Chapter 32: I Belong to Hongxing!

Will you die if you don't talk? If you can’t speak properly, then just keep your mouth shut. What do you mean, your wife ran off with someone else? It’s your wife who ran off, not mine... Wait, you don’t even have a wife... Damn, what a waste of a retort! Well, then, your whole family ran off!

As Yang Hao was stewing in his resentment, a sudden flash of insight struck him—how did Zhang Tian know that Lin Zijin had left him at the altar before the engagement? He hadn't realized it at first, but the more Yang Hao thought about it, the more something felt off. Given their relationship, there was no way such a major event as an engagement to Lin Zijin would have passed without Zhang Tian being informed. But after Lin Zijin ran away on her own, both families immediately locked down the news and simultaneously announced to the public that the engagement ceremony was postponed.

No matter the reason, a bride fleeing before the engagement is never a good look, so after both families sealed the news, Yang Hao never spoke of it, not even to Zhang Tian and the others. It wasn’t that he considered them outsiders, but rather, he was afraid of what these guys would do if they found out. After all, Yang Hao had pulled plenty of tricks on them in the past. If they learned of this now, wouldn’t they leap at the chance for payback?

So, only the two families knew the truth. Where did Zhang Tian get his information?

For a moment, Yang Hao was full of doubts.

But, since Zhang Tian already knew about it, Yang Hao couldn’t be bothered to dig into it further. After all, Zhang Tian wasn’t really an outsider—at worst, he’d just have to pay back the debts he owed from before.

Serves me right for asking for trouble! If I’d known things would end up like this, I wouldn’t have been so ruthless with them back in school. Thinking about it now, Yang Hao actually felt a twinge of regret.

At noon, Yang Hao cooked personally, making a bowl of noodles for Zhang Tian. While Zhang Tian was eating, Yang Hao made no attempt to hide his intentions—he went straight into the kitchen to prepare a special lunch for Lin Zijin.

As the aroma wafted from the kitchen, Zhang Tian, who had been enjoying his noodles, suddenly felt like life was unfair. If you’re already in the kitchen making delicious food, couldn’t you make an extra portion for me? Why stick me with just noodles? Though Yang Hao’s noodles weren’t bad, compared to the fresh dishes coming out of the kitchen, they were worlds apart.

Even knowing the food was for Lin Zijin, Zhang Tian still couldn’t help but feel a bit slighted. Was it really okay to treat a guest from afar like this? Was a bowl of noodles all he was worth? Even from a distance, he could smell the “dog food” in the air—it was enough to make him dizzy.

Zhang Tian knew all about Yang Hao’s temperament, so he could only watch gloomily as Yang Hao happily trotted next door to deliver the meal, while he was left with a bowl of egg noodles with not even a shred of meat. In Zhang Tian’s eyes, Yang Hao was the ultimate henpecked husband! Yet, he couldn’t help but admire him for it.

How many people in the world could do what Yang Hao did? Maybe, to some, it seemed a little lacking in manliness, maybe even shameful. If anyone said something like that in front of Zhang Tian, he wouldn’t need Yang Hao to defend himself—he’d spit right in their face.

Was manliness given to you so you could show off in front of women? Zhang Tian scoffed at the idea! Sometimes, you don’t need many reasons to love someone; you’d willingly give them everything you have, even if others don’t understand.

But so what? Who cares? Let people say what they want—what business is it of theirs? And who cares about “there are plenty of fish in the sea, why pine for just one flower”? If it’s just a weed, would you want it? Aren’t you afraid it’ll turn your life green?

Everyone has their own pursuits, their own choice of a lifelong love. Sometimes, Zhang Tian was truly envious of Yang Hao.

At least he had someone worth giving everything to.

Of course, if Yang Hao were here, he’d probably ask: “So that’s why you’re still single?”

Not long after, Yang Hao returned, a faint look of satisfaction on his face. Sometimes, happiness is that simple—making her favorite dish for the one you love the most.

After delivering the meal, Yang Hao returned to the kitchen, scooped up a bowl of noodles for himself, and ate contentedly. As he ate, he glanced at Zhang Tian. “Want more? There’s still some in the pot. Bet you’ve never had noodles this delicious before—almost moved you to tears, right?”

If Zhang Tian hadn’t seen the dishes Yang Hao prepared for Lin Zijin and the others, he might have let it slide. But not only did he see, Yang Hao had flaunted it in front of him before leaving, as if afraid he’d miss the show.

At that moment, Zhang Tian just wanted to silently give Yang Hao the finger.

Facing Yang Hao, spring blossoms everywhere!

After finishing his meal, Yang Hao quickly tidied up the kitchen. Then, the two of them sat in the living room, not really knowing what to do next. Two grown men, no matter how long it had been since they’d seen each other, simply didn’t have that many secrets to share—the important things had all been said long ago.

Just as Zhang Tian was about to take his leave, a phone rang.

Zhang Tian picked up his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and suddenly broke into a smile.

“It’s your brother!”

He called out as he handed the phone over.

Yang Hao was an only child. Knowing his father’s personality, it was unlikely any mysterious half-brothers existed out there. The only “brother” that came to mind was that kid...

Sure enough! When Yang Hao saw the name on the screen, he couldn’t help but feel an ache in his teeth.

So that’s how Zhang Tian knew where to find him—he’d been sold out by that little traitor!

Yang Yu. His cousin, the son of his second uncle. Not exactly the most reliable cousin.

“Hello, Brother Tian? Have you seen my cousin? Come quick and help me out, I’m being bullied!”

As soon as the call connected, an urgent voice burst through the speaker.

Yang Hao’s face darkened instantly.

It’s you, it’s you, YOU betrayed me! After everything I’ve done for you over the years... Back then when you were sick, you...

Ahem! Back to the point: Yang Yu sounded genuinely anxious, so Yang Hao didn’t bother holding a grudge. He frowned and asked, “What happened?”

“Cousin?”

The voice on the other end seemed to recognize Yang Hao and fell silent in embarrassment, only the sound of breathing coming through.

“Speak!”

Yang Hao prompted again.

“Uh, we got trashed. Requesting backup! Repeating, requesting backup! I’m at...” Yang Yu rattled off an address and hung up in a hurry, leaving Yang Hao speechless.

“Let’s go. We’ve got nothing else to do—might as well check it out.”

Seeing Yang Hao’s exasperated expression, Zhang Tian chuckled.

No need to guess—Yang Yu must have gotten himself into trouble and now needed someone to bail him out, dragging Zhang Tian along as backup.

Calling in the grown-ups was always Yang Yu’s favorite move! Of course, by “grown-ups,” he didn’t mean his actual parents, but Zhang Tian and the others, who also lived in Tianhai City.

If his second uncle found out, would he even leave Yang Yu’s backside intact?

Thanks to Yang Hao, Yang Yu and Zhang Tian had a close relationship, which was probably why Yang Yu “leaked” the information to Zhang Tian.

...

Tianyu Internet Café.

Zhang Tian drove over, quickly arriving at the café Yang Yu had mentioned. Even before the car had stopped, Yang Hao saw Yang Yu running over with a goofy grin.

“Brother Tian! Cousin!”

A young man who somewhat resembled Yang Hao, though obviously younger, dashed up. He was wearing the Tianhai University Affiliated High School uniform—this could only be Yang Yu.

“Hello, Brother Tian!”

As Yang Hao and Zhang Tian got out of the car, a ponytailed girl in a school uniform greeted Zhang Tian at the door. She clearly knew Zhang Tian but not Yang Hao, and looked unsure how to address him as he approached.

Seeing this, Zhang Tian gave Yang Hao a knowing look, then glanced at Yang Yu, clearly not planning to intervene.

No need to ask—the blush on the girl’s face told Yang Hao all he needed to know.

So young, already dating? Heh, if his second uncle found out...

The thought made Yang Hao chuckle.

Hearing his cousin’s laugh, Yang Yu shivered inwardly, knowing Yang Hao must be cooking up something wicked.

“Cousin! This is Su Xiaohan, my... my girlfriend!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Yang Yu finally summoned the courage to say it. Having said it, he seemed to relax, even boldly holding the ponytailed girl’s hand in front of Yang Hao.

The girl, Su Xiaohan, resisted slightly but didn’t really pull away, a shy blush coloring her cheeks.

Seeing this, Yang Hao decided not to tease the girl.

“Hello, I’m Yang Hao, Yang Yu’s cousin.”

“Hello, Brother Yang,” she replied, lifting her head with a touch of shyness, seemingly encouraged by Yang Yu.

Yang Hao nodded in reply, making no move to embarrass her. It was clear Su Xiaohan was a well-behaved girl. Since she was willing, Yang Hao didn’t care to interfere—he’d leave that for his second uncle to worry about.

Yang Yu led the way inside, explaining what had happened. The whole thing was fairly simple: Yang Yu had challenged another class to a game of “Absolute Survival,” but after losing, the other side refused to accept defeat and brought in some experts to beat Yang Yu and his friends. Upset, Yang Yu called Zhang Tian for help. The rest was obvious.

Normally, Yang Hao wouldn’t have bothered with such childish disputes, but this was his cousin—he couldn’t just stand by.

“Taro!”

As they entered the café and rounded a corner into the first-floor lobby, someone called out to Yang Yu.

“Taro” was Yang Yu’s nickname. Clearly, the shout was meant for him.

“Brother Tian!”

Yang Hao soon noticed a group of high schoolers around Yang Yu’s age—his classmates, no doubt. When they saw Zhang Tian, they perked up in excitement. Clearly, they knew him too.

No need to ask—Zhang Tian must have helped Yang Yu with similar situations before.

“Well, well, who are you guys? Where are you from?” As Yang Hao and Zhang Tian approached, a cocky voice rang out. Yang Hao turned and saw a group of boys in school uniforms swaggering toward them.

Hearing the question and seeing the disdainful expression on the speaker’s face, Yang Hao paused, then clasped his fists in mock salute.

“I’m from Hongxing!”

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PS: Seeing the chapter title, does it remind anyone of something? To the reader in the reviews asking about that kitchen knife, do you still want it? And the Axe Gang member—are you still around? If you are, give a shout!