Chapter 5, Undercurrents (02)

I cannot have it

Xu Tang boldly speculated, "Could it be someone from Uncle Zheng?"

Xu Tang did not want to pay attention to him and was preoccupied with washing the cherries. As she washed, Zhou Xian stared at her blankly, his gaze seemingly tangible, making Xu Tang feel as if there were thorns in her back

Xu Yang's room has a balcony. Zhou Xian opened the door and stepped outside, where he saw a large pile of clutter. On a wooden rack, there was a shoebox containing a rusty dumbbell

After Zhou Xian informed her of the detailed location, Xu Tang put on the black outfit eliminated by Xu Yang and went out

Xu Tang took a deep breath, gazing at the piece of paper on the table, and gently pressed her finger against it

You can keep it; if you don't like it, just return it to Xian Ge

Zhou Xian lifted his right hand to weigh it, finding it quite suitable, and then sat down at the desk, lifting dumbbells while reviewing the purchase order drafted by Xu Tang

He glanced a few times and intended to make a couple of changes, but upon seeing Xu Tang's elegant handwriting, he thought better of it and decided against it

In the end, she could not endure any longer, picked a cherry, and brought it to Zhou Xian's lips.

Zhou Xian looked at her and said, "Be my girlfriend"

Xu Tang stepped out of the bedroom, casually closing the door behind her

Zhou Xian lowered his head to dial, "Whatever."

Xu Tang slightly parted her lips but did not speak

The pharmacy owner nodded, and Xu Tang immediately slipped inside. Fang Ju stuffed a black plastic bag that had been prepared in advance into Xu Tang's backpack, carefully securing it. "Miss Xu, I will trouble you to take care of Xian Ge."

Xu Tang felt that her breathing had become thin, and an undeniable sense of oppression emanated from Zhou Xian.

Fang Ju scratched his head

Fang Ju smiled and said, "He can be a bit impatient at times, Miss Xu, please be understanding. Once Brother Xian recovers, we will definitely express our gratitude generously."

Zhou Xian lit a cigarette and reached out to take the piece of paper in front of Xu Tang. Xu Tang instinctively tried to block it, but was still a step too late

Zhou Xian let out a laugh, as if the question she raised was hardly a question at all

Just call me Xu Tang

Xu Tang was momentarily taken aback, then immediately shook her head, "You have a girlfriend"

Zhou Xian curled his lips and said, "The students are on summer vacation, and no one goes around the school. It would be better to set up near the bridge where there are many passersby."

"Hmm," Zhou Xian extinguished the cigarette, "I fear it may be true"

Zhou Xian put down the dumbbells and slowly walked to the kitchen, where Xu Tang was washing cherries under the faucet, her delicate hands holding a handful of bright red cherries, creating a scene that was somewhat enchanting

Zhou Xian remained silent, the smoke slowly rising from his fingers. After a moment, he averted his gaze, stood up, and while walking out, took out his phone to make a call

It is best that you do not know

Xu Tang glanced at Zhou Xian and thought to himself that with a shirt like that, he resembled an ordinary young man

Xu Tang walked to the door, took two steps, and turned to ask him, "What do you want to eat for lunch"

"Wait a moment," Fang Ju extended his hand to reach into his pocket, pulling out an item and handing it to Xu Tang. "This is something that Xian Ge asked me to buy. I don't know if Miss Xu will like it. If you don't like it, when Xian Ge returns in a few days, he can help you buy something else."

Xiao Ge cursed, "You really have some nerve."

The vehicles from Lushan County coming from the north are better positioned north of the bridge than south of it. Zhou Xian drew a circle on the rudimentary map.

Half an hour later, sounds came from outside the gate, and Xu Tang entered carrying several plastic bags.

Zhou Xian raised her eyes from her phone and asked her: "Do you want to know?"

Xu Tang straightened her back involuntarily and asked, "Do you collect the protection fee monthly or daily?"

Xu Tang silently thought for a moment, then looked up at him and asked, "Do you collect protection fees from me?"

She walked to the table to clear the dishes and saw Zhou Xian looking down at his phone. She averted her gaze and seemingly casually asked, "How did you get hurt?"

Fang Ju was momentarily taken aback and immediately said: "Miss Xu, please do not get involved; this time, Brother Xian had no choice but to act."

Zhou Xian walked up to her side and directly pulled a chair to sit down

I suspect they think I saw something said Zhou Xian in a low voice

Zhou Xian spoke in a low voice, and Xu Tang inferred from his tone that the person he was talking to was Fang Ju. He was drinking porridge while on the phone, occasionally responding with a vague sound. By the time the call ended, he had also finished his porridge.

After she finished washing the dishes, she still returned to Xu Yang's room. After a while, she heard Zhou Xian walking over. She pretended not to hear, but her hand that was writing paused for a moment

Zhou Xian, holding a cigarette, glanced at the words she had written on the paper, "The location is not good"

Zhou Xian seemed to be smiling a little, took a puff of smoke, and slowly exhaled, "It's fine if you don't want to collect it."

The two chatted for a few more moments, and Xiao Ge advised Zhou Xian to stay at Xu Tang's house and wait for his support

Zhou Xian walked over slowly, supporting himself with his right hand on the table, and looked down at her, saying, "Give me one."

He glanced into the kitchen, saw no one, and then slowly made his way to Xu Yang's room, where he still found no one

She immediately withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted, and continued to wash the cherries. However, after being soaked in cold water for a long time, that strange sensation still lingered for a long while.

Zhou Xian hung up the phone, changed into his own clothes, and slowly got up to walk towards the living room

Zhou Xian remained silent, sitting back on the bed, "Give me the things." His tone was flat, and Xu Tang was unsure whether he believed her explanation

His tone did not change much, but his gaze had grown a bit colder than before, the sense of threat seemed to transform into a blade pressing closely against his neck, Xu Tang could not help but swallow hard and said, "I do not understand your meaning"

The phone was filled with noise and commotion, when Xiao Ge interjected, the other side immediately fell silent, "I heard about the matter from Fang Zi, when did you provoke Lao Zheng's people?"

Xu Tang curled her lips, thinking that she had already issued two blank receipts

However, this person may appear harmless like a rabbit, but they might bite harder than a dog.

Xu Tang knew that Fang Ju would handle the matter as instructed, so she no longer made things difficult for him. She took the address book, opened it, and glanced at it, where two names were stored.

Xu Tang restrained his impulse to look at the flower pots on the balcony and said lightly: "I have already thrown them away"

How did Zhou Xian get injured

Xu Tang left the pharmacy with something on her back, maintaining a calm demeanor along the way. She browsed several stalls before finally returning home. She took out her keys to unlock the door and glanced into the bedroom, where Zhou Xian was standing with a cigarette in his mouth, his back to the wardrobe that had not yet been closed.

Zhou Xian remained silent

Zhou Xian glanced over and focused on the phone call, "Xiao Ge, it's me."

Zhou Xian slightly squinted his eyes and remained silent for a few seconds, "Xu Haitang, this has become rather uninteresting."

Xu Tang shot a glare at his right hand, while Zhou Xian remained unmoved

Zhou Xian took out another mobile phone from the black bag, raised his eyes to look at Xu Tang, and gestured for her to go out

The sunlight outside was scorching, and Xu Tang was on high alert as she walked east after crossing the bridge. The morning market was bustling, with people crowding the streets. Following Zhou Xian's instructions, Xu Tang turned into a pharmacy, and as soon as she entered, she saw Fang Ju waving at her from behind the curtain.

After Xu Tang entered the door, he glanced into his own bedroom but saw no one. He then went to check Xu Yang's bedroom. Upon catching sight of that person's figure, he immediately averted his gaze and headed towards the kitchen

That is a new mobile phone, Xu Tang is not familiar with mobile phones and does not recognize the brand, but just looking at the design of the phone, it is indeed quite elegant

Xu Tang looked at the map that Zhou Xian had sketched with just a few strokes on the paper and couldn't help but nod. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Zhou Xian was observing her, and she immediately composed her expression.

This little girl looks delicate and fragile like a sprout, dressed in a floral dress, yet she displays a somewhat pitiable appearance

Xu Tang re-engaged in planning, no longer paying attention to Zhou Xian's movements. It was unclear how much time had passed when Xu Tang suddenly heard Zhou Xian start making a phone call, causing her to pause momentarily with the pen in her hand

Xu Tang put down her pen and got up to go to the living room. Zhou Xian was sitting at the dining table, wearing the clothes she had left on the bed. The T-shirt Xu Yang was wearing had several lines of text that read, "Everything is lawful, like dew and like lightning, like a dream or a bubble, one should observe it this way." Two years ago, Xu Yang was particularly fond of such mystical things and had bought quite a few similar items.

Xu Tang tried to make herself appear less curious, but her gaze betrayed her completely

Xu Tang nodded and said, "Then I will return."

After finishing the game, Zhou Xian stood at the door and called out, "Xu Haitang, come help me get something."

Xu Tang was taken aback, "What are you looking for?"

You take it yourself

Xu Tang was taken aback for a moment, then immediately nodded

The hands are not free

Xu Tang lowered her head and silently picked up the bowl and chopsticks

Zhou Xian had been watching her since she entered the door, taking in all her expressions.

Xiao Ge was silent for a few seconds, "Are you saying ... ... "

What conditions?

Zhou Xian bit down on her finger, and Xu Tang withdrew her finger, but in that instant, she touched Zhou Xian's lips