Chapter 108: The Argument

Dazed and disoriented, Yagyu heard Tang Xin’s voice and, by the light of the bedside lamp, finally made out her face. Slowly, he lowered his gun, leaned against the door, and sank to the floor.

Tang Xin, noticing Yagyu’s unusual behavior, hurried down from the bed and took the gun from his trembling hands. She then wrapped her arms around him as he sat on the floor and gently said, “No matter what happened, you’re home now. Everything’s going to be alright.”

Though unaware of what Yagyu had endured, Tang Xin knew his identity and saw the panic in his eyes as he held a gun. She immediately sensed that something grave had occurred.

Yagyu then slowly retrieved another gun from his waist and placed it on the floor. His voice trembled as he confessed, “I’ve killed someone.”

Tang Xin’s worried expression instantly shifted to one of disbelief. She stared at Yagyu with eyes wide in terror, unable to utter a word.

The two remained collapsed on the floor for a long time. After several attempts, Tang Xin finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, “Why did you kill someone? I’m scared.”

She clung tightly to Yagyu and asked again, “What will you do now? Run away—killing is a grave sin!”

Yagyu lowered his head, tears streaming down his face. Seeing her anxious expression, he held her tightly in return. Deep down, he was terrified and desperately needed someone to stay by his side—someone to think for him, to abandon everything else and just be there, even if doing nothing but guarding him.

Tang Xin looked at the exhausted Yagyu and, with great effort, lifted him onto the bed. She lay beside him, wrapping her arms around his back, soothing him to sleep as one would comfort a child.

Throughout the night, Yagyu was haunted by dreams of the three people he had killed. In his sleep, he would cry out, “Don’t come closer! I have a gun!”

Repeatedly waking in terror and muttering in his sleep, Tang Xin listened in fear, unable to rest herself. Yet each time he awoke restless, she held him tightly, whispering, “I’m here. It’s alright.”

Tang Xin had come home for two days during a break, hoping to surprise Yagyu, but the surprise had instead turned into a scare.

The next morning, at the hospital.

“You can’t leave yet. You still need to be observed. If anything happens later, we won’t be held responsible!” the attending physician insisted to Ren Xiadong, who was determined to be discharged.

Ren Xiadong jumped off the bed, shouting, “What’s wrong with me? Do I look sick to you? Is this hospital just out to bleed people dry?”

“We’re only looking out for your well-being,” the doctor replied calmly.

Losing patience, Ren Xiadong retorted sarcastically, “This place is a slaughterhouse disguised as a hospital!”

Standing nearby, Tian Yun, who was holding Ren Xiadong, urged, “Xiadong, listen to the doctor. Your health is the most important thing.”

“I’m fine,” Ren Xiadong insisted stubbornly, refusing to listen.

Tian Yun’s frustration showed as he said, “Fine! Keep going to your underground fights! What’s the difference between leaving early or late? You’ll be back regardless! Don’t bother with discharge paperwork—just come back tomorrow and stay. Saves time and trouble. Now go.”

Ren Xiadong wanted to leave because he was worried about Yagyu, but Tian Yun wouldn’t let him. Just then, Lao Jiu and Xiao Jia entered.

Thinking quickly, Ren Xiadong exchanged a knowing glance with Lao Jiu. Xiao Jia looked confused, not understanding Ren Xiadong’s intent, but Lao Jiu immediately caught on.

“Tian Yun, he hasn’t slept for a whole day. Maybe it’s best he rests here. We’ll take care of him,” Lao Jiu proposed.

Ren Xiadong nodded approvingly.

Tian Yun, though reluctant to leave Ren Xiadong, had an important class to attend. Seeing his hesitation, Ren Xiadong said, “Go on back to class. I’m not good at studying. If you fall behind because of me, who will teach our kids someday?”

Hearing this, Tian Yun smiled happily but said nothing. Turning to Lao Jiu and Xiao Jia, he instructed, “Keep a close watch on him. Don’t let him get discharged!”

“Mission accepted!” Lao Jiu stood at attention and saluted.

Once Tian Yun left, Ren Xiadong quickly got out of bed, changed clothes, and said, “I’m going to check on Yagyu. You two take care of your business.”

“What’s wrong with Yagyu? Did things go badly last night?” Lao Jiu asked with concern.

Not wanting Lao Jiu and Xiao Jia to know about Yagyu’s ordeal, Ren Xiadong brushed it off, “Nothing serious, everything went smoothly. I’m heading home now. You two go ahead.”

“I’m coming with you...” Lao Jiu began, but Ren Xiadong had already left the ward.

At home, Yagyu hurried upstairs and without hesitation pushed open his room door. Tang Xin lay in bed, clutching him. Hearing the door slam, she sat up in fright, her eyes wide with terror, fearing someone had come to take revenge on Yagyu.

“Sorry to disturb you,” Ren Xiadong said as he backed out.

Back in the living room, Ren Xiadong lit a cigarette. Soon, Tang Xin followed and asked, “What exactly happened?”

Ren Xiadong took a deep drag and related everything—the underground fighting and Yagyu’s gun-snatching escapade the previous night.

“What are you two trying to do?” Tang Xin asked helplessly, unable to accept the turn of events. In her mind, Yagyu and Ren Xiadong were innocent and pure, meant to enjoy their youth, not driven to murder.

She continued, distraught, “Why do you need guns? Isn’t a simple, wealthy life enough?”

“Because it’s too ordinary,” Ren Xiadong said calmly. “Yagyu doesn’t want to live under someone else’s shadow; he wants to stand above everyone.”

At that moment, Yagyu came out, phone pressed to his ear, lighting a cigarette.

It was Jin, the butler, calling.

“Yagyu, yesterday’s problems are settled. The owner you tied up at the fighting ring—I’ve taken care of him.”

“Thank you, Master Jin. You’ve been a great help.”

“Don’t carry a burden. You’ll get used to this soon. We all went through it.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Yagyu said, unsure what else to say.

“You need to pull yourself together. Now that you’re in this fight, you have to make a difference. Master Hu still has high hopes for you.”

“How do you know?” Yagyu wondered. His involvement with Hu Yingqi should have been a secret, yet Jin spoke as if certain.

“Nothing escapes Master Hu’s notice. I won’t keep you. Do what you must—we all look forward to seeing you rise as the dark horse.”

After hanging up, Yagyu felt less frightened, his nerves less taut than before. Yet, having taken a life, unease lingered in his heart.

“Master Jin handled everything. It’s all fine now,” Yagyu told the two.

Tang Xin’s tense heart relaxed. Composing herself, she said, “Good. I have to return to the film set soon. Yagyu, take good care of yourself while I’m away.”

“Don’t go!” Yagyu said firmly.

His objection stemmed from worries stirred by recent news about Tang Xin—dinners with various men, visits to entertainment venues with different companions.

“Why? Isn’t it all for making money?” Tang Xin coaxed softly.

Yagyu had never paid much attention to Xiaoya and Liu Meng, always absorbed in his own pursuits. They often hinted they wanted more care from him, feeling neglected and invisible.

Now, because of past lessons, Yagyu kept a close watch on Tang Xin. Seeing headlines about her dining companions, his mind raced.

Coldly, he said, “I’m a man. I can’t stand it. Isn’t my money enough for you? Why do you have to go so hard out there?”

“I just want to work and earn my own money. You have more than enough for me, but I still want to succeed on my own. Honestly, I don’t really like this job—too many social obligations and so little control. But it pays well,” Tang Xin said, her voice tinged with irritation.

Seeing Tang Xin’s defiance, Yagyu’s worry flared, and he said sharply, “I know you’re going to dine with other men. Who knows what really happens!”

“What do you mean? It’s just work! I’ve done nothing wrong! It’s all the media’s lies!” Tang Xin snapped, angered.

Yagyu quickly softened his tone, “Okay, okay, I lost control. If you want to keep working, I’ll find you a stable job. Money’s no issue—I’ll provide.”

He simply didn’t want Tang Xin exposed to the chaotic entertainment world. If things continued as they were, they’d drift apart. His concern came from care and fear.

Concern for Tang Xin’s safety, fear she’d be hurt or betrayed. Yagyu lacked confidence in himself after losing two people before. He saw himself as the problem and now held Tang Xin tightly.

“I just want to earn and spend my own money. The most I’ll promise is to try not to dine with other men anymore,” Tang Xin said, leaving before Yagyu could reply.

Yagyu turned to Ren Xiadong, “Did I go too far?”

Ren Xiadong smiled and said, “I won’t comment. You’ll find a way to make it work.”

“Maybe I’m just overthinking. As long as she doesn’t get too close to other men, it should be fine. It’s rare to see her even once a month, and when I finally do, I scare her away,” Yagyu muttered.

He pulled out his phone and sent Tang Xin a message: “Sorry, I was a bit unstable today.”

Returning to his room, Yagyu retrieved the two pistols and tossed one to Ren Xiadong. “We have the guns, but not many bullets. I have a plan, though.”

He called his private firearms instructor.

“Coach, I need bullets. Can you help?”

“That’s tough. Our ammo is limited.”

“Tough or not, it has to be done. Name your price, and I’ll pay.”

“Alright. I can’t help with guns, but I’ll see what I can do about bullets. Come by tonight.”

Yagyu hung up, sent the ammo specifications, and awaited pickup.

With nothing pressing, Yagyu fiddled with the pistols, while Ren Xiadong excitedly toyed with his, staring ahead, imagining the thrill of battle.

Watching Ren Xiadong’s enthusiasm, Yagyu asked, “Have you ever thought about what it would feel like to kill someone?”

Ren Xiadong slowly set the gun down and replied, “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll find out when the time comes. You’re fine now, aren’t you?”

At that moment, Ren Xiadong’s phone rang. He answered to the angry voice of Tian Yun, loud and insistent.

“Where have you been? I came to see you right after class, and you ran off! Get back here and take your medicine immediately!”