Chapter 122: Chapter 112: They’re Here

It was nearly one o’clock. Xiao Man had circled the area several times and returned to her spot, so tired she was practically dozing off in her seat. The people she was waiting for still hadn’t arrived.

Zheng Shaolian, however, was sitting calmly. This was entirely thanks to Xiao Man, who had given him a set of *Spring and Autumn Annals* comic books. He was engrossed, telling Xiao Man, "Be patient. It’s a long way from the provincial city to Wancheng. The bus takes six or seven hours. They’re driving a military jeep, and my eldest cousin’s men are all daredevils. They’d even race on these mountain roads, so they should be here in three or four hours."

He hadn’t even finished his sentence when two identical military jeeps appeared in the distance. In the blink of an eye, they reached the large banyan tree and came to a steady halt by the curb.

Xiao Man shot to her feet, snatched the comic book from Zheng Shaolian’s hands, and exclaimed, "Quick! They’re here! They’re here!"

Zheng Shaolian looked up, saw the jeeps, and grew excited as well. He reached out, pulled Xiao Man under his arm, and used her as a crutch to stand. Limping a few steps forward, he called out to the man getting out of the car, "Brother..."

Zheng Shaolian only ever called Gu Shaojun "Brother" so willingly. Gu Shaojun was just two years his senior, whereas Gu Shaofeng, who was only a month younger than Shaojun, was someone Zheng Shaolian would only ever call "Number Two."

This was also why the two of them never saw eye to eye.

Xiao Man was practically hanging off Zheng Shaolian, his arm—clad in a long-sleeved sweater—clamped around her head and blocking her view. She was both speechless and furious. ’This guy is a master faker! After eating all those wild grapes from Feilai Peak and the biscuits that absorbed Spiritual Energy in the space overnight, his foot shouldn’t be hurting much at all. He’s so shameless, trying to act all pitiful to get some sympathy!’

She forcefully yanked his arm away, her eyes fixed on the two handsome men standing before her.

In her past life, Xiao Man had met all of them—the Gu family brothers and their two cousins from the Zheng Family who were raised alongside them. In terms of looks alone, every single one of them was exceptional. The finest among them was the second brother, Gu Shaofeng, who was a career soldier. As for Gu Shaojun, he had been crippled in that war when an enemy rocket struck his bunker. The resulting two scars on the side of his face did nothing to diminish his striking good looks.

The two young men before her were in military uniform, both standing over six feet tall. Their postures were imposing and ramrod-straight, their features as handsome as if they were sculpted. They exuded a noble, solemn air. Their cold, star-like eyes carried an innate authority that made it difficult to meet their gaze. Just by standing there opposite each other, they radiated an immense, unseen pressure.

’They were only twenty, yet they already possessed such a powerful presence!’

This was especially true of Gu Shaofeng. He was like a thousand-year-old, unmelting snow mountain—so icily handsome he resembled a living, breathtaking sculpture. In her past life, Xiao Man couldn’t recall ever seeing even a hint of a smile on his face.

Gu Shaojun was only a month older than his cousin, Gu Shaofeng. As the eldest grandson of the family, he had been raised at Mr. Gu’s side. He was aloof and dignified, calm and reserved, possessing the natural, majestic air of one born to lead. His presence was unlike Gu Shaofeng’s, which was sharp and overt like a drawn sword. In her past life, even when confined to a wheelchair, the full force of his presence was like a mountain bearing down on them. In those moments, even Gu Shaofeng could only bow his head in submission.

And now, he was right before her eyes!

Gu Shaojun, standing tall!

In her past life, his injuries had wasted him away until he was nothing but skin and bones, yet his elegance, composure, and dignified presence never waned. Now, he stood as straight and proud as a pine on a cliff—tall, robust, and devastatingly handsome. His aura was majestic, his features refined and noble—a beauty so stunning it took her breath away.

That familiar pair of peach-blossom eyes seemed to speak. A single glance from them was enough to have Xiao Man wrapped around his finger. When he was relaxed and chatting, they held a hint of a smile, warm as the spring sun. When he was deep in thought, they were dark and profound, rippling like the deep ocean. And if he grew angry, his eyes would become a world of thunder and lightning, brimming with killing intent!

’Just his eyes alone are something I could never tire of seeing. That must be why I refused to leave his side in my past life, no matter what, right? Even when I risked being discovered by the Tang Family. But Gu Shaojun protected me. Even after he was gone, he made sure my world remained quiet and undisturbed!’

’The lawyer was Tang Haocheng’s closest friend, as well as Gu Shaojun’s cousin—the fourth brother of the Gu family. A single sentence from Gu Shaojun before he died was all it took for the lawyer to shoulder the responsibility of protecting me. He never let the Tang Family harass me in the slightest. He didn’t even tell me directly about Tang Haocheng’s death, instead letting me overhear it from others!’

Now, reborn and facing Gu Shaojun again, seeing him so tall and dashing, so healthy, handsome, and noble he looked like a god, Xiao Man was overwhelmed by a storm of sorrow and joy. She couldn’t control herself as tears streamed down her face.

No one noticed her. Zheng Shaolian was not short himself—nearly six feet tall—and with her pinned beneath his arm, she was completely hidden from view.

After getting out of the jeep, Gu Shaojun and Gu Shaofeng naturally focused their attention on their cousin.

"Shaolian, how is it? Is the leg injury serious? Should we take you to the hospital to get it checked out first?" At twenty years old, Gu Shaojun’s voice was clear and melodious, not yet possessing the deep restraint it would have in the future. But the incredibly familiar tone was enough to make Xiao Man’s heart pound like a drum.

"No need to waste time. I’ll check it," Gu Shaofeng said, his voice cold as ice.

Zheng Shaolian froze and roared, "No! Don’t you touch me! You butcher! Are you trying to murder me? Is that what it’ll take for you to stop?"

Gu Shaofeng snorted. "As if you’re worth murdering."

"Then why did you dump me in this filthy, poor, godforsaken mountain range? It’s full of damn hicks from the countryside! I can’t understand a single word of whatever the hell dialect they’re speaking all day. I wouldn’t even know if they were cursing me! You did it on purpose! You absolutely did it on purpose! I’m gonna have Grandpa and Grandma punish you! I’ll have them whip you to death, you bastard! Brother! Eldest Brother! You have to save me! Take me back with you!"

Gu Shaofeng sneered, not deigning to respond to him. He turned to Gu Shaojun. "See, Eldest Brother? I wasn’t exaggerating, was I? He’s perfectly fine, nothing like what he claimed! He’s in the army now, not some pampered young master anymore! He has to follow the rules. Don’t interfere. Let’s head back."

"No! Eldest Brother, don’t go! Eldest Brother, please have pity on me! Take me with you!"

’Zheng Shaolian, you...’ Xiao Man felt like she was dying of secondhand embarrassment.

Three more people got out of the second jeep, and Xiao Man recognized them all. The two in front were in uniform: one was Gu Shaojun’s comrade-in-arms and partner, the foxy, handsome Wei Zhenqing, who always wore a smile as gentle as a spring breeze. The other was Gu Shaofeng’s friend, Zhang Qingwan, who served in the air force.

The last to emerge was a young man in a long trench coat. In her past life, Xiao Man had only seen him twice, though his name was a regular feature in newspapers and magazines. He was a permanent fixture on the billionaire lists: Gu Shaojun’s biological younger brother, Gu Shaozhen.

Gu Shaozhen also had a cold-looking face, but that was a complete facade. When he smiled, his aura was so similar to Wei Zhenqing’s that someone had once mistaken him for Wei Zhenqing’s younger brother.

Gu Shaozhen walked right up and thumped Zheng Shaolian on the shoulder, roaring with laughter. "So you have days like this too, kid! If you wanted to go home, you should’ve just said so. What’s with all these theatrics? You’re a total disgrace!"

Zheng Shaolian aimed a kick at him. "Get lost! I don’t know you! Don’t think I don’t know you had a hand in shoving me into that vehicle!"

"Hahaha! No way, you’re totally mistaken. I’m a man of outstanding character, brother. How could I do something to make you this miserable!"

Gu Shaozhen had barely finished his sentence when Gu Shaofeng grabbed him and yanked him aside. "Do you want me to send you here to keep him company?"

"Don’t do that! Second Brother, please, you carry on. I... I won’t get in your way!"

Watching Gu Shaozhen shrink behind Wei Zhenqing, Xiao Man, her tears not yet dry, couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. ’This guy isn’t even afraid of Gu Shaofeng, and the only one he doesn’t dare approach is Gu Shaojun. Yet he’s incredibly clingy with Shaojun’s best friend, Wei Zhenqing.’

Xiao Man didn’t realize that as she watched Gu Shaozhen, Gu Shaojun was walking toward her. He reached out and gently pulled her free from Zheng Shaolian’s grasp.

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