Chapter 148: Anticipation

Ignoring the two men tangled on the ground, Lin Xiao addressed the visibly frightened Brother Zhou, “I’ll leave Yang Tao’s matter to you.”

“Yes, yes, Master. I will handle it properly,” Brother Zhou hastily nodded in response.

Lin Xiao observed Brother Zhou’s anxious demeanor. Confident that he would manage the situation well. Lin Xiao no longer paid him any attention and turned to leave the area.

Luo Xiaofeng followed behind Lin Xiao, still feeling as if he were in a dream regarding the recent turn of events. He couldn’t fathom how the situation had unfolded this way. Yang Tao had brought in a heavyweight for help, the captain of the fire brigade, a figure Luo considered untouchable.

However, Brother Zhou appeared utterly terrified of Lin Xiao.

Situations that seemed hopeless and even despairing to Luo Xiaofeng were trivial for Lin Xiao. Although he had always admired Lin Xiao, it was primarily for his physical prowess. However, the current events made him realize that Lin Xiao’s identity was also incredibly significant.

With this thought, Luo Xiaofeng felt relieved. Although he wasn’t one to seek favor, he was glad to have formed a good relationship with Lin Xiao.

“Keep today’s incident to yourself. Yang Tao will be leaving his position soon,” Lin Xiao said, leading the way.

Before today, Lin Xiao hadn’t realized the extent of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall’s influence. However, the day’s events gave him some insight.

The position of a fire brigade captain, though not high-ranking, was still significant in the eyes of ordinary people. Yet, in Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, such a person was merely an insignificant formal student.

Furthermore, Brother Zhou’s fearful demeanor toward Lin Xiao illustrated the awe and respect commanded by the head of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.

From this subtle indication, Lin Xiao could infer that Chen’s Martial Arts Hall wielded formidable power in Jinghai City, enough to be considered a significant local force.

To avoid complications, it was better if not many in the company knew about his role as the headmaster of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.

Luo Xiaofeng quickly assured, “Don’t worry, Brother Lin. I won’t speak a word of it.”

Lin Xiao nodded. He was thoroughly weary of these petty and troublesome matters, yet there always seemed to be those who, ignorant of what was good for them, provoked him.

After Luo Xiaofeng left, Lin Xiao returned to his office, planning to rest for a while. Just then, his phone in his pocket started to vibrate. He pulled out his phone and saw an incoming call from Chen Tianxing of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.

Pressing the answer button, he said, “Uncle Chen, what’s up?”

“Lin Xiao, are you free tomorrow?” Chen Tianxing didn’t beat around the bush. “Tomorrow is our school’s annual exchange conference. We need you to come to the school.”

“No problem, Uncle Chen. I’ll be there for sure,” Lin Xiao took a deep breath, his voice steady. He had been looking forward to this day for a long time.

“You need to be in top form. I won’t hide it from you. Tomorrow’s conference might not be entirely peaceful. You might have to fight if necessary,” Chen Tianxing spoke gravely. “I’ll explain the details when you get to the school tomorrow.”

“Alright, I understand.”

After hanging up, Lin Xiao’s blood boiled with a unique fervor. His eyes sparkled with a resolute light, shining brightly.

Since leaving the military, he had never encountered an opponent of equal strength. While he wasn’t obsessed with martial arts, he knew too well that prolonged peace was like a slow poison to a warrior.

It dulled the will, and it eroded the strength.

However, because he needed to protect Yuan Yu and her mother, he couldn’t leave this peaceful environment. He even had to guard this tranquility. Yet the blood of an ancient warrior within him was restlessly stirring. So, when Chen’s Martial Arts Hall invited him to be the headmaster, he didn’t show much resistance.

Learning that he wouldn’t have to stay at the school every day, he had quickly agreed.

Now, the chance to face off against ancient martial arts masters was finally here.

Who would he meet tomorrow?

But no matter who the opponent was, Lin Xiao feared nothing.

***

After work, when Lin Xiao arrived at Yuan Yu’s house, it was already 8 PM.

Yuan Yu had finished school and was preparing dinner in the kitchen. Hearing the door open, she ran out without even having time to wash her hands.

She was wearing a sky-blue cartoon T-shirt with knee-length denim jeans, revealing her long, fair legs. She exuded both the vibrancy of youth and the allure of a mature woman. Wrapped in a cute apron with a stalk of green vegetables in hand, Yuan Yu’s face lit up with joy at the sight of Lin Xiao entering. “Big Brother Lin, you’re back.”

“Mhm, how was your day?”

Lin Xiao took off his coat and hung it casually on the rack.

“Not so great,” pouted Yuan Yu, her small feet shuffling lightly on the floor, her large eyes blinking rapidly as she looked up at Lin Xiao. “Did you work overtime today? Why are you back so late?”

Lin Xiao usually finished work at six and was home by six-thirty.

Lin Xiao couldn’t help but smile wryly. Wan Caixuan had been inexplicably angry since the afternoon and hadn’t spoken to him.

He wouldn’t normally have been so late. There wasn’t much going on at the company, and all the employees had left on time. But Wan Caixuan had stayed in her office, and as her personal bodyguard, he couldn’t leave early either, so he waited.

He had thought Wan Caixuan was busy with something important, but as he waited at the door, his keen hearing picked up the sounds of gunfire and shouting from the office.

It was clear to him, Wan Caixuan was watching a movie.

“It’s nothing, just had to work a bit late.” Lin Xiao didn’t want to worry her about work details. “By the way, did you go to the hospital today? How is Aunt’s recovery? What did Dr. Li say?”

Yuan Yu’s face broke into a sweet smile, clearly in a good mood.

“Yes, Caixing came with me. Mother’s much better now, not so pale anymore. Dr. Li said the special medication treatment is going well.”

“That’s good to hear,” Lin Xiao smiled slightly, relieved. “We should visit your mother more often now that’s a crucial time for her treatment.”

“I know.”

After a few more words with Lin Xiao, Yuan Yu returned to the kitchen to continue cooking.

Lin Xiao took off his suit, revealing a body not particularly muscular but well-proportioned and sharply defined, and headed for a cold shower. Feeling refreshed and reinvigorated after the shower, as if he had washed away all the day’s unpleasantness and worries, Lin Xiao felt renewed from the inside out.