Chapter Forty-Seven: Second-Rate Little Assassin

Wu Zhengyao entered the “Ghost King Cave” and was utterly astonished; its vastness and the strangeness of its scenery far exceeded his imagination. Compared to those famous lava caves both at home and abroad, the Ghost King Cave was in no way inferior.

“Do your best. If there’s anything you can’t decide, contact me directly,” Wu Zhengyao said as he was about to leave, giving Tang Long a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

After seeing Wu Zhengyao off, Tang Long took the opportunity to approach Zhang Xiu'e, smiling softly as he asked, “Secretary Xiu’e, do you know the girl who kept staring at me?”

Without even glancing at him, Zhang Xiu’e knew exactly whom he meant. She kept a stern face and replied unsympathetically, “Stop flattering yourself. Who would bother staring at you for no reason?”

She turned on her heel, showing Tang Long the back of her head as she walked into the village. He hadn’t even had a chance to explain what had happened during his time in the provincial capital.

Never underestimate a woman’s intuition, no matter the circumstances. Moreover, Secretary Xiu’e was no fool. If she wanted to know who Tang Long had been seeing in the city, wouldn’t she just have a friend look into it?

Tang Long touched his nose, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face. He truly didn’t know how to explain things to Zhang Xiu’e.

Though the two of them hadn’t officially become a couple, they’d already developed a tacit understanding, and their interactions carried a hint of subtle affection.

Now that Tang Long had returned to Yutou Village, he had no intention of leaving again, nor did he wish to maintain any ambiguous ties with the women from his past. He wasn’t a saint, but neither was he a heartless scoundrel.

He might not have been the most serious about love, but at least he was sincere—no matter who he faced.

This time, he’d gone to the city for Er Mao’s sake, and meeting Yao Handong again hadn’t been his intention. But now, none of that mattered.

Yao Handong hadn’t insisted on clinging to him, nor had she said she’d let go. As a man, he felt he still bore a basic responsibility.

Dealing with Miss Yao was easy enough. The real difficulty lay with Zhang Xiu’e. Tang Long found himself at a loss when it came to the secretary; he didn’t know what to do.

Should he explain?

How should he explain—that he’d gone to the provincial capital, rekindled an old flame with a woman from his past?

But if he didn’t explain, that didn’t seem right either.

Tang Long genuinely liked Zhang Xiu’e. From their very first meeting—when he’d accidentally glimpsed her bare backside—to witnessing her dedication and faith in Yutou Village, his fondness for her had only grown.

Zhang Xiu’e clearly had feelings for him too. She wasn’t some sheltered village girl. Having grown up in the new era, how could she tolerate her boyfriend fooling around with other women?

"Hey, you must be Tang Long, right?" A girl who called herself Shan Xiu approached and greeted him.

Tang Long nodded, his eyes flashing with a hint of alertness. There was a trace of danger about this pretty girl.

"Yes, I’m Tang Long. And you are?"

Shan Xiu’s lips curled into a half-smile as she winked at him. “Did you know that Xiu’e likes you?”

Tang Long was taken aback, then smiled bitterly and nodded. “I know.”

Shan Xiu’s expression darkened, and the air around them seemed to chill. Her voice turned menacing. “So you knew, and you still went to the provincial capital to fool around with other women?”

“You know about that?” Tang Long was surprised. The girl’s intimidation didn’t faze him; to him, it was negligible.

Shan Xiu scoffed. “I live with Xiu’e every day. Not only do I know, she knows your every move in the city.”

She glanced at him and added, “I don’t want to see Xiu’e hurt or the children in Yutou Village saddened. For their sake, I won’t kill you. But you’d better make it up to Xiu’e, or you’re dead!”

With that, she turned and beckoned. A group of children from the village ran over, smiling as they headed off toward Liangou Hollow.

“Crazy, isn’t she?” Tang Long rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath. Such a “second-rate” little assassin, threatening him?

If he wanted, one finger would be enough to deal with her.

He had no idea why a female assassin had ended up in Yutou Village, but from her words just now, he sensed goodwill.

After a moment’s hesitation, Tang Long headed into the village. One way or another, he had to face things—running away wasn’t a solution.

Zhang Xiu’e wore a stern face as she gave instructions to the villagers, unsmiling. During Tang Long’s absence, she’d been the one in charge.

He stood beside her and waited until she finished her tasks before saying, “That girl is an assassin!”

“I know,” Zhang Xiu’e replied coldly without looking at him. “Is there something you want to say?”

Shan Xiu’s identity as an assassin was no secret to Zhang Xiu’e; she’d been told before Tang Long returned. Originally, after revealing herself, Shan Xiu was planning to leave Yutou Village. The reward for this mission was generous—five million wasn’t a small sum—but she didn’t care much for money. She didn’t kill Tang Long because she’d come to like it here; Zhang Xiu’e and the children gave her a rare sense of warmth. In the end, Zhang Xiu’e had asked her to stay.

“Look, Xiu’e, you know my trip to the city was an accident—I didn’t want to leave Yutou Village.” Tang Long scratched his head, his eyes full of helplessness. He really didn’t know how to explain.

“Mm.” Zhang Xiu’e kept her stern face, saying nothing, walking forward unhurriedly as if her actions alone told him, “Go on.”

So you didn’t leave of your own accord—are you going to claim everything else was forced on you too?

Her friends had already told her that while he was in the city, he was always accompanied by a stunningly beautiful woman. Zhang Xiu’e’s eyes had swollen from crying. With today’s high-resolution cameras and advanced technology, she even knew what Yao Handong looked like.

At first, she was furious. But then she forced herself to calm down. After all, there was nothing official between her and Tang Long; they’d made no promises. He was free to be with whomever he wished.

For days, she’d been stewing on this, just waiting for Tang Long to return so she could settle things.

“Her name is Yao Handong. We knew each other before. Er Mao and Sister-in-law Li have gone to the capital, and it was she who arranged the hospital. As for me and her... I don’t know what to say. If you want to scold me, go ahead. I admit I’m no good.” Tang Long spoke quietly. “But my feelings for you are real.”

Zhang Xiu’e frowned and, seeing Tang Long about to leave, called out, “Stop—where do you think you’re going?”

He looked at her and gave a wry smile. “Don’t you need some time to cool off?”

She shot him an annoyed glare and snapped, “Why would I need to cool off? You’re not the only man in the world. You can be with whoever you want—it’s none of my business. So what if you like me? I’m not interested in you!”