Chapter 223: Don’t Die

Chapter 223: Don’t Die

For the next thirty minutes, Gao Yang chatted with Xia Li a little more, keeping the conversation centered around her hobby. Then they exchanged numbers and agreed to go to an escape room or a murder mystery game together next time.

Of course, Gao Yang promised to go with her in the summer after his college entrance exams, giving himself time to back out of it.

When the morning came, Xia Li drove back home, while Gao Yang headed to school—since they weren’t heading in the same direction, they parted ways swiftly.

Gao Yang was going to get a taxi, but none could be found in the area. Since it was still early, and there was a bus station nearby, he ended up catching the first bus in the morning.

It hadn’t been long since dawn broke, and the road was almost empty, allowing the bus to speed along.

Sitting in the very back, Gao Yang looked out the window at the quickly passing street view, quietly steeped in his own thoughts.

It didn’t take long for the bus to reach the Daxu District and rush past the Millennium Tower. The familiar sight made Gao Yang feel a pang of melancholy about his changed circumstances despite the scenery staying the same.

He did miss his companions back at the Twelve Zodiac Signs, but he had met new people after joining the Qilin Guild, and they had built a strong bond after going through near-death experiences together.

What should he do if he had to choose between the two in the future?

That’s a naive way of looking at things.

Gao Yang wasn’t the kind to be blindly loyal to anyone. Be it Dragon or Qilin, if their dreams—or ambition might be the better word for it—turned out to be at odds with his, he wasn’t going to keep following them.

And the companions he had met in the two organizations would each have their own circumstances and pursuit. Whether they could keep going down the same path and fight shoulder to shoulder depended on many factors outside the faction they belonged to.

Very few people can walk alongside you your whole life.

Gao Yang was suddenly reminded of the saying he heard before, and it rang true to him.

The scenery outside continued to whip past the bus windows, and at some point, the bus reached Songstress’ flower shop.

Gao Yang was jerked back to reality.

Songstress opened shop early this morning. Dressed in an elegant and bright dress and a gardening apron, she was watering the flowers outside the shop with a sprinkling can.

Gao Yang looked at her, and a sudden thought compelled him to turn around, his gaze landing on the alleyway across from the flower shop.

A man disappeared into it.

Gao Yang jumped, but when he was going to look for the figure again, the bus had already driven away.

Had he seen it wrong? No.

Could it be Ghost Horse?

Very likely.

If so, this would at least be his second time showing up here.

Ghost Horse and Songstress’s relationship must run deeper than what was known. They could be a secret couple who had been very much in love.

After Ghost Horse was exposed and swiftly dealt with by Dragon, he was resurrected, and the only one he couldn’t let go of was Songstress. He missed her, but he didn’t dare go to her. Thus, he watched her from afar to quell his yearning.

Of course, there was another possibility: Songstress had been turned and become Ghost Horse’s informant. Ghost Horse could very well be talking to her through Telepathy, which allowed him to communicate through brainwaves, only with a range limit.

“Is something wrong?” Gao Yang walked up to her.

She didn’t answer.

After a pause, Gao Yang realized, “Little Qing Ling?”

She nodded.

And that explained things. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go to the lab building, but that she couldn’t climb up and into the lab as a regular person.

“It’s been a while.” Gao Yang smiled.

“Put away your stupid grin.” Qing Ling gave him an irritated look, but her softened tone betrayed her feelings. “I’m here to talk about something important.”

“Go on.”

“I heard that you almost died at the Eleventh High School.”

“Honestly, things did get quite dangerous,” Gao Yang admitted. “But don’t worry. I’m still alive, ain’t I?”

Qing Ling nodded. “Sister has been worried since she heard about it.”

Gao Yang wasn’t sure what to say.

“That led to her getting distracted, which affected her training. She even got scolded by Teacher War Tiger. Since last night, she has been fuming and wouldn’t talk to me. She’s stubborn.”

Gao Yang opened his mouth and closed it.

Qing Ling handed Gao Yang a black button. “So I made the decision to give you this.”

Gao Yang took it and examined it. “What’s this?”

“A SOS alarm recently developed by the organization. It’s single-use.” Qing Ling pointed at her collars. The first button had been replaced with a deep green one. It wasn’t noticeable unless one was looking closely.

“Put it on your clothes or sleeves. It’s up to you. Crush it when you run into dangers.”

“Then?” Gao Yang was curious.

“Then the organization will locate you and send those nearby to help you.”

Gao Yang smiled and gave it back to her. “I appreciate the thought, but...”

“Keep it!” Qing Ling insisted. Without waiting for Gao Yang’s response, she grabbed the button and then Gao Yang’s hand to pin it to his sleeve.

“Qing Ling, I’m now a member of the Qilin Guild...”

“I know. But this is nothing but a simple button until you crush it. It won’t track you or expose you.”

She took a step back and looked up at Gao Yang. “Keep it on. It’s up to you if you wanna use it.”

Gao Yang stared at the button on his sleeve, a myriad of feelings warring in his head.

“Gao Yang, there aren’t many things that my sister values.”

Wind tousled her long hair. Her gaze on him was serious and caring. “Don’t you dare die.”

Gao Yang’s chest tightened, and he felt a prickle in his nose.

“Okay.” he nodded. “You and your sister too.”