Chapter 143: But I Am Your Own Nephew-in-Law

Wen Mubai gritted his teeth. He truly did not dare to gamble; this man was a lunatic. If he refused to go, the man would surely expose his identity to Banxia.

After washing the dishes with simmering resentment, his expression had returned to normal by the time he stepped out of the kitchen.

After the meal and a brief rest, the group was supervised by Old Mrs. Tang as they exercised in the courtyard. Not even Old Mr. Tang was spared. Only when the old lady was satisfied did the group feel as if they had been granted a reprieve.

"Qingfeng, it's getting late. You should all stay the night and head back tomorrow morning," Old Mrs. Tang said. "Just stay in Meiyun's room."

The Tang family courtyard was spacious, and there were more than enough rooms, so Bai Qingfeng did not refuse. With Old Mrs. Tang, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, present, there was no chance for anyone to stay up late. By nine o'clock, everyone had returned to their respective rooms.

Wen Mubai was sleeping in Tang Banxia's room, which was filled with a girlish charm. There was an iron-framed bed, floral bedsheets, and a dressing table topped with some face cream, hair ties, and scattered trinkets. What caught Wen Mubai’s attention, however, was a pair of ceramic dolls on the corner of the table.

They were a boy and a girl, looking adorably simple and honest. He picked up the girl doll and stroked it affectionately. This was the room where his wife had grown up; thinking of this, his entire demeanor softened. It was as if he could see a young girl before him, sleeping, dressing up, laughing, and playing—exceptionally delicate and endearing. He curled his lips into a smile, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

When he woke up the next day, Bai Qingfeng and his wife had already left. After finishing the breakfast left for him and playing a game of chess with Old Mr. Tang, Wen Mubai said, "Grandpa, I’m going out for a walk."

"Go on, go on," Old Mr. Tang gestured with his hand. "Will you be back for lunch?"

"No," Wen Mubai shook his head.

Old Mr. Tang glanced at him upon hearing this but said nothing, only adding a brief, "Be careful."

"I will."

Stepping out of the Tang family courtyard, he headed in a specific direction. He seemed very familiar with the capital, weaving through the hutongs until he reached a low-slung house. With a complex expression, he stood for a long while before knocking on the door.

The door opened, and a woman in her thirties poked her head out. Upon seeing Wen Mubai, she was puzzled for a moment before crying out in surprise, "Xiaobai?"

"Auntie Xun." Seeing a familiar face, Wen Mubai was genuinely pleased.

"Is it really you, Xiaobai?" Auntie Xun looked him over carefully. "I haven't seen you in so long; your auntie thought you… you…" Her voice choked slightly.

"Aren't I standing right here in one piece?" Wen Mubai laughed and spun around. "Is Master Bai here?"

"Yes, yes, he arrived a while ago, said he was waiting for someone." Auntie Xun hurriedly led him into the courtyard. "So, he was waiting for you."

Wen Mubai did not deny it.

This was a private little restaurant, the kind that only served regular customers, founded by veterans who had been medically discharged from the Dragon Squad. To support the business, members of the Dragon Squad would invariably choose to gather here.

Auntie Xun led Wen Mubai to a private room. "Master Bai is in here. I won't go in. You two talk; I'll go make you something good. The usual?"

"Yes, thank you, Auntie Xun," Wen Mubai said, his demeanor gentle and polite.

Auntie Xun teased, "Don't be so formal with me~ Just wait."

"Okay."

As he turned, his smile faded. He pushed open the door. Bai Qingfeng looked over and waved. "Come in."

Wen Mubai kept his face cold as he sat opposite him. "What is it?"

"Not going to catch up?" Bai Qingfeng laughed.

"No need. If you have something to say, say it!" Wen Mubai did not want to get entangled; he had no desire to return to being "Wolf Bai."

"How heartless," Bai Qingfeng sighed softly. "Truly a white-eyed wolf."

Wen Mubai said nothing, staring straight at him.

Bai Qingfeng replied, "Fine, since I’m the one asking for a favor."

Hearing this, Wen Mubai became instantly vigilant, his hackles rising. Whenever this man was easy to talk to, there was inevitably a trap; this was from his own hard-won experience.

"The little wolf cub is bristling~" Bai Qingfeng joked. "Still just as cute."

Wen Mubai urged him silently: "Spit it out!"

"Vulgar," Bai Qingfeng said calmly. "Does my niece know this side of you?"

"I’m warning you, don't mess with my wife!" Wen Mubai was highly defensive.

"What are you thinking?" Bai Qingfeng picked up a peanut and flicked it at him. "That is my own niece."

Wen Mubai dodged it. "And I am your niece's husband, but I haven't seen you go easy on me."

Bai Qingfeng glanced at him faintly. This kid had become much more lively; it seemed his niece deserved the credit.

Wen Mubai sat up straight. "Hurry up." Whenever he was alone with this man, he felt uncomfortable all over.

After teasing him for a bit, Bai Qingfeng got to the point. "I’m not here for you today, mainly. It’s about Banxia."

Seeing Wen Mubai about to flare up again, Bai Qingfeng gave him a look. Wen Mubai wisely kept quiet; when this man stopped smiling, it meant he was serious, and he didn't want to tweak the tiger's whiskers.

Just as they were talking, Auntie Xun knocked on the door, and Bai Qingfeng paused.

"Squirrel-fish, sweet and sour pork tenderloin, vegetarian shredded trio, and a pig stomach chicken soup—all set." Auntie Xun entered carrying a large tray.

Wen Mubai hurried to take it from her. Auntie Xun smiled and let him handle it. After serving the dishes and bringing a pot of wine, she tactfully closed the door.

Once she left, Bai Qingfeng continued, "You know the situation in the squad. Someone like Yu Xun—she only lost a leg; she’s still one of the lucky ones."

At the mention of this, Wen Mubai’s expression grew grave.

Bai Qingfeng poured himself a glass of wine. "There are others who are completely unable to care for themselves; their lives are very difficult."

The Dragon Squad, while called a sharp blade of the nation, was more accurately its dark hand. They did all the dirty and exhausting work, and they could never tell anyone about it. After being wounded or disabled, there would be a large pension—often more generous than others—but that was equivalent to a buyout. Once the money was taken, everything regarding the Dragon Squad had nothing to do with that person ever again. Furthermore, if the organization discovered someone had leaked the squad's secrets, they would not hesitate to eliminate them. That was why the Dragon Squad could serve as a sharp blade.

Inside the organization, they believed in the rule of strength, not sentiment. There was only the mission.

Bai Qingfeng was the team leader of Dragon Heart, known as Master Bai. Wen Mubai was a member of Dragon Heart, known as Wolf Bai, nicknamed "Wolf Cub." Both knew the cruelty of the Dragon Squad, which was why Wen Mubai had fought with his life to quit, and why Bai Qingfeng had turned a blind eye, indulging him for once. After all, this was a cub he had watched grow up; he was different from the others.

"I know Banxia is gifted in medicine, so I want to hire her as an external doctor for Dragon Heart," Bai Qingfeng stated his goal. Doctors were in short supply at any time, especially in an organization like theirs; they were the most cherished existence. Moreover, doctors generally had low combat capability, leading to a high attrition rate, yet they were indispensable.

"Impossible!" Wen Mubai stood up abruptly. "That is absolutely impossible!" He had seen the attrition rate of doctors in the Dragon Squad with his own eyes; he would never let his wife step into this quagmire.

"I said external—a doctor to treat the brothers who have retired," Bai Qingfeng said, not angry, and explained, "She is my niece, after all." He repeated it again.

If he dared to drag his niece to her death, his own wife would never forgive him! What was this kid thinking?

Wen Mubai felt a bit awkward and sat down sheepishly. "You didn't say that earlier." He tried to shift the blame.

Bai Qingfeng didn't hold it against him. "Do you have a way?"

His own identity could absolutely not be exposed; otherwise, would he really need to go through this kid?

On this point, Wen Mubai actually did have a way. He stared straight at Bai Qingfeng. "I do, but there is a price to pay~"

Bai Qingfeng’s brows twitched. Could this kid be thinking of…

"Master Bai is so clever. My wife's parents are still suffering, you know." Wen Mubai revealed a beautiful smile.