Chapter 143: The Tree Wants Quiet but the Wind Won't Stop

  The train started half an hour later, I sat next to the conductor, drinking Tieguanyin tea he brought me, watching the goose feather-like snow in front of me, and listening to the conductor's words with a distracted mind.

  The train conductor is not a strong man, on the contrary, she is a beauty. However, this beauty is from twenty years ago. The current lady is already the mother of that beauty and can only be considered a lady.

  I told the train conductor that I was a flight attendant, so when he saw me, he immediately enthusiastically invited me to come and sit down, made tea for me, and even chatted with me personally to pass the time.

  I had something on my mind and wasn't really in the mood to chat with the train conductor. So after he finished telling a very long story about his life on the train, I politely excused myself, saying that I was tired and wanted to rest.

  The train conductor had actually noticed my fatigue earlier and immediately arranged a small compartment for me to rest when I mentioned wanting to take a break.

  I politely thanked the train conductor and then said to the attendant waiting outside the compartment: "You can go busy, I'm resting."

  The flight attendant nodded and smiled as she walked away.

  I fell asleep as soon as I lay down and quickly fell into a deep sleep, completely unaware of everything outside.

  I don't know what's going on, but every time I'm on this train, I sleep very soundly. This time, I slept for almost a whole day again. When I woke up, the train seemed to be approaching Yinchuan already. I quickly got up and opened the door of my compartment, asking the attendant who was standing outside: "Where are we? Is it Yinchuan?"

  The flight attendant smiled and said: "There are still ten minutes before arriving in Yinchuan, sir."

  I nodded and suddenly remembered that I originally wanted to take this opportunity to go home, so I said to the flight attendant: "Then I'll get off the bus now, thank you all along the way, we'll meet again."

  The conductor hastily said: "I'll go call the train captain..."

  I smiled and shook my head: "Don't disturb others, I'll get off alone."

  The flight attendant nodded slightly, smiled at me, and had a warm smile on her face, making me feel very close.

  I also smiled and waved goodbye, walking towards the car door.

  Ten minutes passed quickly, and the train slowly came to a stop. I stepped down from the train and followed the crowd to leave this train that I had stayed on for several days.

  I came alone to the outside of the train station, now it's still early, seems like it's only around 7-8 pm, so I strolled along the highway outside the train station, also considered as touring this place called Yinchuan.

  I walked for almost an hour and saw that it was approaching 9 o'clock in the evening. I looked around and saw a humble-looking wine house nearby, so I went in.

  The wine house is not big, but it's very clean inside. It looks like a meticulous person runs this place. The front desk is a woman in her thirties, who stood up immediately when she saw me and smiled: "Welcome, are you here to stay or dine?"

  "I smiled and said: 'Trouble you to open a room for me, then send some food to my room.' I took out my ID card and handed it over to the front desk lady."

  The lady took a glance at my ID card and said regretfully, "You are General Jin Cang, aren't you? I'm sorry, we just received a notice that you're wanted... This... We can't give you a room, please forgive us."

  I was stunned for a moment, then remembered what Chen Jing had said to me before, so I smiled slightly, of course it was a bitter smile, and then took back my ID card and turned around to leave.

  I never thought that a wanted person would be refused accommodation and food. But this is also a good phenomenon, after all, if everyone were like this, there would be fewer lawbreakers and people's lives would be more peaceful and happy.

  As I walked out of the small wine house, just about to continue on my journey and find a place to settle down, I heard someone laugh and say: "I didn't think that the great General Jin would also be driven out by such a small wine house..."

  As soon as I heard this voice, I felt something was off. Because this voice was unmistakably Xia Lin's. How could she be here? Had she been following me all along? But with my skills and hearing, it was impossible for her, a woman who didn't know any martial arts, to follow me. Besides, I had been walking randomly the whole way, and hadn't noticed anyone following me.

  Was I so preoccupied with thoughts in my heart that I overlooked this point, and even didn't notice Xia Lin following me?

  I quickly dismissed the idea, because when I turned around, apart from Xia Lin, there was also that very annoying Dongfang Yonghao. Both of them were standing less than ten meters away from me, both with a smile on their faces, and it seemed they had indeed followed me here.

  I silently scolded myself for being so careless, I didn't even know they were following me, it's really infuriating!

  I tried to rid myself of the guilt in my heart and smiled, saying: "What a coincidence, you're also looking for a place to live?"

  Xia Lin smiled and said, "We didn't find a place to stay. We... were looking for you." After pausing for a moment, she took a few steps forward, almost close enough to touch me, before continuing, "What are you thinking about? All the way here we followed you, but not only did you not notice us, you didn't even lift your head once. Were you thinking about your girlfriend?"

  I forced a smile and said: "I don't know what I'm thinking about, it just feels like there's something on my mind, like... I've lost my soul..."

  My words were originally true, but Xia Lin's face suddenly turned red, and then she said in a very small voice: "If you can't bear to leave, why pretend to be a big man... If I didn't come to find you, would you just go on like this, lost and listless, like a living dead person?"

  I heard three parts of blame and seven parts of joy in her tone, and suddenly I knew I was wrong again. So I hurriedly said: "I'm not either..."

  Xia Lin interrupted me: "Don't say any more, be careful that others might hear. I... we have a place to live, come with us."

  I had intended to refuse, but seeing the hopeful look on her face, I couldn't bear it: "Well... okay, I'm currently wanted by the police, and probably no hotel would dare to let me stay."

  Xia Lin smiled, looking very pleased, but said: "Are you still staying? Not reporting to the police and arresting you is already being very kind..."

  I laughed and said, "Actually, I've already experienced this kind of life before, but at that time I had friends around me, and my friends helped me with many things, so I didn't feel it was such a hassle..."

  Xia Lin also smiled: "First go to the place where you live, if you want to say something, just say it at that time, and Dongfang and I will be your faithful listeners." She turned her head and looked at Dongfang Yonghao, who had not come over all this time, and said loudly: "Right, Dongfang?"

  Dongfang Yonghao's face didn't look too good, but he still nodded: "Yes, miss."

  I knew that the misunderstanding between the three of us was getting deeper and deeper, but there was no chance to explain, so I could only smile and ask Dongfang Yonghao: "Where do you guys live?"

  Dongfang Yonghao didn't speak to me, nor did he look at me. Instead, Xia Lin said: "Our car will be here soon to pick us up, and then you'll know where we live."

  I nodded and sighed quietly, just about to speak to break the awkward atmosphere, when I heard the sound of a car approaching. This wine tower is actually quite remote, with passing vehicles driving by about 100 meters away, and it's rare for cars to come over here.

  Xia Lin heard the sound of the car's engine and immediately said to me: "Our car has arrived, let's go, we're going to our place."

  I glanced at Dongfang Yonghao who was still standing in his original position and smiled, saying: "Brother Dongfang, the car has arrived. It's time to go."

  Dongfang Yonghao finally looked at me for a moment, but still didn't say anything.

  Xia Lin whispered to me: "He was just scolded by Wang Mu, so he's unhappy. Don't mind him."

  I felt that Xia Lin was very different from before, and I couldn't help but take another look at her. Xia Lin immediately lowered her head and said in a low voice: "What are you staring at? Be careful or I'll hit you."

  As soon as she said this sentence, I immediately determined that it was still the original Xia Lin, only she didn't have the same disgust for me as before, so she became a bit more intimate with me, making me feel a little different.

  At this time, I suddenly didn't have the heart to tease her anymore, and silently followed her forward.

  Dongfang Yonghao was far behind, and it seemed like he wasn't even traveling with us. I knew he must have hated me to death at that moment, but there was no way to explain.

  I originally had some guilt, but at this time, my heart suddenly felt very lively, as if I had found the most precious thing I lost. I secretly took a surprise and called out in my heart: "Am I really a playboy again and like this Xia Lin?"

  I didn't dare to continue thinking, and unconsciously quickened my pace, wanting to leave here as soon as possible. But what I didn't expect was that when I suddenly sped up, Xia Lin in front of me didn't speed up, and I bumped into her all at once.

  Xia Lin let out a cry of surprise and was about to fall forward. I was startled, immediately came to my senses, and instinctively hugged Xia Lin with one arm. With a burst of strength from my legs, I leaped high into the air, holding her tight, as if we were flying, and drifted far away.

  Xia Lin's exclamation came to an abrupt end, replaced by Dongfang Yonghao's angry roar and another ear-piercingly familiar metallic scraping sound.

  I was suspended in mid-air, and when I turned my head to look back, all I saw was Dongfang Yonghao rushing towards us with a furious expression on his face. At that moment, he had almost reached the limit of his speed. In front of him, less than a meter away, a cloud of laughing gray dust still lingered, not yet fully dispersed.

  I suddenly realized something and also knew that Dongfang Yonghao was not coming for me. On the contrary, his target was actually the car that Xia Lin mentioned would come to pick us up.

  I hastily turned around and saw that in the car less than a hundred meters away from us, at some point, a black muzzle had protruded from the front passenger seat.

  The muzzle was aimed at me and Xialing, who were still in mid-air. I was shocked, the true energy inside my body ran like lightning, my figure flashed, and I actually changed direction in mid-air, and plunged towards the ground with Xialing.

  We didn't fall down, we smashed down. So our speed was fast enough that the bullets fired by the suddenly appearing enemy couldn't even touch our clothes.

  But in doing so, I, who had landed first, felt a tremendous force transmitted from my legs, causing me to bend my knees and kneel down violently.

  Next, the one who was about to fall was supported by me with great force and flew out diagonally two meters away, barely standing firm. Xia Lin was not injured, just frightened.

  I couldn't care about the intense pain spreading up my legs, and with a swift movement, I pounced on Xia Lin who was standing still beside me, immediately shielding her under my body. Xia Lin was knocked down by me and probably hurt a bit too, letting out a cry of pain.

  I didn't care about these, hugged her and rolled violently towards the one-person-hug scenic tree on one side. As long as we can roll to the back of that one-person-hug scenic tree, we will be temporarily safe.

  At this time, Dongfang Yonghao had already rushed to the vicinity of the car. A military knife that had somehow appeared in his hand was swung round and hacked towards the gunman.

  I didn't dare waste any more time, so I pulled her down behind another tree and then used force to pull her up, making her stand close behind the tree.

  At this time, I heard a gunshot that was almost inaudible due to the silencer, and a sharp metallic collision sound. The gunshot came from the enemy, while the metallic collision sound was caused by Dongfang Yonghao's military knife hitting the enemy's gun. I immediately peeked out to take a look, and saw that Dongfang Yonghao's face was covered in blood, but I didn't know if he was injured or not.

  I had a bad feeling in my heart, and was just about to rush over to help Dongfang Yonghao, when I heard a miserable cry coming from the car. The cry wasn't made by Dongfang Yonghao, but by someone inside the car. In an instant, I felt at ease, knowing that the blood on Dongfang Yonghao's body wasn't his own, but rather the enemy's after he had been wounded and it splattered onto him.

  I let out a slight sigh of relief, just about to ask Dongfang Yonghao about the situation on his side, when I saw the military knife in Dongfang Yonghao's hand flash and dance like lightning. Several mournful cries rang out at the same time, all coming from inside that car.

  I'm completely relieved now, it seems that the person who came to assassinate Xia Lin this time is not a master, and was solved by Dongfang Yonghao with just one knife.

  "Can...can you take your hand off?" A faint voice suddenly sounded in front of me.

  When I looked down, I was suddenly shocked. Because I suddenly realized that my hands were all pressed on Xiaolin's chest. I quickly withdrew my hands and hurriedly said: "Sorry, I..."

  Xia Lin's face was as red as if she had drunk too much wine. Then she whispered, "Don't tell anyone else."

  I nodded and didn't care if there were still enemies who would attack Xia Lin. I suddenly jumped to one side, as if I had been attacked.

  Xia Lin was startled by me, but immediately understood what I meant, and blushed, saying: "What are you doing? I didn't blame you..."

  At this time, Dongfang Yonghao had slowly walked towards us, his whole body covered in blood, looking like a god of killing, quite frightening.

  He walked directly in front of Sharleen and asked with concern: "Miss, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

  Xia Lin said in a low voice: "I'm fine, I just twisted my foot..."

  Dongfang Yonghao let out a sigh of relief and looked at me saying: "Thank you!"

  I smiled: "No need to be polite. Let's get out of here as soon as possible, the police will be coming soon, and there are a lot of people around."

  Dongfang Yonghao nodded and was about to reach out to help Xialing. Xialing let out a cry of surprise and subconsciously took a step back. Her foot seemed to be really injured, and with this one step back, she almost fell over.

  I saw Dongfang Yong's eyes darken, and I smiled and said: "Brother Dongfang, the bloodstains on your body..."

  Dongfang Yonghao suddenly said to me: "I'll leave that miss to you."

  I was taken aback, just about to refuse, when Xia Lin had already stretched out her hands towards me. I had no choice but to swing my backpack around to the front and turn around to piggyback her, then said to Dongfang Yonghao: "The safety of the road behind us is up to you now." My strength was sufficient, carrying her felt like there was no weight added at all.

  Dongfang Yonghao nodded silently, but a glimmer of sharpness flashed in his eyes, leaving me stunned.

  I took a deep breath, carried the injured Xialing on my back, and endured the pain in my legs. I unfolded my body technique and ran swiftly along the route Xialing had pointed out towards a relatively remote highway. As long as we made it to that highway, we would have a chance to hail a taxi, and then we could find our way to the place Xialing had mentioned.

  Our luck wasn't bad, because as soon as we got on the highway, we immediately saw a taxi parked by the side of the road. I was overjoyed and wanted to go over. Xia Lin said: "Be careful, why would this car be stopped in just this place? Be careful that the enemy has an ambush..."

  Before her words had fallen, I heard Dongfang Yonghao roar: "Quickly leave, there's an ambush!"

  Right after that, a dense barrage of gunfire came, and the place where I and Xia Lin were standing just now erupted in a cloud of smoke. If I hadn't heard Dongfang Yonghao's warning and unfolded my body to dodge at the first moment, I and Xia Lin might have already been shot into sieves by the enemy's bullets.

  I was shocked in my heart, knowing that now even a slight carelessness might lead to death without a place to bury one's body, so the true energy inside me was used up without reservation, and my body shape was as fast as lightning, blinking. In an instant, I ran out of hundreds of meters, leaving those ambushers and Dongfang Yonghao far behind.

  I felt a bit relieved at this time, and then said to Xia Lin behind me: "The enemy should have been shaken off by us, but I don't know how Dongfang Yonghao is doing."

  I didn't hear Xialing's response, but I felt a sticky liquid flowing over my hand. Without thinking, I knew something was wrong. I immediately stopped and put Xialing on the ground, turned around and saw that she was covered in blood, clearly injured. And at this time, Xialing had already fainted with her eyes tightly closed.