Chapter 505: Master Mao Also Has Issues
Chapter 505: Master Mao Also Has Issues
"No, he doesn't." Master Mao shook his head and turned to Tie Kaicheng. "You're still young, so you may have heard of him, but you didn't live through his era."
Tie Kaicheng's eyebrows rose inquisitively. "So?"
"So that's why you're fearless and dare to tease him." Master Mao explained. "He won't stoop to your level anyway."
Sun Xingyu huffed, but Master Mao didn't seem to mind. He simply said indifferently, "I know Iron Escort Leader's swordsmanship is formidable, but he's still too young."
Frowning, Sun Xingyu retorted, "He became famous much earlier than our Escort Leader."
"He's different." Master Mao shook his head and then looked at Xie Xiaofeng with a sigh. "He's different from everyone."
Pain flashed in Xie Xiaofeng's eyes as he asked, "You've had a hard time these past years, haven't you?"
Master Mao shook his head. "You've had it hard too."
After a moment of silence, Xie Xiaofeng finally asked, "How is she?"
A faint smile appeared on Master Mao's face. "Are you still thinking about her?"
"I have to," Xie Xiaofeng replied.
"Why?" Master Mao asked.
"Because I wronged her, and I wronged you," Xie Xiaofeng sighed.
"Nonsense!" Master Mao suddenly shouted. "You only wronged her, but you never wronged me!"
Xie Xiaofeng fell silent once more.
Even Sun Xingyu, let alone the big boss, was filled with curiosity. Seeing Tie Kaicheng's eager anticipation, she couldn't help but feel itchy. In a low voice, she asked, "What exactly is their relationship?"
Stroking his chin, Tie Kaicheng mused, "Probably... maybe... perhaps... it seems... it could be considered a love triangle?"
"Love triangle?" Sun Xingyu was astonished. She glanced at Xie Xiaofeng and then at Master Mao. "They're from two different generations, aren't they?"
Master Mao turned to Sun Xingyu. "How old do you think I am?"
Unafraid, Sun Xingyu spoke her mind. "You must be almost sixty. Did you marry an eighteen-year-old girl when you were fifty, and then have her stolen away?"
Master Mao smiled but remained silent, so Xie Xiaofeng spoke for him. "No, I'm thirty-two this year, and he's only three years older than me."
Everyone present was stunned. Sun Xingyu's eyes widened. "He's only thirty-five?"
Master Mao nodded. "I'm only thirty-five."
Sun Xingyu drew in a breath, finally understanding why Xie Xiaofeng had been so surprised when he saw Master Mao earlier. Ten years ago, Master Mao was only twenty-five and undoubtedly a graceful and accomplished young swordsman.
Indeed, a lot had changed in ten years.
"Why did he become like this?" Sun Xingyu turned to Tie Kaicheng. "Is it because of that love triangle?"
"Absolutely," Tie Kaicheng's voice lowered, yet it carried across the entire hall. "It's a story of two men and one woman, but the choices made by this woman and these two men are quite different from what you usually read in storybooks."
"How so?" Sun Xingyu asked.
Tie Kaicheng clicked his tongue. "This is their dark history. If I tell you, they might join forces to kill me."
Xie Xiaofeng spoke calmly. "There's nothing that can't be said. I just eloped with his wife before they could marry."
Everyone in the room gasped. Xie Xiaofeng continued, "I had gone to offer my congratulations sincerely, but on the second night after their betrothal, I ran away with his bride-to-be.
"Only half a month?" The big boss was flabbergasted. He had just witnessed Master Mao's formidable martial arts skills, and now he couldn't believe that someone would dare to kidnap such a powerful man's fiancee, only to abandon her after a mere half-month of fun. "Why would you do such a thing?"
Xie Xiaofeng's expression remained impassive as he answered, "Because I felt like it."
The big boss was so astonished that he almost forgot about the danger he was currently in. "So, as long as it amuses you, there's nothing you wouldn't do?"
Xie Xiaofeng responded indifferently, "Yes."
Only now did Xie Xiaofeng resemble the dashing young master of the Xie family from years ago.
Back then, Xie Xiaofeng was unparalleled in the world. He carried himself with an air of arrogance, looking down on everyone and fearing no one. He believed that no one could match his prowess, and the women of the martial arts world were his for the taking.
His prestigious identity, coupled with his pride and confidence, was like a love gu (a poison that induces obsessive love)
to the women around him. They devoted themselves to him utterly, believing that Xie Xiaofeng embodied the very essence of a man.
Even in his current state of apparent decline, it was merely by his own choice. There must be a reason for his actions, and if he so desired, he could easily return to being that dazzling, unparalleled man who shone like the sun!
Compared to Xie Xiaofeng in his prime, Mao Yiyun and Xiahou Xing were like insignificant fireflies in the presence of a radiant full moon. It was no wonder that Murong Qiudai was willing to elope with him, and that Xue Keren felt repulsed by Xiahou Xing.
Tie Kaicheng couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. Such drama, he thought, was not uncommon even in modern society!
Xie Xiaofeng's current state captivated Sun Xingyu as well, and she found herself stealing glances at him, silently agreeing with Xue Keren and Jin Lanhua's sentiments. Perhaps they felt the same way she did when she beheld Tie Kaicheng's unparalleled splendor.
Of course, Tie Kaicheng was no saint either, but when it came to martial arts prowess, demeanor, and cunning, who in the world could compare to him?
The big boss looked back and forth between the indifferent Xie Xiaofeng and the anguished Master Mao, feeling as if his brain was about to fry. "So that's why he ended up like this over the past ten years!"
For anyone, having their bride-to-be snatched away was an immense humiliation. The constant grief and anger would undoubtedly wear down one's mental fortitude and accelerate the aging process.
But there was something the big boss still didn't understand. "If that's the case, why didn't he kill you just now?"
The big boss blinked, then added after a moment's thought, "Does he want to torture you slowly?"
"Nonsense!" Master Mao rebuked sharply once more before turning to Xie Xiaofeng, his eyes filled with a myriad of emotions. "You should know why I became what I am today."
Master Mao clenched his fists tightly. "I don't hate you. I hate myself, and that's why I've tortured myself like this."
Xie Xiaofeng closed his eyes and slowly nodded. "I understand."
Master Mao asked again, "Can you forgive me?"
Xie Xiaofeng nodded once more. "I forgave you a long time ago."
A weight seemed to lift from Master Mao's shoulders as he exhaled deeply, his entire body relaxing. "Thank you..."
The big boss, Chu Er, and Sun Xingyu were all stunned.
Sun Xingyu turned to Tie Kaicheng, confusion written on her face. "What's going on with him?"
Tie Kaicheng popped another peanut into his mouth and commented nonchalantly, "He's got a few screws loose, too."
(End of Chapter)
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