A group of people just stared blankly as Zhang Yun Qing ran away, no one stopped him.
"Inner clan Kirin Tattoo, outer clan Qióngqí… what the heck, isn't this guy from Xiao Ge's family?! Xiao Ge has the Kirin Tattoo, and he's still this young after twenty years, he's definitely an inner member of that Longevity Clan!"
Pang Zi seemed to have discovered a new continent, excitedly slapping his thigh.
"Ah! Damn Fatty, don't slap my leg if you've got nothing to do. It doesn't hurt you, right?"
Wu Xie suffered the unprovoked attack and almost slapped back.
Guan Gen read from Xiao Ge's expressionless face that he had a terrible headache and couldn't recall certain emotions, likely because the story the brat was telling had deeply affected him.
"Xiao Ge, I have some understanding of things too. If you have any questions, just ask me!"
Guan Gen was dead serious, looking like he wished Xiao Ge would dig up dirt on his family tree for eighteen generations, making the people around him stare with wide eyes.
Hei Xiazi couldn't hold back any longer, covering his face with a slap: Oh my, isn't this going to be his future disciple, whom he'll eventually introduce to the world but who always embarrasses him to the point his toes curl? This scene is truly unbearable to watch!
Xiao Ge got straight to the point, "I feel like you're someone as important as Xia Zi. What's our relationship?"
"We, we are good brothers, we are family. You're also like a half-master to me. You would secretly go easy on me so I could learn your moves…"
Guan Gen had no intention of hiding his true identity, but upon seeing Little Wu making a fool of himself, he instantly abandoned the idea of introducing himself.
Xiao Ge was sharp enough to figure it out.
Although he didn't reveal his identity, Xiao Ge pretended to be oblivious.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
Xiao Ge's eyes were full of guilt. From Guan Gen's fragmented words, he learned how difficult and hard Guan Gen's life had been, and he wondered why he hadn't been by his side.
However, seeing him transform from his innocent and pure self into the shrewd person he was now, he felt he hadn't protected him well.
Guan Gen's voice suddenly stopped as if a string had snapped, his eyes slowly reddened, and the smile he forced onto his face was more tragic than crying.
He shook his head desperately, his voice urgent and firm: "No, it's not what you think! It's not your fault, really, it's all me, this is all my own choice…"
See, an adult's psychological defenses can collapse in an instant. Seeing this, Xiao Ge quickly acted, knocking Guan Gen unconscious, fearing he would fall into another mental trap.
He took him to Zhang Yun Qing's room. He remembered the child saying that contact with him was good for the body, and Guan Gen was not in good health.
Then he returned to the living room, as there was still a bewildered and helpless Wu Xie there.
Wu Xie saw Xiao Ge and it was as if he had seen a savior; his eyes instantly lit up.
"Xiao Ge, what exactly happened in the future? Will I also become like that?"
"Don't be afraid," Xiao Ge comforted him.
Jieyu Chen turned his gaze to Hei Xiazi and asked directly: "You've known Xiao Ge for a long time, haven't you? By rights, you should be well aware of the Zhang Family's secrets. Knowing he's been pursuing those memories alone, why did you stand by and watch?"
Huee Xiazi spread his hands helplessly and replied: "Alas, I was powerless in this matter. In my opinion, it wouldn't be so bad for Little Mute to not have those memories. But the key is that this kid is as stubborn as a mule; he doesn't listen to anything I say. Doesn't your Zhang Family have such a tradition? Once they reach adulthood, there's like a voice in their heads that urges them to do certain things."
Huee Xiazi tilted his head back and downed the wine in his glass: "I wish Mute remembered nothing. I once promised a little fellow that I would take good care of Mute, and I can't break that promise."
Wu Xie was instantly drawn in, curious: "Who was it?"
"Dead, dead for decades now, just a pile of ashes."
Wu Xie felt a bit of regret: "That must have been someone very close to Xiao Ge, otherwise, they wouldn't have said that."
"By the way, Guan Gen previously asked us to bring Lǎo Yǎng's mother out. I've already arranged a place for her to stay. You'll probably see Lǎo Yǎng in a while."
Jieyu Chen suddenly remembered this matter and mentioned it casually. Wu Xie didn't ask what he knew, so he didn't tell Wu Xie what he knew about future events.
"Lǎo Yǎng? That guy is coming out soon too. I don't know what he's thinking; he hasn't let me see him these past few years."
"Lǎo Yǎng cares most about his mother. I didn't expect you, Little Flower, to have brought her out and settled her."
"When Lǎo Yǎng comes to see his mother, we'll let them talk through the door. If he doesn't beg me properly for not letting him see his mother these past few years, I won't let him see her."
Wu Xie spoke with increasing anger. His childhood friend had been taken away a few years ago, and every time he tried to visit him afterward, he was refused. He’d sworn that when Lǎo Yǎng got out and came looking for him, he’d beat him up.
They grew up playing together. What was so shameful about spending some time in a place that provided food and lodging? He refused to see him.
That guy deserved a beating!
Pang Zi clearly noticed something but remained unperturbed, pretending not to know.
He nodded: "I think Little A'qing's words make a lot of sense. It seems we'll likely be spending our lives together from now on, so we might as well live together to avoid trouble."
Wu Xie agreed: "It's best to choose a place close to Wúshān Jū; it'll be more convenient for business."
Pang Zi readily agreed: "No problem. I, Grandpa Fatty, am drifting alone in Panjiayuan. I'll pack up and move over there."
Pang Zi turned to look at Xiao Ge, "Xiao Ge, you'll be living here too, right?"
Wu Xie looked at Xiao Ge pleadingly, with an expression that said, 'If you don't agree, I'll cry right here.'
This look made Hei Xiazi's heart tremble, and he muttered to himself: Oh my, do I really have to take this disciple?
Finally, unable to resist, he spoke up, "Hey, what a coincidence! The courtyard where I and Mute live is just one street away from your shabby little shop. That place will be our base of operations from now on!"
"Black Glasses, what do you mean 'shabby little shop'? Brother Guan told me earlier that you opened a blind massage parlor, but you didn't even have any customers and had to go to the overpass to solicit business. I wonder how your rundown shop hasn't gone bankrupt yet?"
"Hey, your shop that sells only fakes is still standing, so why should my legitimate massage shop go bankrupt? Even if Wúshān Jū collapses one day, Master Hei's massage shop will still be bustling."
"Tch, that's a genuine antique shop. I sell antiques and artworks, don't spread rumors here!"
Pang Zi, seeing them argue fiercely, found it boring and went back to his room to sleep, to avoid listening to their spitting-filled arguments.
Jieyu Chen, like the others, decided to retire to his room.
At this moment, only Xiao Ge remained calmly listening, as the two went at each other from head to toe, not sparing even a single strand of hair, until the innocent and naive Wu Xie, dizzy from Hei Xiazi's two drinks, completely 'fell on the battlefield.'
Facing this disciple who hadn't officially joined yet, Master Hei chose to turn a blind eye and ignore him.
Afterward, he took Xiao Ge back to his room to discuss some matters.
Xiao Ge pondered for a moment, and in the end, he personally took the heavily inebriated person back to his room.
When he returned to his own room, Hei Xiazi was flipping through a German book. Seeing Xiao Ge looking at him, he shifted his gaze from the book.
"Mute, you remembered."
"Mm."
"Time flies. We haven't paid respects for a long time."
"No need."
Huee Xiazi sighed leisurely: "Alas, since it's a new life and a new chapter, my brother, you shouldn't dwell on those memories anymore. If we join forces, we'll be invincible! Won't gold and silver treasures come rolling in then?"
Xiao Ge heard him but just lowered his eyes silently, saying nothing.
"Fine, fine," Hei Xiazi waved his hand, giving a self-deprecating smile. "It seems I owed you in my past life. I really can't bend your stubborn will."
With that, he got up and walked towards the door. But just as he reached the doorway, he seemed to suddenly remember something and stopped, turning back: "Alright, get some rest, Mute. You're not in good health either, don't force yourself to ponder those things."