allonlinenovel Chapter 1152 is finally back!
Chapter 1152 is finally back!
"I understand, Mr. Itai." Xu Tian nodded slightly, his tone calm and undisturbed, as if Itai's warning had no effect on him whatsoever.
But only he knew that his heart was already on high alert, because he had caught a fleeting glimpse of murderous intent in Itai Yudai's eyes.
Yudai Itai gave the two of them a deep look, said nothing more, and slightly raised his chin at the driver in the driver's seat, signaling him to drive.
The driver immediately understood, lightly pressed the accelerator, and the car started again, slowly driving away from the entrance of Tongfuli Alley. The three black cars quickly blended into the night, leaving only a series of engine sounds gradually fading away before finally disappearing around the street corner.
Watching the car disappear in the direction it had gone, Shen Suqiu could no longer hold back. Tears welled up in her eyes like beads from a broken string, streaming down her cheeks. She raised her hand to cover her mouth, trying hard to suppress her sobs, her shoulders shaking as she looked extremely aggrieved.
Xu Tian gently patted her shoulder, his movements tender and soothing. He leaned closer and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Alright, Suqiu, stop crying. Let's go back."
Shen Suqiu nodded slightly, sniffed, wiped her tears haphazardly with her sleeve, raised her head, and looked at Xu Tian with eyes full of dependence.
She obediently followed Xu Tian and turned to walk into the dimly lit alley of Tongfuli.
The two figures were stretched long under the alleyway light, gradually walking deeper into the alley and eventually disappearing into the darkness.
Three cars stopped two blocks away, then turned back.
The streetlights at the alley entrance still shone dimly, and the evening breeze swept through the alley, bringing a soft whistling sound, as if telling the secrets and dangers hidden behind the night.
Night fell over Tongfu Lane, but it didn't completely silence this old alleyway.
The moss in the corner of the wall was covered with night dew, giving it a damp, dark green hue. Several clothes that had been confiscated from other households were still hanging on the clothesline. When the wind blew, the blue cotton shirts and floral skirts swayed gently, brushing against the bamboo poles overhead and making a soft rustling sound.
Tailor Lu Baorong's shop door had a half-foot-wide gap, through which dim yellow light streamed out, spreading a small patch of warm yellow light on the bluestone pavement.
The rustling sound of him gathering fabric scraps was the sound of him putting the leftover pieces into a bamboo basket. Occasionally, you could hear him humming a tuneless rendition of "Night Fragrance," the last notes muffled by the rustling of the fabric.
Old Ma, the barber, had his stall diagonally opposite Lu Baorong's shop. His wooden barber chair was folded up and leaned against the wall. He was squatting on a small stool, carefully wiping his shiny razor with a faded coarse cloth.
The blade gleamed coldly under the streetlights, and he cleaned it meticulously, not even missing the patterns on the hilt.
Hearing footsteps at the alley entrance, Old Ma raised his head, a copper pipe still dangling from his mouth. The embers in the pipe flickered for a moment. He gestured with his chin toward the person approaching, his voice hoarse from smoking: "Xu Tian, Su Qiu, where have you been these past two days?"
Your mother was so worried. Yesterday evening, she stood at the alley entrance several times, looking out, and didn't even eat dinner properly.
Xu Tian, holding Shen Suqiu's wrist, paused, a hint of apology on his face, and nodded in response, "Master Ma, thank you for your concern. Something urgent came up and I didn't have time to tell my family beforehand."
His voice wasn't loud; it drifted on the evening breeze, just enough for Old Ma to hear clearly.
No sooner had she finished speaking than hurried footsteps came from the gate of her own courtyard ahead. Xu's mother, wearing cloth shoes, quickly came to greet them, followed by Tian Dan. Their shadows were stretched long by the streetlights at the alley entrance, and their faces showed undisguised anxiety.
"Ah Tian! Su Qiu! Where have you been? You're finally back!" Xu's mother grabbed their hands, her fingertips were icy cold and trembling slightly, her eyes red like cherries soaked in water.
"Why didn't you come back all night yesterday? Don't you know the world is in chaos these days? Miss Tian and I searched all the alleys nearby, and even went to the police station to ask. We went to report it to the police before dawn this morning. The police said they would have to investigate further, which made my heart pound with anxiety."
"Where did you go? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" As she spoke, she reached out to touch Xu Tian's face, then pulled Shen Suqiu's hand to examine it closely, her fingertips tracing the sleeves of both of them, afraid of missing even the slightest scratch.
Tian Dan stepped forward, gently helped Xu's mother up, patted her back, and then glanced at Xu Tian and Shen Suqiu with concern before finally settling on the inconspicuous bloodstain on Xu Tian's sleeve.
That was from when I was captured by Kagesa's men. It was torn by the edge of the door panel during the struggle. It was covered by a gray robe, so you couldn't see it unless you looked closely.
Tian Dan paused slightly, but didn't ask any more questions. She simply said gently to Xu's mother, "Don't worry, Mr. Xu and Sister Suqiu seem to be fine."
I've been simmering chicken porridge in the kitchen, keeping it warm over a low flame. I'll go get two bowls for them to have something to eat first.
Xu Tian gently pulled Shen Suqiu behind him, patted his mother's slightly cool hand, and said in a calm tone, as if it were a deep pool, "Mom, Miss Tian, I'm sorry to have worried you."
He turned to the neighbors who had gathered around and smiled apologetically, lowering his voice just enough for those nearby to hear: "Suqiu has a classmate from Nankai University who also came to Shanghai. Last night, he suddenly fell ill and his condition is not good."
Suqiu, a young girl, went to the hospital to take care of someone. I was worried, so I stayed with her at the hospital all night. I've been at the hospital all day today too. I was in such a rush that I forgot to ask someone to let my family know I was safe.
Shen Suqiu immediately lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, and squeezed out a few sobs, her voice thick with nasal tone as she said to Xu's mother, "Auntie, it's all my fault. When I saw my classmate like that, I panicked and forgot to tell the family, making you and my cousin worry." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again, and two fell at just the right moment, sliding down her cheeks to the tip of her chin.
"What a tragedy!" Lu Baorong poked his head out of the shop, still clutching a piece of floral fabric in his hand, his face full of sighs: "It's very chaotic outside now, and places like hospitals are even more chaotic. It's really scary for a young girl to run there alone."
"Xu Tian, you're right to stay with me. No one else would feel at ease." He said, giving Shen Suqiu a sympathetic look.
Old Ma chuckled, pipe in mouth, and exhaled a faint smoke ring that slowly dissipated under the light: "What do you know? Xu Tian is a meticulous person, always prudent in his work."
"If your Xiaocui went out in the middle of the night, wouldn't you follow her? You'd probably chase her for three blocks." As he spoke, he glanced at Lu Baorong, his eyes tinged with amusement.