Chapter 219: 219, Li Shentan's gift

After entering the courtyard, Xiao Yu Jie circled around Ren Xiaosu, taking in his appearance. She had intended to say something about how thin he had become, but upon closer inspection, she realized he seemed to have gained a bit of weight...

She led Ren Xiaosu into the courtyard and said, "I've prepared a lot of delicious food for you, and each of you has a new set of clothes for the New Year. Now that the weather is cold, you should replace your cotton quilts with thicker ones. You don't need to worry too much about home—we lack nothing..."

Ren Xiaosu followed behind her, smiling silently. In truth, Xiao Yu Jie was the softest of the family, though she rarely made much of an impression in daily life. Yet without her, the home would lose a measure of warmth.

Ren Xiaosu asked, "Has anything happened at home lately? Has anyone caused trouble?"

This time, he had returned with the intention of resolving any difficulties that might have befallen Yan Liyuan and the others before departing.

"Nothing too serious," Xiao Yu Jie explained. "The town has been in chaos lately, and the soldiers from the consortium have eyes like wolves. So we rarely go out—Old Wang handles all the errands. This way, we avoid attracting unwanted attention."

"Indeed, there's no other choice," Ren Xiaosu mused, noting their heightened vigilance. He turned to the female students beside him and said, "Take a lesson from Xiao Yu Jie. In the coming days, I'll have a knife assigned to each of you for protection. If anyone harasses you, stab them with it."

One of the female students hesitated and said, "We are girls..."

Ren Xiaosu paused, then replied, "Then have Old Wang paint the knives pink for you."

The student froze for a moment before suddenly laughing. "Yes, class leader."

At that moment, a knock echoed from outside. Xiao Yu Jie muttered, "Who would come at this hour?"

She approached the door and opened it, only to hear a clear, clean male voice call out, "Hello, I'm looking for Ren Xiaosu."

Ren Xiaosu spun around, his expression shifting. Few people could find him here at this hour—and yet, he recognized that voice intimately.

Li Shengtan!

Li Shengtan stood at the doorway in a crisp Li family military uniform. Ren Xiaosu hesitated, but Li Shengtan spoke first with a smile, "What, don't you welcome me?"

"Please come in," Ren Xiaosu said, gesturing for Xiao Yu Jie to step aside. He then whispered to the others, "All of you go inside."

By now, everyone sensed something amiss—this was an unwelcome guest. Fortunately, Old Wang and Li Qing were outside procuring supplies; otherwise, Ren Xiaosu would have struggled to send Li Qing away.

Li Shengtan wandered into the courtyard, surveying the surroundings curiously. He settled onto a stone bench and said, "This place truly feels warm, doesn't it? It has the atmosphere of a home."

Ren Xiaosu glanced at his military attire. "How did you know I was here?"

"Ah," Li Shengtan said, as if recalling something. "I hypnotized the neighbors. I told them that if a stranger entered the courtyard, they should inform me."

Li Shengtan spoke of hypnosis without the slightest hesitation. Ren Xiaosu frowned. "Don't you think that's inappropriate?"

"Abilities are meant to be used," Li Shengtan replied with a smile. "I haven't interfered with their normal lives, have I?"

At that moment, Li Shengtan seemed like a handsome neighbor, a young man in uniform full of promise. Yet none could fathom the devastation he had wrought within the 109 Stronghold.

"What do you want with me?" Ren Xiaosu asked, eyeing him.

Xiao Yu Jie emerged from the house then, placing a teapot and two cups on the stone table. Li Shengtan smiled warmly. "Thank you, Xiao Yu Jie."

"I warn you not to hypnotize anyone close to me," Ren Xiaosu said, his expression grim.

"Of course not," Li Shengtan said, lifting his teacup. "We're friends, aren't we? How could I use hypnosis on a friend's people?"

He cradled the warm cup in his hands, its white steam curling gently into the air. The courtyard felt unusually harmonious and serene.

"I heard you went to a distant outpost. How have you been lately?" Li Shengtan asked with a smile, his tone as if they were old companions.

"Not bad, I suppose," Ren Xiaosu replied nonchalantly.

The next moment, Li Shengtan said, "I heard two junior Nano Warriors went missing there—both from the Li family's direct line. When I checked the outpost's roster and saw your name, I knew it had to be you."

Ren Xiaosu furrowed his brow but remained silent. Between intelligent people, there was no need for lengthy explanations. Suspicion between them required no proof; he simply wanted to know Li Shengtan's intentions.

Li Shengtan continued, "After parting at the 109 Stronghold, I thought we wouldn't meet again for years. Yet here we are, so soon. I also heard that a wolf pack attacked the neighboring outpost, and another junior Nano Warrior went missing. No doubt that was your doing as well. You command people, I command wolves—we truly are kindred spirits."

Ren Xiaosu chuckled. "Why not just say what you're after instead of dancing around the issue?"

He knew defending himself was futile. The other's assumptions were logical, and if the Li family learned of another extraordinary danger lurking there, they would naturally focus their attention on him.

For instance, perhaps he had uncovered something.

Yet Li Shengtan suddenly grew serious. "You might still misunderstand. I came today purely to catch up with an old friend. After all, I have so few of them."

Ren Xiaosu asked curiously, "Why do you always act as if I'm your friend?"

Li Shengtan smiled. "Because seeing you always feels so familiar."

"Very well," Ren Xiaosu changed the subject. "Why are you in uniform?"

"I'm now an active soldier of the Li Consortium," Li Shengtan said, examining his attire. "It fits quite well. Our Fourth Brigade will march to the front lines of the 109 Stronghold tomorrow. There are still many test subjects there."

Ren Xiaosu had assumed that after the Li family deployed heavy firepower, the test subjects would be beyond salvation. But Li Shengtan's arrival had introduced a massive variable into the conflict.

He even suspected that the Li military forces heading back to the 109 Stronghold would be annihilated.

Li Shengtan's goal had never been a single stronghold—it was the entire Li family.

He would not hesitate to drag everyone down with him.

Ren Xiaosu sighed inwardly. The Li family had been right to lock this one away in a mental hospital; compared to Chen Wudi, he was almost human.

Li Shengtan rose and walked toward the door. "Here we meet by chance, and here we part. This time, our farewell may last far longer. Take care of yourself. Those who have coveted your women here will take their own lives after you leave the town. You needn't worry about them—it's a small gift from me. Please accept it with a smile."