Chapter 42: Li Xiaoyun's Combat Power

"It's getting late," Mother Li said, glancing out the window. "Xiangyang, walk Xiaoyun back to the educated youth quarters."

Li Xiangyang nodded and picked up the padded jacket hanging on the wall. "Xiaoyun, let's go."

Under the moonlight, the two of them walked side by side, holding hands along the path leading back to the educated youth quarters.

After walking for a while, Li Xiangyang suddenly stopped and looked at Li Xiaoyun with a somewhat embarrassed expression. "Xiaoyun, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Li Xiaoyun stopped as well, looking directly into his eyes.

"You know that a few days ago, Su Yan came to see me," Li Xiangyang said, meeting her gaze. "She begged me to help her return to the city."

The hand Li Xiaoyun had placed in his tightened slightly. "And then?"

"And then, you know what she's like—she'd promise anything just to get back to the city. Of course, I didn't kick her while she was down or take advantage of the situation to agree to what she asked..."

"However, I did agree to help her return to the city. Not for any other reason, but simply to bring closure to that past chapter. Uncle Wang said he could help, so I figured I'd help her this one last time, and after that, we'll be completely square."

"Besides, I think it's better for her to go back to the city so she won't keep tangling with me in the future. The city has a bigger stage, enough for her to display her talents, and from now on, she and I will have nothing to do with each other."

Li Xiaoyun remained silent for a moment, then asked softly, "Why tell me?"

"Since we're going to be together," Li Xiangyang said earnestly, "I don't want to keep any secrets from you. Besides, if you heard about this from someone else later on, what would you think?"

Li Xiaoyun looked into Li Xiangyang's eyes and suddenly smiled. "You fool. If you still had feelings for her, you wouldn't have told me this. But the fact that you're telling me proves that you're serious about me."

"So you're not angry?"

"What's there to be angry about?" Li Xiaoyun gently tapped him on the chest. "The fact that you can think this way just shows that you're a loyal and affectionate person. However, you still don't understand women at all."

"It's a good thing you chose me to be your partner. If it were anyone else, whoever you dated, Su Yan could use this matter to manipulate you. She would have driven people away from your side, believe me or not?"

"All right, after all, she and I used to be best friends, so let's just leave it at that. By the way, in the future, if you encounter something like this, whether it's Su Yan or any other woman, you have to tell me."

Li Xiangyang gripped her hand tightly. "That goes without saying. From now on, I'll consult with you on everything I do."

The two smiled at each other and continued on their way.

Down the mountain, the courtyard of the educated youth quarters was still lit up, clearly showing that everyone had not yet gone to sleep.

Just as Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun reached the entrance, they heard voices coming from inside.

The moment the door was pushed open, the conversation inside came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone's eyes focused on the two of them, especially on their intertwined hands.

"Xiaoyun, you... you..." Zhang Li stammered, too surprised to finish her sentence.

"Xiangyang and I are dating now," Li Xiaoyun admitted openly, her tone calm and steady.

"When did this happen?" someone asked with curiosity.

"Today."

"Today?" Su Yan suddenly stood up, her voice laced with a sharp edge. "Li Xiaoyun, have you no shame? Stealing my man?"

"Your man?" Li Xiaoyun sneered. "Su Yan, did you get something mixed up? Xiangyang hasn't had anything to do with you for a long time, and besides, you brought this on yourself."

"You... you..." Su Yan's face turned pale with anger.

"What about me?" Li Xiaoyun stared right at Su Yan. "When you were flirting with Wang Ming, why didn't you feel any shame? Now you want to lecture me about morality?"

"I... I was just..." Su Yan stammered.

"Just what? Playing the field with two boats at once? When one capsides, you still have a backup plan?"

Li Xiaoyun exposed her motives without the slightest bit of politeness. "Don't think nobody else sees what's on your mind. What? Now that Wang Ming's boat has capsized, you want to pick Xiangyang back up? Get it straight, Su Yan, not every good thing in this world is meant to fall into your lap."

This speech made everyone present nod in silent agreement.

Indeed, everyone had witnessed Su Yan's previous behavior with their own eyes.

"You... you..." Su Yan's eyes turned red.

"Crying?" Li Xiaoyun gave a cold snort. "What do you have to cry about? I'm not a man, I don't fall for that routine. Besides, back when Xiangyang was treating you so well, why didn't you cherish it? If you had ever invested even a shred of genuine sincerity..."

"I was sincere back then too..." Su Yan defended herself with a crying tone.

"Sincerity?" Li Xiaoyun's voice carried a hint of mockery. "If you had ever given any, how come you wore a long face the moment you heard Xiangyang didn't catch any game? You did those things, is it really that hard to own up to them now? Why put on this act of deep affection? Don't make me look down on you even more."

"What do you know?" Su Yan bit her lip. "I did it for his own good! If I hadn't forced him to go hunting, would he have the skills he has today?"

"Oh, my," Li Xiaoyun sneered. "You make it sound like he learned how to hunt just for your sake. Then why don't you tell us whose belly all the game he caught ended up in?"

"He was more than willing to give it to me!" Su Yan raised her voice. "I didn't force him!"

"Willing?" Li Xiaoyun's voice suddenly dropped to a chill. "When his little sister was running around in rags and his mother couldn't even get a piece of meat to eat, what were you doing? Hiding in the room with Wang Ming eating and drinking like royalty?"

These words hit like a knife, striking straight at Su Yan's weak spot. "You... you're talking nonsense! Wang Ming and I are completely innocent!"

"Innocent?" Li Xiaoyun scoffed. "You might be for now, but if he were able to help you return to the city, would you dare say you wouldn't offer him your body in return?"

"So what if I would?" Su Yan suddenly stiffened her neck. "Who here doesn't want to return to the city? Who is holier than anyone else?"

"Don't tell me you don't want to go back. If you want me to admit it, fine, I'll admit it. Come on, tell me the truth. If you had the chance, wouldn't you make the same choice as me?" Su Yan's eyes welled up with tears. "What right do you have to judge me? Aren't you just looking at the fact that he's capable now..."

"Su Yan, what am I supposed to admit? It's just an opportunity to return to the city; believe me or not, I don't even care for it that much," Li Xiaoyun interrupted her. "If I were really after Xiangyang's current competence, back when he used to run over to your place every single day, didn't I have plenty of chances? Do you really think I'm that much inferior to you?"

Once these words were spoken, the people present nodded in recognition; it was indeed true.

At first glance, Li Xiaoyun might not have been as stunningly striking as Su Yan, but she had the kind of beauty that grew on you.

Of course, her sharp tongue was the reason nobody had ever wanted to get close to her.

That was precisely why, in the past, she had paired up with Su Yan—who was equally unliked—as best friends.

Back when Li Xiangyang was fiercely pursuing Su Yan, Li Xiaoyun had never once given him a pleasant look, and every time she saw him, she would hurl harsh words right at him.

Therefore, Li Xiaoyun's words carried a great deal of persuasive power.

The crowd nodded in consensus one after another.

"I..." Su Yan finally found herself at a loss for words.

"All right," Li Xiaoyun waved her hand. "If you still have even a shred of conscience left, stop coming to bother Xiangyang. The path you chose is yours, so don't look back. By the way, since we were best friends once, I've agreed to let Xiangyang help you return to the city, so you can rest easy about that."

Su Yan could no longer hold it in; she covered her face with her hands and ran out sobbing.