You're sending max-level players to be cannon fodder?

Qi Tian's entire body seemed to be connected to Zhong Xun, and as Zhong Xun approached, his expression grew increasingly grim.

Qi Tian never expected that, more than a decade later, the inferiority complex, jealousy, and uncontrollable envy he felt when they first met would resurface unexpectedly, just as he thought Zhong Xun would live a life of madness and despair under his shadow.

It had almost reached the point of being uncontrollable.

Qi Tian's face turned red with anger, and he gripped Yu Zhouci's arm tightly.

But Zhong Xun didn't look to the side, only casting a detached glance at him as they passed each other.

Even Qi Tian's reflection couldn't be seen in his pupils.

He seemed no different from the other ornaments beside him.

How dare you...

Qi Tian thought to himself.

Yu Zhouci was also stunned; Zhong Xun's glance just now had included him as well.

Yu Zhouci's arrogance and confidence were so easily trampled underfoot by Zhong Xun. A nerve in Yu Zhouci's heart was suddenly struck, causing him to shudder. His face instantly darkened as he turned to look at Zhong Xun: "You..."

"Get lost!" Meng Jingting's pheromones bombarded him powerfully, and the two groups of bodyguards instantly became as fragile as paper.

If Zhong Xun's indifference made them both resentful, then Meng Jingting's protection wiped away their impulsiveness.

  

Meng Jingting followed behind Zhong Xun. Outside, a light snow began to fall. He took the umbrella from the waiter and opened it to shield Zhong Xun's head.

The two figures quickly disappeared into the rain.

Qi Tian felt a tightness in his chest as he was battered by a torrent of complex emotions. He had always believed that the noble and handsome young master was dead, but at this moment, Qi Tian inexplicably thought: He's back!

Qi Tian's throat tightened; he was more concerned about something else. "Aci, aren't Zhong Xun and Jingting getting a divorce?"

Yu Zhouci, overwhelmed by the pheromones, was now in a foul mood, his tone revealing impatience: "Isn't it obvious? I'm not leaving!"

Qi Tian didn't say anything more.

Zhong Xun and Meng Jingting went straight home.

After entering the house, Zhong Xun went upstairs to change his clothes, while Meng Jing asked the aunt to cook a bowl of sweet soup.

It mainly consists of thoroughly cooked black beans, mixed with yellow rock sugar and a touch of osmanthus honey, resulting in a sweet and soothing flavor.

As soon as Zhong Xun came downstairs after changing his clothes, Meng Jingting, who was sitting on the sofa, immediately stood up.

Zhong Xun paused, realizing something.

Meng Jing took his words to heart.

"Young Master Zhong, the sweet soup is ready."

Zhong Xun was somewhat surprised. "Thank you for your help. I've been craving this."

"That's what the master instructed."

Zhong Xun glanced at Meng Jingting.

The hall quieted down, and Zhong Xun sat at the dining table. His aunt cooked a pot of food, and he scooped out a bowl and handed it to Meng Jingting.

"You don't need to take those words to heart," Zhong Xun said softly.

"I might have cared before, but I really don't care now." Zhong Xun knew Qi Heye's fate; his retribution was yet to come. "By the way, haven't the peace faction made any moves?"

Seeing that Zhong Xun showed no sign of distress, Meng Jing answered his question: "Well, the evidence is insufficient."

The leader of the pro-peace faction in Yandu is named Song Chu. He is over sixty years old, lean and capable, and often appears in various charity events. He has a very good reputation among the public and does things meticulously. Even if there are clues pointing to the pro-peace faction, there is no substantial evidence.

The other party holds a position in the alliance, and the Blue Star Building is also his property. He has solid connections in both politics and business, making a forced search virtually impossible.

Zhong Xun took a sip of the sweet soup, then suddenly remembered something. "Make sure you have all your time available for me tomorrow."

Meng Jing reacted quickly, thinking that squeezing in wasn't a bad idea, "Hmm."

Why not ask?

Meng Jingting remained silent for a moment, then said, "It's up to you."

Zhong Xun laughed and said, "Alright, I definitely won't let you waste it."

Meng Jing thought to himself, "What kind of waste is this?"

Before going to bed, Meng Jingting opened a webpage, and whenever Tan Que or Xie Wencheng were online, his eyes would pop out of their sockets. "Boss, you're actually looking at dating schedules? Is your phone infected with a virus?!"

however--

The next morning, at 7:00 AM sharp, Zhong Xun drove Meng Jingting off to Area B.

Yandu is divided into two areas, A and B.

They currently live in Area A, a place synonymous with peace and stability. Area B was originally intended for homeless people, but gradually, more and more outsiders moved there because they couldn't afford the high cost of living in Area A. Coupled with frequent petty theft, it became a place rife with chaos and violence.

With the moat as the dividing line, the foundation of Area B has sunk by about ten meters, so even during the day, it appears hazy and gray due to the dense buildings of Area A blocking the view.

Not to mention that almost all of the buildings in Block B are low-rise buildings. Even when they are expanded, they are no more than three stories high, like a raised mole on rough skin.

Each house has tiles piled on top of each other, and the layout can only be judged by the subtle undulations. There is a narrow path about three meters wide between the doors, the surface of which is worn black and has a sticky feel after being washed by rain.

Area B, like a tattered strip of cloth, extends to the western part of Yandu City.

Cars can't drive in. Zhong Xun and Meng Jingting came down the steps, and when they stood down, there was black moss growing at their feet.

At the entrance to this passageway, a woman on the second floor was hurriedly collecting her clothes. She glanced at them warily and then slammed the window shut.

Meng Jingting followed Zhong Xun's steps: "Where are you going?"

In truth, Judge Meng was heartbroken. All her planning from last night had been for nothing; there was no movie, no candlelight dinner, and she had no chance to buy a gift.

"The black market," Zhong Xun whispered.

In Zone B's black market, pearls are mixed with fakes; whether you can buy what you want depends entirely on your skill. You might even see all sorts of explicitly prohibited items.

Water dripped down the vertical groove in the middle of the tile. Zhong Xun kept walking, while Meng Jingting opened a pheromone barrier, causing the water droplets to temporarily change direction in the air.

At the end of the road, three or five unemployed people leaned against a shipping container, and looked at them with hostile eyes when they heard the noise.

The young man in the lead had a scar on his forehead, fierce eyes, and was skillfully handling a folding knife.

Two Alphas and three Betas, after scanning Zhong Xun and Meng Jingting, their eyes lit up with excitement, clearly having caught a big fish.

As soon as Zhong Xun approached, the scarred youth stepped aside and blocked his path.

Zhong Xun took off his watch and handed it to the other person.

There was a brief blank space on the scarred face.

He'd been doing this for two years, getting arrested by patrol officers every few days, getting beaten up as soon as he was taken in, and coming out bruised and battered. He'd rest for a bit and then go back to his old ways. That's just how things are in Block B.

These uneducated thugs couldn't even find work as waiters in Zone A. With pollution getting worse, they were just trying to survive one day at a time, knowing they might be needed as cannon fodder on the battlefield someday. Scarface had come to terms with everything, so he showed no mercy when he robbed.

Most people would panic or scream for help upon seeing them, but Scarface couldn't remember the last time he was this "sensible".