Chapter 156 Always Welcome

"Who do you think that big figure behind the scenes really is?"

Liu Erpang poured a drink for Xu Fei, lowering his voice as he spoke. "Brother, this is the provincial capital. There are plenty of powerful figures here who can reach the heavens with both hands."

"I know that, but honestly, I shouldn't have crossed paths with such a big figure."

Xu Fei replied with a puzzled expression, tossing back the alcohol in his cup in one go.

Today had been a brush with death. Thinking back to the tension in that courtyard, even now, a lingering sense of fear gripped him.

If those two young fellows had arrived even a minute later, he probably wouldn't be sitting here right now, facing Liu Erpang.

It seemed, just as the two of them had said, the thieves lurking in the shadows would not let this rest easily.

Now that one of their men was dead and another injured, with a third locked up inside, it was imperative that he leave this place as soon as possible.

"Brother Xu, have this."

At that moment, Lin Fang walked out of the kitchen, carrying a steaming bowl of hot noodle soup.

"You made this?"

Xu Fei looked up in surprise at Lin Fang, whose face was filled with worry.

"Mm, yeah. How does it taste? Try it."

Lin Fang handed him a pair of chopsticks.

Taking them, Xu Fei smiled, picked up the bowl, and eagerly slurped down several mouthfuls.

"Ah!"

He let out a sound of pure satisfaction.

"Is it good?"

Seeing his expression while eating, Lin Fang asked happily.

"Mmm, not bad. If you were to open a noodle shop, business would definitely be booming!"

Xu Fei said as he continued eating until the bowl was completely empty.

"I say, Brother Fei, how many days have you gone without a meal?"

Xiaolan teased from the side.

Lin Fang let out a soft giggle and shook her head.

"Brother Xu, if you like it so much, I can make it for you every day!"

That single sentence instantly froze the previously cozy atmosphere as if it had been plunged into ice.

Liu Erpang and Xiaolan exchanged awkward glances at Xu Fei.

"I, uh, I'm going to check on the back..."

Liu Erpang stood up and practically fled into the back kitchen.

"Brother Fei, I, I remembered I still have some vegetables to wash. Why don't you guys chat, I'll be right back."

Xiaolan hurried into the back kitchen as well.

Xu Fei swallowed hard.

He knew Lin Fang's feelings, but such a thing was utterly impossible.

Putting aside whether he already had a family, even if he were single, the age gap between him and Lin Fang was simply too vast.

"Are you really determined not to leave this place?"

Xu Fei's tone was extremely serious, carrying the weight of an interrogation.

"What do you think?"

Lin Fang countered instead.

"What do I think?"

Xu Fei looked at her.

"Pack your things right now, come home with me, and focus on your studies. When the time comes, I'll speak with your parents and convince them to drop their plans for your job and marriage."

Lin Fang clearly didn't put much faith in his words.

"Do you really think they'll agree to what you say?"

"Didn't they agree this time?"

Xu Fei asked, looking at her with a trace of irritation.

"Agree?"

Lin Fang looked at him as if he were being hopelessly naive, shaking her head. "Are you really that clueless, or are you just pretending? Do you honestly think Comrade Zhang Min is the kind of person who obeys your every word?"

She paused before adding, "Perhaps Old Lin might strictly keep his promise to you. Unfortunately, when it comes to family matters, he holds virtually no actual authority."

Xu Fei almost laughed out loud at Lin Fang's razor-sharp analysis.

"Fine, what you're saying makes sense, but..."

He reached out and grabbed Lin Fang's hand.

"Here, sit down. I feel like I need to make one thing completely clear to you."

Drawn by his hand to sit opposite him, Lin Fang looked completely bewildered. "Brother Xu, what do you want to tell me?"

"Lin Fang, there is something I must say to you face to face: you and I are impossible."

Hearing this, Lin Fang's expression instantly darkened.

"Why is it impossible? I'm already twenty-one today. I'm an adult, and I have the right to decide my own future, as well as the right to choose my own partner."

Xu Fei raised a hand to cut her off.

"I know, everything you're saying is true. But I am a married man. I cannot abandon my family for your sake, do you understand?"

"Of course I know that. I never said I wanted to destroy your family. I can wait."

Xu Fei froze.

"Wait? What kind of nonsense are you talking about, Lin Fang? How can you wait? This is a wait with no end in sight. You're ruining your own life, don't you realize that?"

Xu Fei spoke with rising emotion, his brows furrowed tightly.

"I don't care. I've set my mind on you, so you don't need to try and persuade me anymore."

With that, Lin Fang stood up and stubbornly picked up the wine glass sitting in front of Xu Fei.

"What are you doing?"

Xu Fei was too late to stop her.

Lin Fang downed the entire cup of liquor in one go.

Cough, cough...

The burning sting of the alcohol caused Lin Fang to cough violently, yet she managed a faint smile.

"This is my first time drinking alcohol. I never expected it to taste so good."

Xu Fei gave a wry, helpless shake of his head.

"Alright, I have no right to interfere with your choices. However, your education must continue. Therefore, you must finish your studies now, and then..."

Seeing him stop, Lin Fang opened her eyes wide and asked, "And then what?"

"And then..."

Xu Fei thought for a moment.

"If possible, come find me in Donghai. Perhaps we can revisit this conversation then."

"Really?"

Lin Fang walked over excitedly, grabbing Xu Fei by both arms.

"Have I ever lied to you?"

Xu Fei asked her solemnly.

Lin Fang nodded.

That was true.

From the day she met him, Xu Fei had never once lied to her.

"Just two more years."

Lin Fang held up two fingers, nodding with a sense of fulfillment.

"Then you'll come back home with me right now and continue your schooling. Deal?"

Lin Fang nodded.

At that moment, Liu Erpang and Xiaolan walked out from the kitchen.

"Oh, Xiaofang, you've made the right decision. Your Brother Xu won't lie to you."

Lin Fang nodded at Liu Erpang.

"That's right! Brother Fei is such a good person. If it's meant to be, once you graduate in two years, you can go find him in Donghai."

Xiaolan chimed in.

"I have to leave now. But I really learned a lot here these past couple of days, and thank you both for taking care of me, especially Sister Xiaolan."

"Oh, it's nothing. Honestly, I'm going to miss you when you're gone."

Xiaolan's expression turned a bit sorrowful.

"Sister Xiaolan, why are you like this? Our school is so close to here, I'll come back and visit often. I haven't eaten enough of your steamed buns yet."

Hearing this, Xiaolan smiled and said, "You're always welcome."