Chapter 88 – I'm a Person Who Really Fears Death

In the eyes of those with ulterior motives, the incident where Xu Qianqian sought out Su Ming was actually quite intriguing.

After all, prior to that, Xu Qianqian, the aloof Academy Beauty goddess, had no interaction whatsoever with Su Ming. Yet afterward, they naturally came together, making it hard to believe there wasn’t some special reason behind it.

Others might think Su Ming and Xu Qianqian simply had some private connection unknown to others, but to a major power like the Xu Family, it definitely wasn’t just a simple private relationship.

With their influence and intelligence network, if Su Ming and Xu Qianqian merely had some private connection, how could they fail to investigate it?

Unless it was some unusual interaction that Su Ming and Xu Qianqian deliberately concealed – otherwise, the Xu Family would certainly have been able to investigate the matter between them.

And since it was something that could be deliberately hidden, what exactly was it? Anyone with ulterior motives would surely want to know.

In short, the interaction between Su Ming and Xu Qianqian couldn’t withstand scrutiny in the eyes of those with ulterior motives.

Even without knowing the specific details, it was certain that Su Ming and Xu Qianqian were hiding something.

For Xu Yanyan, who wanted to deal with Xu Qianqian, this was absolutely something she wanted to figure out.

Under Xu Yanyan’s playful yet scrutinizing gaze, Su Ming secretly sighed in his heart.

(It’s all that female vampire’s fault. Couldn’t she have met me privately instead of openly coming to find me at the Male Dormitory? Wasn’t she obviously trying to create big news?)

Though Su Ming complained like this, he knew Xu Qianqian hadn’t done it intentionally.

That Young Miss probably had no energy to spare, urgently needing to find someone to help, so she couldn’t afford to care about such things.

Despite appearing quite composed at that time, she had nearly been fatally ambushed. With such terrifying people watching her from the shadows, and having to complete the mission assigned by the Base City higher-ups, if she didn’t find a way to break the deadlock, she might truly have been killed during the investigation mission.

Moreover, she had been paying attention to Su Ming for a long time. In her view, suddenly seeking him out wasn’t abrupt but something she had considered for a long time, which was why she directly approached him.

As for what others thought, how they felt, or how much news this would create – would Xu Qianqian, given her personality, care?

No, she wouldn’t.

Therefore, Xu Qianqian directly went to block his door at the Male Dormitory, perhaps also driven by her long-standing curiosity about Su Ming.

Unfortunately, this ultimately aroused suspicion among those with ulterior motives, and Xu Yanyan was just one of them.

Of course, this particular one had ulterior motives.

“You know?” Xu Yanyan said with a light laugh, as if wanting to tease Su Ming, “The reason we came to this Defense Line was actually because of you.”

“Me?” Su Ming raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right.” Xu Yanyan extended a slender finger, tracing it along Su Ming’s cheek while smiling. “Because it seems my little sister cares quite a bit about you. Don’t you think if we could control you, she might not be as disobedient as before?”

This malicious statement sent a chill through Su Ming’s heart.So, this is what these guys are scheming?

For them, it didn’t matter much which defense line they chose to guard.

As long as they could take the opportunity to target Xu Qianqian, it didn’t matter which defense line they set up on.

In that case, choosing a defense line that could exert greater restraint on Xu Qianqian and amplify her influence naturally became the top priority in Xu Yanyan and the others’ minds.

Then, Su Ming was targeted.

If Xu Qianqian’s arrival at this defense line was entirely due to the meddling of these Xu Family members, then Su Ming was one of the tools they used to meddle.

(Seriously…)

Su Ming finally gained a thorough understanding of the methods employed by these so-called great Families.

Although he had never held high expectations for the moral limits of such Families, he had never personally experienced it before.

Now, he had finally experienced it firsthand.

However, if they thought this would make Su Ming afraid, it wasn’t enough.

Xu Yanyan’s seemingly playful and mocking remarks were, in fact, aimed at breaking down Su Ming’s psychological defenses.

Su Ming’s thoughts raced in his mind, and then he suddenly laughed.

“Then Senior might be disappointed,” Su Ming said.

“Why do you say that?” Xu Yanyan narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Because it’s unrealistic,” Su Ming shrugged and said, “I do have some interactions with the Academy Beauty, but whether I can have a significant impact on her is uncertain.”

“I don’t think so,” Xu Yanyan naturally wouldn’t be swayed by Su Ming’s words. Instead, she hinted meaningfully, “If it were someone she didn’t care about, why would she draw her Saber against me?”

Xu Yanyan hadn’t forgotten how strongly Xu Qianqian had reacted in the venue when she had merely mentioned Su Ming.

It was that reaction that made Xu Yanyan eager to approach Su Ming.

Based on her understanding of Xu Qianqian, Su Ming was undoubtedly special to her.

Unfortunately…

“She’s drawn her Saber against me too,” Su Ming looked at Xu Yanyan, also hinting meaningfully, “And it seems you’ve also targeted her father. I don’t think my influence on her is greater than her father’s, do you?”

Xu Yanyan understood the implication of Su Ming’s words.

Simply put, Su Ming was trying to say that since Xu Yanyan and the others had already targeted someone more important, targeting him would have limited impact on Xu Qianqian.

Could Xu Qianqian possibly disregard her father’s safety and only care about Su Ming’s?

Su Ming wasn’t sure, and neither was Xu Yanyan.

Moreover…

“I’m someone who’s very afraid of death, extremely afraid of death,” Su Ming smiled at Xu Yanyan and said, “For that reason, I’ve found a backer. If Senior messes with me, I’m afraid your days ahead will be quite difficult.”

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Xu Yanyan but all the Xu Family Hunters present cast sharp glances at Su Ming.

Even Gao Xu, who had been leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, slightly opened his eyes and turned his gaze toward Su Ming.

“Interesting,” Xu Yanyan fell silent for a moment before sneering, “I’d like to know who this backer of yours is, the one who can make my days difficult.”

“That’s not hard,” Su Ming said with a smile, “Why don’t I let her have a word with you?”As he spoke, Su Ming picked up his phone and dialed a number.

It was a number he had been in contact with over the past few days—someone he had immediately reached out to for help after learning of Xu Qianqian’s condition.

The call connected quickly.

“It seems your troubles have arrived faster than expected.”

When this charming, melodious laughter echoed from the phone’s speaker, Xu Yanyan’s expression shifted.

Gao Xu also abruptly opened his eyes, a look of astonishment flashing within them.

“That voice…”

The smile vanished from Xu Yanyan’s face.

Su Ming, however, acted as if he hadn’t noticed, lifting the phone to begin the conversation.

“Sorry, but I really need your help this time.”

Su Ming sighed.

He meant it sincerely.

He hadn’t intended to trouble this person with such matters.

But plans couldn’t keep up with changes, and Su Ming had no choice but to borrow some influence to cleverly resolve the situation.

Fortunately, he had already sent a message earlier, informing them in advance and securing their agreement.

Otherwise, he might have had to reveal some of his hidden cards this time.

The person on the other end didn’t seem to mind.

“I’d actually prefer it if you troubled me more—or even came to me no matter what happens, my great benefactor.”

The owner of the delightful laughter on the other end of the line was the young woman who had accepted Su Ming’s request to find an Alchemist for him.

Su Ming didn’t waste any time and directly tossed the phone to Xu Yanyan.

Xu Yanyan caught the phone, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke.

“Who… are you?”

Xu Yanyan cautiously chose to inquire.

However, it was pointless.

“Young Miss Yanyan, it seems you have a short memory for important matters,” the young woman said, seemingly covering her mouth as she chuckled lightly. Upon hearing Xu Yanyan’s voice, she immediately added, “Didn’t we just meet at last month’s masquerade ball?”

Hearing this, Xu Yanyan knew that the person on the other end of the phone was indeed the one she had in mind.

“…I never expected you to know the man by my sister’s side.”

Xu Yanyan seemed completely caught off guard, her tone no longer carrying the same pretense as before.

But the other party remained unfazed.

“You’re mistaken,” the young woman said calmly. “He is not the man by your sister’s side.”

The depth of meaning in those words was likely known only to the young woman herself.

At the very least, Xu Yanyan instantly thought of countless possibilities.

If Su Ming wasn’t the man by Xu Qianqian’s side, then whose man was he?

The more she pondered, the more unsettling it became!

Could it be that Xu Qianqian’s interactions with Su Ming, her initiative in approaching him, were because she knew this woman was behind him?

Had Xu Qianqian already established ties with this woman?

Or had Xu Qianqian’s father formed connections with this woman’s family?

If that were the case, it would be the worst possible news.

Xu Yanyan’s heart sank to the depths.

Meanwhile, the young woman shifted the tone of the conversation.

“Let me be straightforward, Young Miss Yanyan,” the young woman said with a light laugh. “This person has done me a great favor, so you must not harm him, alright?”

It wasn’t a threat or a warning—just a simple statement of fact.

Naturally, Xu Yanyan wasn’t willing to concede. With some embarrassment, she retorted, “And what if I do harm him?””Then I might have to whisper in my mother’s ear,” the girl said as if it were nothing. “You know how much my mother dotes on me, and she isn’t too keen on seeing me get involved in conflicts between great Families and major factions. If you harm my benefactor, I’ll have no choice but to step in.”

“Tch…” Xu Yanyan clicked her tongue in annoyance.

She was furious and in a foul mood, yet she couldn’t simply ignore this.

If the forces behind this woman were to intervene in the Xu Family’s struggles, her father would be in serious trouble.

(End of Chapter)