CHAPTER 468: CHAPTER 465 [CHEN NUO, OUTSTANDING STUDENT OF CLASS 8 WITH ACADEMIC AND MORAL EXCELLENCE]

Chapter 465: Chen Nuo, an All-Around Outstanding Student at No. 8 Middle School

Two days later, Boss Luo Dachanzi regained consciousness in the ICU.

The affairs of Luo’s House seemed to have subsided without further incident.

The mysterious Mr. Gai had disappeared, with no one knowing where he had gone. Luo Dachanzi himself wasn’t quite sure whether his car accident was related to this Mr. Gai.

Normally, from the course of the car accident, it was impossible for an average person to find any traces of human intervention.

As for Mr. Gai’s visit to the hospital during Luo Dachanzi’s coma—it could be interpreted as an opportunistic move, but it wasn’t concrete evidence that he masterminded the plan.

Still, many things are understood without evidence, at least in one’s heart.

Especially after Lu Xiaojun told Luo Dachanzi about Chen Nuo helping with the investigation behind the scenes during his coma, Luo Dachanzi, though still weary from recently awakening, dismissed everyone else. He called Luo Qing into the room for a private conversation, the details of which remained unknown to others.

Following his transfer to a general ward, Luo Dachanzi began summoning people from the company.

After reassuring his core team members, Luo Dachanzi felt somewhat exhausted.

Once Lu Xiaojun had sent the company’s people away, he remained alone with Luo Dachanzi in the hospital room, dragging a chair to the bedside.

"I think you should rest first. Life is more important than money," he said.

Luo Dachanzi laughed bitterly at those words and waved his hand. "I know my own body... I always feel like I can hold on. But it’s strange; I suffered such a severe injury this time, and yet I can already get out of bed so soon.

"Do you remember? That year... that time I took three stabs, here, here, and here..."

Luo Dachanzi gestured to several spots on his chest and abdomen. "Back then... I was so scared by the blood loss, I almost scared myself to death.

"But as a result, I lay in bed for a good half month before I could stand.

"This time it’s strange, my body seems to..."

Lu Xiaojun also seemed puzzled. "I find it strange too; not just me, even the doctors think it’s strange.

"Logically, at your age, your body looks sturdy—though you’ve indulged in your fair share of alcohol and women, it’s really just a façade of robustness.

"But the doctors said your recovery ability is much stronger than that of young guys.

"Not to mention getting up and walking around; the doctors didn’t even expect you to wake up so quickly.

"You don’t know, when you were brought to the hospital, you were barely hanging on."

As he spoke, Lu Xiaojun sighed. "Old Luo, listen to me: life is more important than money. Some things aren’t worth fighting so hard for."

Luo Dachanzi’s expression turned complex. He glanced at the door and out the window, then lowered his voice. "Xiaojun... I understand what you’re saying.

"But I also understand that life is more important than money. However, on the path I’ve taken, if I don’t fight for my life, I often end up dying faster!

"He paused, then lowered his voice even further. "Take this incident, for example. If I hadn’t clenched my teeth and held on, even if that Mr. Gai hadn’t made a move against me, siding with him would have alienated our original partners.

"They too are powerful, local big shots at that. Could I afford to offend them?

"Being a turncoat never ends well.

"It was better to fight and show some backbone. Considering how I gritted my teeth and stood firm this time, those local powers might at least acknowledge my effort."

Lu Xiaojun’s expression was complex. "What if... what if you had died this time?"

Luo Dachanzi smirked. "I wouldn’t have died; this project wasn’t worth my life, the stakes weren’t that high. And even if... I really had died...

"Luo Qing would have had you to look after him.

"I left him some money abroad; learned from those foreigners and set up some sort of trust.

"For the rest of his life, as long as he doesn’t become a wastrel and doesn’t eat lobster and abalone every day, he’ll have rice to eat and won’t starve.

"Also, that house in Thailand you liked when we went to Southeast Asia last time? I bought it. It’ll be yours for retirement."

Lu Xiaojun fell silent. He subconsciously reached into his pocket, only then remembering he couldn’t smoke in the hospital room.

"Do you think this incident was definitely orchestrated by Mr. Gai?"

Luo Dachanzi gritted his teeth. "Whether it’s certain or not... we all have a good idea. For things like this, we’re not a court; we don’t need evidence. If you know it’s him, you just know."

Lu Xiaojun was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his head. Clenching his teeth, two words burst from his mouth.

"Forget it!"

Luo Dachanzi lifted his eyelids to look at Lu Xiaojun but said nothing.

Lu Xiaojun took a deep breath, his eyes fixed intently on Luo Dachanzi. "Old Luo, I said... let it go!"

Luo Dachanzi remained silent.

Lu Xiaojun stood up and walked to the window, looking down at the hospital’s green belt.

Without turning back, he spoke softly and slowly. "If it were twenty years ago, when we were both young and had nothing to lose but our own hides, truly fearless and reckless, I would have definitely supported you: an eye for an eye!

"No matter if it’s some powerful outsider or some heavenly king, if they dared to step on us like this, even if we ended up bloodied and beaten, we’d knock out a couple of their teeth!

"But..."

Reaching this point, Lu Xiaojun heaved a long sigh, turned to look at Luo Dachanzi, his face seeming to have aged considerably. "But, Old Luo, we’re old now. We can’t afford to fight like that anymore."

Luo Dachanzi still didn’t speak.

"How old are you? You had your son late in life; you’re almost sixty, and I’m only two or three years younger.

"Luo Qing is an adult now. He seems sensible, but he doesn’t have any great capabilities. To imagine he could grit his teeth and carve out a grand future like you and I did... that boy... he doesn’t have the spirit for it.

"You raised your son in a greenhouse. We are his only support.

"If we go fight to the death, and we lose everything, when we two old men are gone, who will Luo Qing rely on?

"Those people in the company, they look respectful and obedient to us... but what kind of people are they really? Don’t you know in your heart?

"They’re a pack of ghouls and fiends, a bunch of worthless scoundrels, a horde of monsters crawled out from the mire.

"If we’re not around, do you think Luo Qing can keep them in line?

"Then, the company, this business, will be like a juicy piece of meat.

"Before any outsiders even make a move, those wolves within will swarm and tear Luo Qing to pieces, devouring him whole."

"That’s why I gritted my teeth and stood up to that powerful outsider, Gai," Luo Dachanzi said with a bitter smile.

He patted the side of the bed. "Xiaojun, come sit."

Lu Xiaojun walked over and sat on the chair beside the bed.

"I know we’re old. The business we built by daring to fight and struggle can’t continue down that path.

"Luo Qing is different from us; his upbringing was different.

"How did we start? Earthmoving, sand, and gravel!

"How much shady stuff is involved in that? We two can manage that pack of ghouls and fiends, but Luo Qing definitely can’t. Don’t I know that?

"That’s why this time I racked my brains, fought tooth and nail to partner with that big local company and secure this project!

"Otherwise, what do you think I was doing?

"Money? I took the smallest share. Manpower and effort? I contributed the most!

"What am I after? Am I just after this company’s credentials?

"There are plenty of companies with credentials. You know in your heart how demeaning the terms of our partnership were.

"In the words of our own people, this collaborative project, that contract—it’s an unequal treaty!

"They eat the meat, we get to drink the soup, and it’s the damn dregs they leave after they’re full, tossing us a mouthful or two.

"What am I after?

"I’m after an entry ticket!

"By aligning with this leading local enterprise—a legitimate, large state-owned enterprise with credentials, backing, and connections—they have everything!

"What I’m aiming for through this collaborative project is for us to be subservient and secure this connection.

"In the future, we can transform from being low-level ’mudlegs’ dealing in earthmoving, sand, and gravel into legitimate contractors.

"Relying on this large state-owned enterprise, we’ll take it slow, bit by bit, opening up channels.

"So when Luo Qing is older and takes over, it won’t be some semi-shady operation.

"It will be a clean, legitimate business.

"I want to leave my son a clean way to make a living!"

Lu Xiaojun looked at Luo Dachanzi.

Luo Dachanzi shook his head. "We’ve been wallowing in mud for half our lives; our hands are filthy.

"I hope my son’s hands stay clean in the future.

"Besides, he’s not the kind of person who can do these dirty deeds."

"So you want to use this project to connect with a large company with a state-owned background and then... go legitimate?"

"Right, go legitimate!

"So, for this project, never mind that there’s little profit, let alone that fellow Gai trying to buy me off with benefits...

"Even if this project loses money, I’ll do it!

"What I’m after is going legitimate!"

Lu Xiaojun nodded. "I understand your intentions, but the current situation..."

Luo Dachanzi’s face was savage. He gritted his teeth, took a few breaths to compose himself, and finally relaxed slightly.

A trace of unwillingness still lingered in his eyes, but he said softly, "I’ll listen to you. I’ll endure it!"

Lu Xiaojun nodded. "Then, about that Mr. Gai..."

"I’ll just hide out in the hospital. If he comes looking for me, tell them I’m severely injured and can’t see anyone.

"I don’t believe he’d dare to openly send people to the hospital to finish me off.

"He’s of a different status; some dirty tactics aren’t used overtly. This time, he made the first move, and I didn’t retaliate. My guess is he won’t come after me again. I’ll just play possum, hiding here in the hospital.

"As for the company project, you continue as planned; push it forward.

"In short... I’m not the main target. For him to pressure me this much is probably the extent of it."

After a pause, Luo Dachanzi whispered, "I’ve been thinking. He probably didn’t really want to kill me this time. It was likely a show of force, to intimidate me, not actually to take my life.

"Think about it, the location of my car accident.

"It just happened to be so close to the hospital, and so close to the fire station.

"After the crash, rescuers and medical personnel could arrive quickly, and there was enough time to get me to the hospital.

"This was all calculated. He didn’t intend to kill me."

Lu Xiaojun nodded, pondered for a moment, then said, "There’s also... Luo Qing’s friend, that Chen Nuo..."

Luo Dachanzi’s expression flickered.

He squinted, thinking. "That kid... when I first met him, I sensed he was quite capable, with an unusual disposition.

"Later, I discovered that even that old fellow Li Qingshan knew him and seemed to treat him quite respectfully.

"This kid isn’t ordinary; I’m somewhat aware of that.

"Fortunately, I can see his friendship with Luo Qing is genuine, without ulterior motives or schemes.

"And... when he had some trouble before, Luo Qing was very supportive of his family. That bond was forged. In the future, he’ll be a friend Luo Qing can rely on for life."

Lu Xiaojun nodded. "This person is not simple."

"I know. I heard everything you told me. So... I’ve already told Luo Qing.

"Chen Nuo is someone he should befriend sincerely, without any hidden agenda. Such a remarkable individual lacks neither money nor benefits.

"Only by offering genuine friendship can you earn true loyalty in return.

"I don’t expect anything from him. I just hope Luo Qing can have such a friend in his life.

"If, by any chance, he stumbles badly someday, this friend might be there to pull him up at a critical moment.

"That would be enough."

As they were speaking, they heard knocking at the door.

Both turned their heads. The hospital room door opened, and one of Luo Dachanzi’s men entered, saying in a low voice, "Boss, a young man named Chen Nuo is here to see you. He said you would definitely want to see him."

Luo Dachanzi immediately sat up a little straighter. "Please, let him in."

Chen Nuo strolled in, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed. He glanced at Luo Dachanzi propped up in the hospital bed, then at Lu Xiaojun sitting beside him, and grinned. "Oh, Uncle Lu is here too."

Lu Xiaojun’s feelings toward Chen Nuo were complex, a mixture of admiration and awe. He nodded at Chen Nuo’s greeting and stood up. "There’s still work at the company. You two talk."

As he passed Chen Nuo, Lu Xiaojun stopped and said to him earnestly in a low voice, "This time... thank you!"

Chen Nuo waved his hand, smiling. "Take care, Uncle Lu."

Once Lu Xiaojun had left and closed the door, Chen Nuo turned to Luo Dachanzi. He smiled, walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

Luo Dachanzi glared. "Kid, are you trying to tempt me?"

Chen Nuo thought for a moment, then went to open the window before locking the door from the inside.

Only then did he return to the bedside, take out a cigarette, and place it directly in Luo Dachanzi’s mouth.

Luo Dachanzi gave a wry smile, about to say something—

SNAP!

Chen Nuo flicked his thumb and index finger together, conjuring a small flame.

Luo Dachanzi was instantly stunned!

After Chen Nuo lit his cigarette, Luo Dachanzi inhaled subconsciously...

But the exhaled smoke seemed to be enveloped by an invisible force and drifted straight out the window.

Not a wisp of it dispersed within the room.

Luo Dachanzi’s eyes widened as he stared at Chen Nuo.

Chen Nuo smiled back at him.

Eventually, after Luo Dachanzi had unconsciously taken three puffs—

Chen Nuo cheerfully plucked the cigarette from Luo Dachanzi’s mouth, gently extinguished it, and tossed it into the trash can.

Only then did Luo Dachanzi start coughing.

Gasping and groaning in pain, he exclaimed, "Damn it, kid, are you trying to kill me! I have a penetrating chest wound! There’s still fluid in my lungs!"

Chen Nuo smiled and went over to grab Luo Dachanzi’s arm.

Suddenly, Luo Dachanzi felt a sharp pain in his arm. Looking down, he saw a syringe needle embedded there.

Nearly half a tube of clear liquid was injected into his body.

"This will take effect within a few hours, so... my advice, Uncle Luo."

"To avoid scaring people, you’d better hurry and get discharged. Just say you plan to go home to recuperate."

"Huh?" Luo Dachanzi’s mind raced. He wasn’t a fool and immediately grasped something. "I... I woke up so quickly, and my wounds are healing so fast... was this your doing?"

Chen Nuo waved his hand dismissively. "What else? Otherwise, you’d still be in the ICU, intubated and fast asleep."

Luo Dachanzi looked at Chen Nuo, his expression complex.

Chen Nuo continued, "After you get home, don’t remove the bandages. Try not to act too agile, or you’ll scare people. In front of others, act weaker, a bit clumsy, and maybe even cry out in pain occasionally.

"However, you can stop taking the medicine prescribed by the hospital.

"Oh, right, that woman who’s always around you isn’t trustworthy. Don’t let her know. That girl is bad news; I’ve checked her out... Honestly, Uncle Luo, what kind of taste do you have?

"When you pick women, do you only look at their chests and butts?"

Luo Dachanzi suppressed his irritation, endured the pain from coughing, and after catching his breath, gritted his teeth and muttered, "I... I...

"Damn it, I chose her because she’s good in bed and sounds good doing it! Is that a problem?"

Chen Nuo was speechless.

Finally, he sighed and shook his head.

"Fine, of course, it’s fine."

Chen Nuo smiled. "No matter how good she is, hold off for a while. The stuff I injected you with will have effects that would scare ordinary people."

Luo Dachanzi bit his lip, now fully composed. "Chen Nuo... tell me straight, what exactly is your background?

"That thing you did just now..."

As he spoke, Luo Dachanzi mimed flicking a lighter.

"And what was in that injection you gave me?"

Chen Nuo grinned. "Me? I... I’m Chen Nuo.

"Luo Qing’s friend, classmate, and deskmate.

"Just an exemplary student from No. 8 Middle School, outstanding in academics and character."

Luo Dachanzi rolled his eyes.

An exemplary student, outstanding in academics and character? If that’s you, then my son should be at Tsinghua University!

"Alright, let’s talk business," Chen Nuo said, waving his hand, his smile vanishing as he looked at Luo Dachanzi.

"...Go on."

"You should have a clear idea about what happened this time, right? That man, Gai..."

Luo Dachanzi sighed. "Chen Nuo... I’m grateful you helped investigate because of Luo Qing, but this matter... I think it’s best if you don’t get involved any further."

Chen Nuo nodded. "Yes, there’s indeed no need to do anything more."

"Huh?"

Chen Nuo spread his hands. "This matter? Consider it closed."

"...What do you mean?"

Chen Nuo stood up, pulled a crumpled newspaper from his pocket, and tossed it to Luo Dachanzi.

It was a daily paper from some coastal city.

"After I got the news, I had someone buy a local paper and verify the information..."

As Chen Nuo spoke, Luo Dachanzi lowered his head to read intently: *Local News... Yesterday... Airport Expressway... Car Accident... One dead, two injured...*

Reading this, Luo Dachanzi abruptly looked up at Chen Nuo. "This... what does this mean?"

"The man surnamed Gai was in that car.

"Mm... he’s the one who died."

Chen Nuo gestured. "I captured one of Gai’s men and used his phone to call Gai. But when the call connected... it was the police from that coastal city. They said the phone’s owner had died in a car accident, that they were investigating, and asked if I was a relative of the deceased...

"What a mess, honestly..."

Luo Dachanzi felt a jolt from head to toe!

He instinctively sat bolt upright! The movement pulled at his chest wound, causing him to grimace in pain, but he paid it no mind!

This is... He’s dealt with? Just like that?! That easily, he’s gone? Such a big boss? A major figure? Mr. Gai? Disposed of just like that?! Damn! This kid’s methods are terrifyingly ruthless!!!

Chen Nuo patted Luo Dachanzi’s hand with a smile.

"Uncle, it’s a misunderstanding!

"A complete misunderstanding!

"I didn’t do this."

Luo Dachanzi glared at Chen Nuo.

Chen Nuo’s expression grew more serious. "Before I came, I suspected it might have been you... about a thirty percent chance. But now it seems this has nothing to do with you.

"Well then..." Chen Nuo’s smile vanished. "...that makes things interesting."

Actually, Chen Nuo hadn’t anticipated this either.

Even if he had decided to kill Mr. Gai, he wouldn’t have done it so conspicuously.

With his abilities, there were far less suspicious ways to eliminate someone quietly.

Like how he had dealt with Sun Keke’s biological father, Yao Weishan—a cerebral hemorrhage had taken care of him.

A car accident... So crude!

The problem was, this situation had become rather awkward.

"It wasn’t you, and it definitely wasn’t me," Chen Nuo said.

"But Mr. Gai is dead.

"So, I’m worried there might be more trouble.

"Who knows if Mr. Gai has anyone backing him? If they think Mr. Gai died in Jinling City after targeting you...

"If they connect his death to you, won’t that cause you problems?

"Besides, who killed Mr. Gai? Is the culprit connected to us? Could they bring you trouble?

"These are all loose ends that need to be managed."

Speaking, Chen Nuo lowered his voice. "So, Uncle Luo, I originally didn’t want to reveal too much in front of you.

"But given the current situation, I don’t think it’s suitable for you to remain in the hospital.

"This place is crowded and chaotic.

"If Mr. Gai has accomplices or influential family, they might come after you, and you wouldn’t be safe here.

"So, listen to me: get discharged today, find a place to stay, and keep a low profile for a few days.

"Wait until I’ve handled all the subsequent matters.

"And whoever killed Mr. Gai... they’ve essentially framed you for it. If possible, I’ll find out who that person is.

"So..."

After listening to Chen Nuo, Luo Dachanzi didn’t argue. He promptly had someone arrange his discharge from the hospital and found a place to lie low.

Now wasn’t the time to act tough.

A major figure like Mr. Gai was dead. Luo Dachanzi didn’t know what this meant for Chen Nuo, but for ordinary people, and even for himself, it was a massive event!

After Mr. Gai went after Luo Dachanzi, Luo Dachanzi didn’t dare retaliate and could only "endure it."

But now, the other party was dead.

If any forces or accomplices behind the deceased suspected his death was connected to Luo Dachanzi, he didn’t think he could handle the fallout.

Following Chen Nuo’s advice, Luo Dachanzi decided to go into hiding.

Not just himself, but he would take Luo Qing with him.

Chen Nuo promised it wouldn’t be for long; he would handle the matter as soon as possible.

As for how...

"Uncle Luo, don’t ask about that. Knowing too much isn’t good for you," Chen Nuo had said, waving his hand with a relaxed smile.

Then he slapped his forehead. "No, I still need to arrange a bodyguard for you. I’ll be busy outside and can’t watch you 24/7. We can’t have someone attack you while you’re vulnerable."

He picked up his phone and dialed.

"Hello? Boss Guo, making noodles?"

Boss Guo, the ramen shop owner, replied irritably, "What do you want?"

"Come help me protect someone. The guy from the hospital last time..."

"Not going!"

Boss Guo was fuming.

Does he really need me? With two inhuman monsters like you two around, who would dare cause trouble? You need a bodyguard? Who’s tired of living enough to provoke you? Besides, what can I even do? What am I capable of?

"Going or not?"

"Not going!"

"If you don’t go, I’ll come to your shop right now, eat, not pay, and just freeload off you every day."

Boss Guo scoffed. "Come! I’ll feed you! I’ll put a whole cow in your noodles if you can eat it! It’s fine if you eat me into bankruptcy!"

Chen Nuo paused, then said, "...In that case, I won’t go. I’ll send the Star Sky Empress to eat noodles at your place."

A few seconds of silence passed. Boss Guo promptly conceded, "Give me the address. I’ll head over with my things right away."

「On the Octopus Monster’s website forum.」

A new post in the public section of the Octopus Monster forum quickly shot to the top with replies.

Poster: Star Sky Empress.

Content: [Announcement: Jinling City in Huaxia is hereby declared a restricted zone for Ability Users. All Ability Users are forbidden from entering the Jinling City area. Violators will be eliminated and disposed of.]

The post instantly caused an uproar.

Numerous replies followed:

[Her Majesty the Empress is supreme! Is Her Majesty staking her claim to this territory?]

[To the poster above, Her Majesty the Empress’s territory should be in London.]

[Damn it, I just took a job in Jinling City, now I have to cancel... Can Her Majesty make an exception? I’m only going for two days to escort a valuable item to an auction.]

[Brother above... let’s cancel together. My job was to steal that item...]

The comments below were varied: some joking, some stirring the pot, others lamenting.

But no one dared to criticize openly.

Moreover, no one dismissed it as a joke.

In the Underground World, some top figures or elite teams often made such moves to claim territory.

So, it wasn’t unusual.

What puzzled people was that the Star Sky Empress’s previously assumed sphere of activity was the Britain-London area. Logically, if she were claiming territory, it should be London.

Just two years prior, the Empress had crippled the Blade Knights, then Britain’s most formidable group. At the time, everyone speculated she might be making a show of force to claim territory.

But after defeating them, the Empress had said nothing.

Annihilating a Level A team but not claiming territory—was she just fighting for sport?

Now that such a public declaration of territory was made, it wasn’t considered strange.

But... Huaxia’s Jinling City?

Had the Empress relocated?

Finally, one reply garnered unanimous agreement:

[Don’t you get it? Think about the previous statements from the newly ascended Controller, Lord Yama... Her Majesty the Empress has married into Huaxia!]

Poster: Arsonist with a Fragrant Heart.

"Is it really that amusing to keep finding these loopholes for yourself?" Lu Xixi asked, looking at Chen Nuo, who was sitting at the computer. She shook her head with a wry smile.

Chen Nuo released the mouse, turned, and smiled. "You wouldn’t understand. Showing off subtly in a crowd is one of life’s greatest pleasures."

Lu Xixi shot Chen Xiaoguo a sidelong glance; even in that look of feigned annoyance, there was a hint of flirtatious tenderness and indulgence.

Chen Nuo sighed and pulled Lu Xixi onto his lap, holding her slender waist.

Lu Xixi huffed. "So, what’s next? How are we handling this?"

"We wait a couple of days," Chen Nuo said, stretching lazily. "The post is a show of force. If they back down, they’ll contact you privately through the forum or other channels. That means a peaceful resolution.

"If they don’t contact you, it means they aren’t backing down and are determined to cause trouble.

"In that case... we’ve made our post, issued our warning, and marked our territory.

"If any Ability Users come to Jinling City after this, we’ll deal with them one by one. Find them, bury them."