Chapter 1367: Not Necessarily a Bad Thing
Yang Haoran's question brought a look of hesitation to Old Master Wu's face. Yang Haoran did not press him, instead taking a final drag from his cigarette before pressing the butt into the ashtray.
By the time he finished all this, Old Master Wu had also made his decision, the hesitation vanishing from his face.
"Heh heh, it's not about official business I need to report to you, Boss, but rather something personal."
Old Master Wu said with a chuckle. Hearing this, Yang Haoran's smile remained unchanged.
"What personal matter, Old Wu? Please speak freely. Has Xiaoxiao gotten into some trouble, or does Wu Senior need my help with something?"
Yang Haoran asked with a smile. Over the years, Yang Haoran had helped both Wu Xiaoxiao and Old Master Wu's eldest son, Wu Senior, a great deal, both openly and discreetly. Now that Old Master Wu mentioned a personal matter, these two were the first people who came to his mind.
In Yang Haoran's Ninth District, it was no exaggeration to describe Old Master Wu's status as second only to one, but above ten thousand. However, he had never abused his power. Even when his own family members needed assistance in certain areas, he had never resorted to such means. Instead, he would directly explain the situation to Yang Haoran and seek his help.
Given Old Master Wu's identity and status in the Ninth District, even if he didn't approach Yang Haoran, these issues could still be resolved. His choice to seek out Yang Haoran naturally stemmed from Old Master Wu's own considerations.
Old Master Wu said with a smile. Upon hearing this, a hint of confusion appeared on Yang Haoran's face. If it wasn't about those two, then who was it about?
Old Master Wu noticed the confusion on Yang Haoran's face. He didn't deliberately keep him in suspense, nor did he wait for Yang Haoran to ask again, but continued speaking.
"This personal matter concerns you, Boss. Your subordinate has been with you for so many years, and I flatter myself that I understand you quite well. That's why I can see that you are very downcast. Especially when I just entered the study, I not only sensed your low spirits, but also saw that you were very tired. You previously went to Xu Guardian's Guardian District, was it perhaps because that trip yielded no results?"
Old Master Wu's words held no sarcasm, nor any schadenfreude. There was only genuine concern. This concern was palpable not only to Yang Haoran, but even a completely unrelated stranger would have sensed the deep concern in Old Master Wu's tone for Yang Haoran.
Precisely because Yang Haoran could feel Old Master Wu's concern, he felt no dissatisfaction despite Old Master Wu suddenly bringing up the matter. After all, anyone who brought up this matter in front of him now would be sprinkling salt on his raw wound.
Although Yang Haoran felt no dissatisfaction, he was still taken aback by Old Master Wu's sudden concern. His seemingly composed smile then twisted into a bitter one.
"This trip to Xiaojing's Guardian District not only yielded no results, but made things even worse. She has no intention of forgiving me at all, and won't even give me a chance to explain. My desire to gain her forgiveness is harder than ascending to heaven. At least, that's how it appears from the current situation."
Yang Haoran's tone was helpless. His smile was somewhat bitter. Feeling dejected, he lit another cigarette for himself. After taking a deep drag, he exhaled heavily, as if trying to expel all the gloom in his heart along with the smoke.
"Alas," Old Master Wu offered comfort, "I understand Xu Guardian's personality to some extent. It is indeed very difficult for her to let go of this matter. However, where there's a will, there's a way. Boss, as long as you don't give up, you will surely find a way and an opportunity to resolve this. Furthermore, as long as you persevere, I believe you will eventually be able to move Xu Guardian. Even the most hard-hearted person cannot resist years of persistent warmth."
Old Master Wu offered comfort. Yang Haoran merely smiled bitterly, took another deep drag from his cigarette, and said nothing. Old Master Wu observed this. He knew his words of comfort hadn't had much effect. So he thought for a moment, then tentatively asked Yang Haoran.
"Boss, why don't I go speak to Xu Guardian? Although my standing in her eyes is far from yours, I've built up a certain amount of goodwill with her over the years. Xu Guardian is currently in a fit of pique, and it's understandable that she doesn't want to hear your explanation. Perhaps if someone else interceded, it might have an unexpected effect."
Old Master Wu offered his suggestion. Yang Haoran, however, shook his head after hearing it, appearing disinclined to take Old Master Wu's advice.
"Heh heh, no need to waste your effort. If even I can't do it, then no one else will certainly be able to. I know Xiaojing's personality well. I can guarantee that. If you go to Xiaojing, not only will you fail to achieve your goal, but you'll inevitably be humiliated by her. It's fine if I'm the only one left in an awkward position, I don't want you all to lose face with me. Ultimately, this matter is my fault. That day, I put Xiaojing in an untenable situation, so it's only right that she puts me in one now."
Saying this, Yang Haoran paused slightly, flicked the ash from his cigarette, took a deep breath, and continued with a bitter smile.
"However, if my relationship with Xiaojing cannot be mended and returned to its original state, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. If you look at this issue from a different perspective, it could actually be a good thing."
Yang Haoran's words utterly confused Old Master Wu, as he truly hadn't expected Yang Haoran to say such a thing. Perhaps others might think Yang Haoran's words hinted at self-abandonment, but he understood Yang Haoran's character. Yang Haoran never used self-abandonment as a way to escape problems. Instead, he always sought ways to resolve them.
Although he could hear the helplessness in Yang Haoran's tone as he spoke, he was certain it had nothing to do with self-abandonment. Yang Haoran must have other plans.
"Alright, let's leave this matter between Xiaojing and me as it is for now. Years from now, once my plan is perfectly executed, her anger should have subsided. Then, I will find a way to apologize to her, until she accepts. For now, this rift in our relationship will actually be a form of protection for her."
Old Master Wu was still trying to make sense of Yang Haoran's previous words, and Yang Haoran's subsequent remarks confused him even more.
Regarding this, Yang Haoran offered no explanation, and Old Master Wu did not ask.
After Old Master Wu left, Yang Haoran prepared to meet Luo Yao, the Great Emperor. He intended to report on the enormous hidden dangers currently present within the Demon Hunter Guild and the Underworld Division. He wanted to gauge Luo Yao's attitude.
Originally, this matter was secondary. He had another, more important reason for deciding to meet Luo Yao: he hoped Luo Yao could mediate the relationship between him and Xu Meijing.
Luo Yao was different from others. After all, Luo Yao was the Great Emperor of Jingling Continent, and also his and Xu Meijing's direct superior. If Luo Yao were to intervene and mediate, in his opinion, even if his relationship with Xu Meijing couldn't be reconciled in the short term, it shouldn't continue to deteriorate. And Luo Yao certainly wouldn't refuse his request, because in the current intense and difficult situation with the Tong Continent Underworld Division, Luo Yao surely wouldn't want to see the two of them continue to be at odds. Putting aside the personal relational troubles, easing the tension between him and Xu Meijing would actually be helping Luo Yao himself. Therefore, he didn't believe Luo Yao would reject his request.
However, after a careful consideration just now, he suddenly felt that a strained relationship with Xu Meijing might not necessarily be a bad thing. This way, he would have far fewer qualms when proceeding with his upcoming plans. Therefore, he decided to give up on having Luo Yao mediate. Although making this decision pained him greatly, for the sake of long-term considerations, and to prevent Xu Meijing from falling into a dangerous situation, he resolutely made this choice.
In other words, he originally had two reasons for meeting Luo Yao. Now, due to the needs of his plan, it had become only one.
As for whether to tell Luo Yao this time that Boss Huo was very likely the mastermind behind the disruption of his and Xu Meijing's wedding, Yang Haoran had no such intention. Because he hadn't yet gathered enough evidence. If he told Luo Yao now, Luo Yao, considering the bigger picture, would certainly do things he didn't want to see happen.
In order not to "wake the snake by beating the grass," he decided not to tell Luo Yao about this matter for now. Only when he had collected all the evidence and secured Luo Yao, when the "raw rice had been cooked into a meal," would it be the best time to tell Luo Yao!
Night God Under the Moon
Comments