Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Chapter 937 Du is ready to withdraw

So, the moment she bumped into Xiao Bao at the warehouse door, she attacked almost instantly—three poisonous needles, as thin as ox hairs, shot out from her fingertips, aiming straight at Xiao Bao's face. Xiao Bao had clearly not expected her sudden appearance, let alone her fatal attack. He hastily dodged to the side, and the poisonous needles grazed his ears and lodged in the metal cabinet behind him, black smoke instantly emanating from the needle tips.

"I just want an explanation from you." Zhang Du stood where he was, his voice as cold as ice, but his eyes hid a barely perceptible tremor.

The cunning rabbit next to him had been trying to smooth things over, but seeing this, he tactfully rubbed his nose. The aura between these two was too subtle, and he felt like an unnecessary third wheel. Better to slip away. He winked at Xiao Bao and quietly retreated, closing the warehouse door behind him.

There were only two people left in the warehouse, and the air seemed to freeze. Zhang Du looked at Xiao Bao, his eyes suddenly red, and his voice was sobbing but still strong: "Brother Bao, I'm going to kill you!"

Before she could finish her words, she had already rushed forward. In her hand, a short knife wrapped in silk thread had appeared, the blade gleaming with a faint blue light, clearly poisoned. Xiao Bao knew the grievance she felt, and even more so that he had left too hastily and failed to give her adequate explanations. Filled with guilt, he held back, defending only. He dodged the blade's sharp edge, letting it sweep across his cheek, leaving a faint trace of blood, and refused to fight back.

Zhang Du's attacks grew increasingly fierce, each one aimed at vital points, but Xiao Bao always managed to dodge them by the tiniest hairline. She knew in her heart that Xiao Bao was playing it safe, and those seemingly powerful moves weren't even using 30% of their power. After fighting for about a dozen rounds, she abruptly sheathed her knife and retreated, her chest heaving violently, her eyes reddening. "Brother Bao, if you dare stand me up again, I'll really use poison darts next time. No mercy!"

Xiao Bao looked at her hard-mouthed but soft-hearted appearance, feeling both heartbroken and warm. He took a step forward and softened his voice, "I won't do it again. I was wrong back then. I left too hastily and made you suffer." He paused, his eyes becoming serious. "But don't take this mission. It's too dangerous and not worth it."

Zhang Du turned his face away and snorted heavily, his tone still carrying a hint of anger, but he ultimately didn't mention "killing him" again. Although Xiao Bao hadn't said it clearly, he could clearly hear the considerations and concerns between the lines. His fingertips repeatedly stroked the dark patterns on the hilt of the short knife. The cool touch calmed him slightly, and he finally silently sheathed the knife into the sheath at his waist. He deliberately suppressed the soft sound of metal clashing, almost drowning it out in the wind outside the window.

He turned to look at Xiao Bao, his chin slightly raised, his eyes filled with his usual arrogance. "Brother Bao, don't worry. Don't you know my abilities? After so many years in the industry, there's no target that I, Zhang Du, can't handle. This little thing is easy for me to accomplish."

Xiao Bao opened his mouth, intending to elaborate on a few more details of the operation, such as the time to avoid surveillance and the route of retreat, but Zhang Du spoke first, looking at him with a raised eyebrow: "Brother Bao, there's no point in just talking about these things. You haven't even told me what the mission is. You can't just let me guess blindly here. If I guess correctly, there's a reward."

Xiao Bao stopped beating around the bush and briefly explained the target's name, address, time of operation, and the general plan. Zhang Du listened, a sneer curling his lips, a hint of disdain. "Brother Bao, you've really regressed now. In the past, you would have easily and efficiently taken care of a target of this level on your own. Why would you have to go through so much trouble and even come to me?"

Xiao Bao smiled, but a complex emotion flashed across his eyes. His tone darkened, "This isn't a foreign country. The rules are different. We have to be fully prepared. You don't know, the Public Security Bureau here is very powerful. Their investigation methods are impenetrable. There are eyes on every street corner. They might find the slightest clue, and it would be difficult to escape."

Zhang Du grew up abroad and was unfamiliar with the domestic security environment. After hearing what he said, he didn't refute it. He just leaned forward and asked, "I understand. So when exactly do we start? What do you need me to prepare in advance? Do you want to bring your weapons?"

Xiao Bao shook his head: "I have something else to do, so I have to leave first. After this mission is completed..." He paused, frowned slightly, as if he was considering his words, or as if he was making a difficult decision.

Seeing him hesitant to speak, Zhang Du couldn't help but sneer and raised an eyebrow, saying, "What do you want to say? Come on, don't dilly-dally like a woman. I don't have the patience to keep you guessing."

Xiao Bao took a deep breath, raised his eyes to meet his, and spoke with a rare seriousness, even a subtle pleading: "Can you... quit the organization? Then come with me, find a place where no one knows you, run away, live a down-to-earth and clean life, and stop getting involved in these violent activities."

Zhang Du was stunned for a moment, as if he hadn't expected him to say that. Then he chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a hint of inquiry, as if he was watching a huge joke. "Are you serious, or are you playing another trick on me? Do you want me to let my guard down so you can stab me in the back?"

Xiao Bao looked at Zhang Du with a rare sincerity in his eyes, and his tone softened. "I'm sincere. Look, we've been living on the edge of a knife for years, and the money we've saved is enough to live comfortably for the rest of our lives. After this thing is over, let's find a small town with beautiful mountains and rivers, buy a yard, grow vegetables and flowers, and no longer have to worry about anything, okay?"

Zhang Du twirled the shiny dagger between his fingertips. After a moment of silence, he looked up at Xiao Bao with a faint smile on his face. "Alright. Once the mission is over, I'll go with you and quit this business."

The two exchanged heartfelt words, discussing the thrill of their first joint mission to the exhaustion they'd harbored over the years. Their words revealed a longing for a more peaceful life. Only when the sky was beginning to lighten did Xiao Bao pat Zhang Du's shoulder. "I have some things to arrange. I'm leaving now," he said, turning and disappearing into the morning mist at the alley entrance.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the courtyard that morning—Xu Damao was going to show a movie in the courtyard. Children ran and shouted, adults gathered in the corner to discuss the news, and even the old lady who usually didn't like to go out came out on crutches to inquire about it. The whole courtyard was filled with a sense of excitement. After all, they could go to the movies.