ill will and was also not weak—seemingly from some national organization, and they were after Zhou Xingxing.
"It’s okay!" Zhou Xingxing replied with a calm smile, and then, he shifted his gaze away and no longer locked eyes with Orange.
The reason he averted his gaze was not out of fear.
Truth be told, Zhou Xingxing was not unaccustomed to facing formidable opponents; in fact, during his time abroad, he had even killed an expert in the Late Threshold Stage.
Although Orange was not weak, he was in fact at the same level as Zhou Xingxing—both were only in the Initial Threshold Stage—so naturally, Zhou Xingxing was not intimidated.
"Zhou Xingxing, I am here to invite you back to Capital City this time. I believe after being away from Capital City for three years, you must yearn for it considerably," said Orange, his lips curving up slightly, casting a thoughtful glance at Bai Ziyu.
"My affairs have nothing to do with her, so don’t trouble her!" Zhou Xingxing frowned slightly, stepped forward, and spoke indifferently, "Whatever you want, come at me directly, and I’ll take it all on."
Both men were about one meter eighty in height and both maintained very proportional physiques, but from appearance alone, Zhou Xingxing seemed even more aloof and gentlemanly than Orange.
These two names juxtaposed seemed a bit discordant. However, the temperament of Zhou Xingxing was such, and this was why he caught the attention of Bai Ziyu upon their first meeting.
"Is this your girlfriend?" Orange asked with a hint of surprise, and then he waved his hand, saying, "I’m not interested in your girlfriend. Don’t overthink it. As long as you return to Capital City with me, nothing will happen."
"What if I refuse!" Zhou Xingxing snorted coldly. He would return to Capital City, but not now.
And what was this Orange anyway? Did he think that by simply saying Zhou Xingxing should return, he would have to go back? That was ridiculous!
"Then I’ll have to take you back by force!" Orange chuckled, exuding an unquestionable presence.
The power and unmatched authority of the Emergency Response Team in Xuanyuan Country was such that they could execute first and report afterward, and each of its members was a rebellious and extremely strong fighter.
They were straightforward in their approach; anyone who dared to refuse would be dealt with accordingly.
"Then let’s see if you’re capable of that!" Zhou Xingxing’s expression shifted as he quickly turned his head and shouted, "Miss Bai, please step back quickly."
At this moment, the aura surging from Orange became even more piercing. While Bai Ziyu was somewhat capable, she couldn’t muster the slightest thought of resistance under the pressure of this powerful aura.
She knew Orange was too strong; he was not someone she could confront.
Having no choice, Bai Ziyu could only retreat reluctantly. As she fell back, she called out with worry, "Be careful, Big Brother Zhou."