Hearing Shi Luoluo's story, Sun Xueling's heart lightened. She told herself it was none of her business, yet her emotions betrayed her, stirred by an involuntary pull. "Sister Xueling, I get why Lei Bro picked you to look after me," Luoluo said, eyes twinkling. "Your smile's gorgeous." Young but seasoned by hardship, Luoluo was wise beyond her years, both in body and spirit. Noticing Xueling's shifting expressions, she saw through her claim that she and Zhengyang were mere strangers.
Xueling blushed faintly. "Luoluo's the real beauty—the prettiest girl I've ever seen."
Luoluo shrugged, unfazed. She knew her looks. Back in junior high, love letters flooded in, feeding her vanity. But life's blows taught her who truly cared. "Sister Xueling, Lei Bro's no ordinary guy," she said earnestly. "If you fall for him, don't try to cage him. He's not a man any one woman can claim. Trust me."
Xueling smiled softly. "Luoluo, I should be comforting you, not the other way around. Don't worry—I don't chase what I can't have. A simple life, with my brother safe, is enough." She couldn't imagine then that by letting Xiaohu follow Zhengyang, she'd stepped into her inescapable fate, mirroring her past life's path—only years earlier.
Their chat deepened their connection, weaving a sisterly bond. Hand-in-hand, they roamed the dazzling shopping street, laughter spilling freely. To passersby, they were sisters, radiant and youthful, sparking endless daydreams.
"Oh, this lingerie's stunning!" Luoluo squealed, holding up a daringly sexy piece. "Xueling Sis, grab a few! I bet Lei Bro would love these." Her mischievous grin belied her age, diving into bold territory with glee.
Xueling's face burned. "No way, too embarrassing! Luoluo, you're too young for this stuff!"
Luoluo giggled. "My figure's not bad! I'll get some. If I wear these for Lei Bro and knock him out, he'll have to keep me forever!" Despite Xueling's protests, Luoluo's charm won out. Not only did Luoluo buy some, but Xueling, flustered, grabbed one too, stuffing it into her bag, too shy to glance at it. Luoluo, unfazed, flaunted hers, drawing hungry stares from passing men.
They shopped all afternoon, leaving Zhengyang parked, bored out of his mind. To pass the time, he meditated, channeling his Golden Dragon power until dusk, when the girls finally tapped the car door. "Lei Bro, open up! We're loaded down!" Luoluo called, lugging six or seven bags. Xueling, behind her, juggled over a dozen, essentials and extras piled high.
Zhengyang crammed their haul into the trunk, chuckling wryly. "Just daily necessities, huh? Took you long enough. What'd you buy?"
Xueling froze, blocking him. Some items were not for male eyes. Luoluo burst out laughing. "Lei Bro, forgot to mention—we got some sexy lingerie. Xueling Sis too! Wanna stay tonight? I'll model mine for you." Leaning close, she whispered loud enough for Xueling to hear, "Sis's got a killer figure. You'll be nosebleeding—don't miss out!"
Xueling cringed. Buying that lingerie, egged on by Luoluo, had sparked this mortifying mess. She glared at Luoluo, who just wrinkled her nose, flashing a cheeky grin. Zhengyang's mind drifted, vivid memories of Xueling flickering—distant yet crystal clear. "Don't tempt me," he said, eyes roving over Xueling's chest, waist, and hips, lingering brazenly. "If anyone in this world knows Xueling best, it's me."
Blushing under his brazen stare, Xueling ducked into the car, poking her head out. "Luoluo, weren't you starving? Dinner or not?"
Luoluo smirked. "Lei Bro, you made Sis shy!"
For Luoluo, a lonely girl with no one else, Zhengyang's presence was pure joy—her sunshine, sparking endless smiles. After a lavish dinner, he drove them back, helping unload their bags into the villa's hall before turning to leave.
Luoluo's giggles faded to quiet reluctance. Clutching his hand, she asked, "Lei Bro, you're really going?"
He brushed her cheek, smiling. "Gotta head back, Luoluo. I'll visit, I promise. Work hard, get into Tsinghua, and I'll throw you a big celebration. Got my number? Call if you're in trouble. I'm waiting for you to grow up."
Turning to Xueling, he added, "Xueling, Luoluo's in your hands. If it's urgent and you can't reach me, find Ye Qingcheng. You know her—gorgeous but a bit haughty. Still, she's decent."
Without giving Luoluo a chance to cling, he hopped into his car and sped off. "Sis, Lei Bro's gone," Luoluo murmured. "He'll come back, right?"
Xueling, though not in love with him, felt a pang at his departure after their day together. Patting Luoluo's shoulder, she hugged her. "Don't worry, he'll definitely visit."
At Yangtian League's headquarters, once a casual hangout for Zhengyang's crew, a new air of discipline hung heavy, thanks to Xiao Dasheng's crackdown. As Zhengyang's car pulled up, two burly men—twin brothers A-Long and A-Hu, his trusted bodyguards—rushed to open the door. Skilled fighters, they'd been scooped up for show, always flanking him on outings.
"Boss Lei, you're here!" A-Long said. "Big Bro Dasheng's inside, talking to them."
Zhengyang nodded, spotting Sun Xiaohu leaning against the doorframe, twirling a dagger with fluid precision, the blade dancing in his fingers. His lips curled in a dismissive sneer at the noisy chaos within. Approaching, Zhengyang saw a heated argument—several men clashing with Xiao Dasheng, while Li Yuanfeng sat silently, observing.
"Come on, Xiaohu," Zhengyang said, clapping his shoulder. "Follow me. You need to learn to lead, not play lone wolf." He strode in, A-Long and A-Hu trailing, with Xiaohu close behind.
"Boss!"
"Boss is here! Let him settle this!"
"Boss, judge this! Who's Xiao Dasheng to kick us out? I'm a Yangtian vet—what gives him the right?"
"Yeah, some nobody from Tianjin's Xiao family, acting big! Without Boss, he's nothing. My farts carry more weight than him!"
Zhengyang said nothing, sinking into his throne-like chair—the seat of the boss. Glancing at Xiao Dasheng, he asked, "Got what I asked for?"
Xiao Dasheng handed over a dossier—a detailed audit of Yangtian League's five-year history, evaluating every member's merits and sins. The worthy would stay; the loudmouths ranting now? They'd abused Zhengyang's name for personal gain, ignoring the League's interests. They were out.
"Tang Hanying," Zhengyang began, voice cold. "Your Tang family's well-off, not hurting for cash. Yet you charged fees to sneak people into the League. What do you think this place is—a pay-to-play club?"
"He Xiangyue, a so-called veteran. Strutting around as a League bigshot, fine. But raping a white-collar woman in March and using the League to dodge the law? What's that make us?"
"Qian Feihe, jealous and scheming. Last year, Old Fourth went to jail because you framed him, didn't you? Got anything to say?"