Seeing that I looked lacking in enthusiasm, Wu Jiahui, who was drinking milk, asked with concern, "What's wrong? You look so listless. Didn't you sleep well last night?"
"Yeah, a little. I was on the phone with my brother all night," I replied offhandedly, making up an excuse.
Wu Jiahui put down her milk and looked at me earnestly, making me lower my head with a guilty conscience. Seeing this, Wu Jiahui ruthlessly exposed me, "Didn't you fall asleep past nine o'clock last night? I clearly heard you two hang up around eight-thirty. What, did you go back and call him again?"
"Oh, after I went back, I chatted with him on WeChat," I said, pretending to have just remembered.
"Sigh, I can tell that you still don't really trust me. I don't blame you, though; it's always right to be careful. After all, caution is the parent of safety, and having your guard up never hurts," Wu Jiahui said earnestly like an old mother.
My head was spinning from listening to this, so I hurriedly changed the subject, "Xiao Wu, do you think dreams can become reality?"
Wu Jiahui was startled, put away her smile, and asked me seriously, "You mean you had a dream last night?"
"Yeah, I really did have a dream last night, and actually two of them..." I recounted everything to Wu Jiahui in detail.
Suddenly, a beggar came running over in a panic. Before he could get close to Wu Jiahui, two men in black intercepted him. One of them asked coldly, "Halt, who are you?"
Looking anxious, the beggar hastily replied, "Deputy Pavilion Master, it's me, Xiao Zhou."
"Xiao Zhou, how did you get yourself into this state?" Wu Jiahui asked, looking bewildered.
"Our people risked their lives to send back a piece of extremely important information: more than thirty people from the Wanfo Sect are rushing here at all costs. Perhaps that matter has been exposed. Please, Deputy Pavilion Master, leave first with Mr. Chen. We will stay behind to cover the rear."
The man in black was shocked and asked incredulously, "Deputy Pavilion Master, what is going on here? Aside from the few of us, how could anyone else know about this? Could there be a traitor?"
"No, anyone who can enter my Yayue Pavilion absolutely has no issues. It seems the people behind them have already found out. First Tianfo Temple, and now the Wanfo Sect—this matter is definitely not as simple as it looks on the surface. It must be that Fortune Teller from Tianfo Temple, or the person behind him," one of the men in black immediately retorted, overturning that speculation.
Seeming to have thought of something, Wu Jiahui suddenly raised her head, which gave me quite a start. The man in black, who was still analyzing, also shut his mouth. She hurriedly fished out her phone and fiddled with it. After a moment, a lazy female voice sounded from the phone: "What is it?"
Wu Jiahui said something that left me baffled, "Sister, a problem has cropped up on my end after all. It seems you still have to come in person, otherwise I really can't resolve this."
"Alright, I know. I'll rush over as soon as possible. You all wait there for me. No matter what, you must protect him well. I'll notify them over there to send people to support you."
Wu Jiahui said with concern, "Okay, hurry and come over. I'm afraid that delays will lead to complications."
"Waiter, go call your boss over. I have instructions," Wu Jiahui commanded with a worried expression.
"Understood, President Wu," the waiter replied.
Before long, the hotel manager hurried over and asked cautiously, "President Wu, what are your orders?"
Wu Jiahui nodded to indicate she understood and methodically arranged various matters.
"Starting from now, two Tier 5 cultivators will remain in the hotel to hold the fort. All other cultivators of the Fourth Tier and above will set out with me. Mobilize the cultivators of the Fourth Tier and above from the city's Yayue Pavilion to gather at the abandoned factory in the southern part of the city. We'll leave them a 'surprise' there."
The hotel manager nodded in agreement and turned away to make the arrangements.
"Alright, President Wu, I'll make the arrangements promptly and have them set out as soon as possible."
Watching the departing manager, I suddenly felt a trace of unease in my heart. Just as I lowered my head in thought, Wu Jiahui interrupted me.
"What's wrong?"
I nodded and said worriedly, "Yeah, I feel a bit uneasy, but I can't quite put my finger on it."
Wu Jiahui smiled and comforted me, "Don't overthink it. You have more than just me behind you. I certainly won't be able to stop whoever is coming, but I'm confident I can stall them. Besides, the Pavilion Master is already on her way. I just don't know if that person will make a move."
"Who is that person?" I frowned, utterly puzzled.
Wu Jiahui shook her head and gave me a comforting look, "Don't worry, she's not an enemy. It's just not the right time yet, and there's no way I can tell you. Actually, I don't know much about her either; only the Pavilion Master knows her origins."
After chatting with Wu Jiahui for a while, the manager walked over with a few people.
"President Wu, everyone is here."
Looking at them, Wu Jiahui said in a ringing voice, "Everyone get in the cars. Tonight, at all costs, we must make sure they don't return!"
"Yes, President Wu!" everyone replied in unison.
In the afternoon, Wu Jiahui led the group to the abandoned factory in the southern part of the city. This place had long been dilapidated, littered with garbage everywhere, and reeking of a pungent odor. I couldn't stand it and pinched my nose. It truly was a good spot, with virtually no residents living nearby, so there was no need to worry about being discovered.
Wu Jiahui was obviously also suffering from the stench, continually waving her pleated delicate hand in an attempt to dispel the foul smell, though with very little effect. I felt like laughing and tried hard to hold it in so I wouldn't burst out.
Unable to bear the smell any longer, Wu Jiahui glared at me and said crossly, "What are you laughing at? What's so funny? Share it with me."
I chuckled and said, "Nothing, nothing at all."
Wu Jiahui rolled her eyes at me, then flashed a bewitching smile. At that sight, I had a bad feeling. Wu Jiahui slowly pulled out a—gas mask? Good grief, I had to hand it to her; she was actually prepared and had brought a gas mask in advance.
Wu Jiahui looked at me provocatively, intentionally waving the gas mask in front of me. Seeing my depressed expression, she said with a half-smile, "Laugh, why aren't you laughing anymore? Go on and suffocate to death in this stench."
I was speechless for a moment, but the smell was truly overwhelming, so I swallowed my pride and ingratiated myself, "Xiao Wu, give me one!"
"Oh, tsk tsk tsk! I thought you could hold out! It seems I thought too much of it. But no, I only have this one," Wu Jiahui mocked.
I wasn't about to fall for that—how could I possibly believe she only had one? So I shamelessly pestered Wu Jiahui. Finally, she couldn't stand my constant chattering and reluctantly took out another gas mask with annoyance.
I eagerly put on the mask and instantly felt like I had come back to life; it didn't smell suffocating anymore.
Wu Jiahui let out a light snort and laughed craftily, "Hmph, little brat, the mask costs 500. Remember to pay me back when we get back."
I was speechless once more. So this was a trap all along!
"Xiao Wu, with our relationship, is that really necessary? Besides, I'm just a little brat, where would I get any money?"
Hearing this, Wu Jiahui immediately retorted, "Puh-lease, keep dreaming. We only just met, right? How have you got the nerve to scam me out of a gas mask?"