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墨書 Inktalez
The food served by the Terrorist was undoubtedly a delicacy, especially in this chaotic and tumultuous border known as the Star Domain. Jufeng had not indulged in such rich fare for quite some time. Of course, if it weren't for the need to portray his character more vividly, he wouldn't have eaten so heartily and with such abandon.
He was enjoying his meal, and Yang Fang was equally pleased to watch him.
As the saying goes, after a few rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, the banquet was nearing its end. Just before the curtain fell, the real showstopper of a dish was slowly brought out.
"Ju Feng, what do you think of Yang Ge?"
Yang Fang exchanged glances with a few trusted confidants before turning to the slightly tipsy Jufeng to pose this rather difficult question.
They had skillfully gotten Jufeng mildly intoxicated—not too drunk to babble nonsense, but just enough to make him feel more emotional and open for communication.
Jufeng chewed quickly and then smiled as he replied, "Yang Ge is testing me!"
With the slight buzz from the alcohol, Jufeng grabbed Yang Fang's hand and continued, "Yang Ge is truly a good person. Really. He treats his brothers well. I only helped Yang Ge a little, and he treats me like a brother in return. You see, Yang Ge is a real man!"
Seeing Jufeng getting a bit emotional, those seated around him felt secretly pleased and chimed in with their agreement.
However, Yang Fang’s sudden statement next left Jufeng momentarily stunned.
"Ju Feng, you can see Yang Ge like this; it makes Yang Ge very happy. But there’s something Yang Ge hasn’t told his brothers—actually, Yang Ge is one of the Terrorists."
It was like thunder striking out of nowhere; Jufeng's smile froze on his face as he looked at Yang Fang in shock, his mouth agape in bewilderment.
He slowly withdrew his hand from Yang Fang's grasp, the stiffness on his face gradually fading into solemnity. After staring blankly for a moment, he picked up the wine glass in front of him and downed its contents in one go before falling back into a daze.
Yang Fang was quite satisfied with Jufeng's reaction. For an ordinary person—even one who had been through the Underworld—the Terrorists were synonymous with plague. The Underworld did not oppose the government; rather, they used it as a cover. The Terrorists were different; they were a completely independent military force.
Yang Fang knew that Jufeng's lack of an immediate outburst, such as smashing dishes or slamming the table, indicated his excellent psychological quality, well within the expected range. His current silence was a sign of the intense internal struggle he was facing, and this was precisely the critical moment for Yang Fang to increase his leverage.
Yang Fang slowly stood up and walked behind Jufeng, speaking gently, "Brother Ju Feng, you have been in the Underworld before, so you naturally understand the survival rules of this world: the weak are prey to the strong. At first, who would choose to leave a good life behind to brush shoulders with death here? However, there is too much unfairness in reality that has forced me step by step to this point."
He appealed to emotions. Yang Fang's words were persuasive for most people. Anyone who had entered this treacherous society and struggled without achieving anything would inevitably harbor some resentment towards the world—not out of helplessness, but because that is reality.
Yang Fang's remarks could resonate deeply, stirring each person's inner feelings of rebellion and jealousy, enticing them toward the abyss of sin.
Seeing Jufeng's tense mood slightly easing, Yang Fang smiled and continued, "Out there, every meal is a struggle for survival; one must toil away just to make ends meet. But even jobs like Mining come with the danger of cave-ins, don't they? Look at how Brothers thrive after joining the Terrorist group—enjoying good food and drink without worrying about making a living. Life becomes unrestrained and free; how joyful that is!"
After Yang Fang finished speaking, the other Brothers began to respond in agreement.
"That's right, Brother Ju Feng. Look at us Brothers; we all have meat to eat and wine to drink. How happy we are!"
"Exactly, Brother Ju Feng! Your wife has to accompany you to work; how much suffering she endures. If you join us Brothers, your sister-in-law won't have to suffer anymore."
"Absolutely..."
In an instant, their words overwhelmed Jufeng, leaving him dizzy and on the verge of collapse. Seeing this, Yang Fang timely halted the others, allowing Jufeng some time to think.
Of course, while giving him time to ponder, Yang Fang felt it necessary to add a final remark.
"Brother Ju Feng, take your time to consider this; there's no need for an immediate answer. Even if you choose not to join us, we will still be good friends because you saved my life."
Upon hearing this, Jufeng's expression remained conflicted; however, internally he was cursing. What a grandstanding fellow Yang Fang was! If I don't comply with him today, I can guarantee that my dormitory will not be peaceful tonight, and I can't assure what will happen to Vera and Ning Pangzi either.
"With your ruthless nature, how could you leave any potential trouble unaddressed?"
Yang Fang quietly sat to the side, while the others had already put down their chopsticks, all eyes fixed on Jufeng, waiting for his answer.
Jufeng's expression was grave, his brows furrowed, and the knuckles of his fingers gripping the wine glass were slightly white, a true reflection of his inner turmoil.
After a long pause that felt like an eternity, Jufeng finally exhaled a heavy sigh and resolved to make the decision he had long prepared.
He lifted his head, a smile returning to his face as he looked at the table full of delicious dishes. "Yang Ge's hospitality for this dinner cannot be enjoyed alone. Once everyone has finished eating, I must pack some for your brothers and sisters."
Hearing this, Yang Fang and the others felt a wave of relief wash over them; they had not let down their efforts.
Yang Fang beamed with joy and said, "Brother Ju Feng, what are you talking about! We can't take leftovers to your siblings; how would they see us older brothers? Afei, go tell the kitchen to prepare some more good dishes for Brother Ju Feng to take home later."
Afei, who had sparred with Jufeng that day, immediately went off cheerfully to relay the message. He held Jufeng in high regard after narrowly losing to him, which left a good impression.
Seeing this, gratitude overflowed from Jufeng. He filled his wine glass again and said heartily, "Let me drink first as a toast. Thank you, Yang Ge and Brothers, for thinking highly of me. From now on, we will share blessings and bear difficulties together."
Yang Fang raised his glass as well and laughed, "Don't worry! With Brothers together, there will only be blessings and no troubles. Cheers!"
Yang Fang and Ju Feng downed their drinks first, while the surrounding Brothers clinked glasses in high spirits. The banquet continued for quite some time before finally coming to an end.
Later that night, Jufeng returned to his dormitory reeking of alcohol. Vera, who opened the door for him, wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"I'm back, ugly daughter-in-law," he announced.
Vera dragged Jufeng onto the bed with a hint of annoyance. It seemed he had indeed had too much to drink tonight, though Vera believed he was still within his limits.
Jufeng collapsed onto the bed, his food box still held high in his hand. When Vera took it from him, it was still warm, wafting with the rich aroma of the food inside.
Looking at Jufeng on the bed, he didn't seem so bothersome after all.
Vera removed Jufeng's coat, and at that moment, he had already begun to emit soft snores. This wasn't an act; it was a sign of his complete trust in Vera.
After sitting by the bedside for a while, Vera got up and went to the washroom to fill a basin with warm water. She gently wiped Jufeng's face and hands, hesitating as she looked at his feet before finally deciding to take off his shoes.
In the quiet of the night, Vera sat at the small table by the window, slowly chewing her food bite by bite, feeling calm and serene.
(To be continued)
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