Chapter Fifty-Two: Enmity Formed

Chapter Fifty-Two: Making Enemies

To say the burly man moved quickly would be an understatement; for someone of his size, it was almost unnatural how, in the blink of an eye, he managed to seize Wang Yuyan. The sudden turn of events startled Liu Shaoyu, who immediately blamed himself for being careless.

“I’ll return those words to you,” Liu Shaoyu replied coldly, a trace of a wicked smile appearing on his lips.

Those who knew Liu Shaoyu well understood that this smile didn’t mean he was truly happy—it meant only one thing: someone was about to meet a grim fate.

The burly man was still reveling in his own cleverness, but in the next second, a dark shadow lunged at him. At the same time, the Monkey, who had been standing by, swiftly knocked the other two men to the ground.

Liu Shaoyu sprang into action, grabbing hold of the arm restraining Wang Yuyan, twisting it, and subduing the man in an instant. The situation reversed so abruptly that everything was turned on its head in a flash.

“Remember this: there are some people you simply can’t afford to provoke,” Liu Shaoyu said from above, looking down at his captive. Dealing with thugs like these was so effortless for him, he didn’t even break a sweat.

The burly man, now subdued, realized he’d run into real trouble. Still, he was a tough one; even in crisis, he kept a straight face and shouted, “Spare me, hero!”

Liu Shaoyu could only sigh inwardly. He knew the type—ruffians like this, if you showed them mercy, they’d turn around and stab you the next moment. So, he hardened his heart and gave a little twist.

A howl of pain erupted. The burly man lost all feeling in his arm.

“You… you’re dead!” the man spat, even now unable to grasp the reality of his situation. Liu Shaoyu couldn’t help but sigh at his obliviousness—issuing threats under such circumstances, not even bothering to assess the situation.

Having no more interest in the incapacitated brute, Liu Shaoyu turned to Wang Yuyan and asked gently, “Are you alright?”

Though Wang Yuyan had been startled when she was first seized, she quickly regained her composure. Judging by her calm demeanor, it seemed she would have found a way to break free even if Liu Shaoyu hadn’t intervened—after all, she was not someone to be trifled with.

“I’m fine, thank you,” Wang Yuyan replied with a faint, graceful smile, brushing an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

After such a commotion, Liu Shaoyu lost his appetite. He thought it best to leave as quickly as possible—who knew if these thugs had backup, or if the security forces would soon arrive.

Once he confirmed Wang Yuyan was unharmed, the three of them quietly slipped out of the restaurant.

Back at Liu Shaoyu’s temporary lodgings, Wang Yuyan decided not to return to her own quarters, sensing that something was amiss. She chose instead to accompany Liu Shaoyu for the time being.

“Monkey, go check on Ru Yuan,” Liu Shaoyu said, winking at the Monkey.

Monkey caught on instantly. “Got it!” he replied, winking back before darting out the door.

“Have a seat,” Liu Shaoyu offered, gesturing for Wang Yuyan to sit. He was curious why she was here.

“Why are you here?” they both asked at the same time, then shared a smile.

“I’m here looking for someone,” Liu Shaoyu answered first, following the old adage of ladies first since Wang Yuyan had asked.

“And you?” he inquired.

“I’m here for the same reason,” Wang Yuyan replied with her usual melodious voice, her smile as enchanting as ever. It had been over a year since they last met, and though their reunion was under such circumstances, it felt as if they’d only parted yesterday—the familiarity between them remained.

Just now…?” Liu Shaoyu hesitated, uncertain of Wang Yuyan’s relationship with the man from earlier, so he treaded carefully.

“Huang Xuan, that scoundrel—I’ll make him pay when I get back!” Wang Yuyan exclaimed. She was no fool; it only took a moment to piece together what had happened.

So that bastard’s name is Huang Xuan, Liu Shaoyu realized.

“Sneaky eyes, greasy hair, and a slick face—you can tell just by looking he’s no good,” Liu Shaoyu pronounced, already passing judgment on the man.

His words made Wang Yuyan laugh. “What, do you two have a grudge?” she teased.

Her question left Liu Shaoyu a bit embarrassed. “No, no, nothing like that—I just can’t stand guys who abandon a lady to save themselves,” he hurried to explain. He wasn’t sure what their relationship was. The last time he saw Wang Yuyan, Huang Xuan had come to pick her up, so clearly they knew each other; he couldn’t make any assumptions.

“He’s the captain of another fleet—our fleets get along… well enough,” Wang Yuyan explained, her tone both explanatory and evasive.

With that, Liu Shaoyu didn’t press further. She hadn’t asked him for help, and their relationship wasn’t quite close enough for him to offer unsolicited aid.

“I’ll be around for a while—if you need anything, just reach out,” Liu Shaoyu said.

They chatted idly for a few minutes about recent events, but since both had other matters to attend to, they soon parted ways.

As for Wang Yuyan, Liu Shaoyu wasn’t sure what he felt anymore. He reminded himself he was here to find Shen Qingyi—it was best not to get embroiled in other affairs.

Feeling oddly dejected, Liu Shaoyu lit a cigarette after seeing Wang Yuyan off, standing by the window and gazing outside as he waited for Long Ruyuan and Monkey to return.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, someone was grinding his teeth in rage.

“That brat ruined my plans!” he snarled.

It was none other than our scoundrel, Huang Xuan.

“Go find out why he’s here,” Huang Xuan ordered quietly.

“Yes, young master,” came a voice from the shadows.

A glint of cold light flashed in Huang Xuan’s eyes.

“I’ll make sure you learn what it means to cross me,” he spat, smashing his glass to the floor.

The shards reflected his twisted, ferocious face.

Unaware of all this, Liu Shaoyu waited until Long Ruyuan and Monkey returned.

“How did it go?”

“We followed him to what’s probably their hideout. The guy was very cautious, took a lot of detours,” Long Ruyuan reported, pouring himself a glass of water.

“Oh? That cautious? Did he spot you?” Liu Shaoyu raised an eyebrow.

Long Ruyuan flashed a confident grin. “He’d collapse from exhaustion before that happened.”

This made both Monkey and Liu Shaoyu laugh—not to mock, but because if anyone could tail a mark unnoticed, it was Long Ruyuan.

“But we might need to find a new place to stay. Seems someone’s looking into us,” Long Ruyuan added.

It wasn’t that they were so remarkable they’d instantly deduced Huang Xuan’s investigation; it was just that they’d had a run-in with the local thugs earlier. Their boss had been beaten, and now word was out—they were being hunted. It was more annoying than frightening, but it was trouble all the same. With that in mind, Liu Shaoyu nodded, and they began packing to move.

They’d only come here for a brief rest and to resupply—something easily done at the space station. Liu Shaoyu decided to return to the ship, where the supplies he’d ordered would be ready by the next day. It was time to properly set out into the Desolate Starfield—he had no interest in unnecessary complications.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Just because Liu Shaoyu wanted to avoid trouble didn’t mean others would let him.

A note to readers:
Before going to bed, I saw we’ve hit over forty votes, so that’s the base chapter, plus two more! I’ll push myself to write: first chapter at nine, second at three in the afternoon, third at nine in the evening, and if they’re long, another at one in the morning! Please, shower me with votes and favorites!