30 Reunion after Seven Years (2/2)

At this moment, a young man stepped into the tavern. He was a plain-looking, thin man. His most impressive feature was his dark complexion, which rivaled that of a worn pot's charred bottom. It was even darker than Sangsang's skin.

Perhaps it was because Sangsang rarely saw anyone with skin darker than hers. She couldn't help her curiosity but keep looking at the man. When realizing that it was impolite of her, she was just about to look away, but she noticed that the man was walking towards them. That made her stiffened. She stretched her hand across her back to hold her black umbrella.

However, instead of going to them, the man found a seat at a neighboring table and ordered some dishes. Sangsang somewhat relaxed. But what she failed to notice was this dark and thin man was sitting with his back against Ning Que in close distance.

Ning Que didn't recognize the man when he stepped in. After all, they were too young when they first met in the woods in the Yan territory. Back then, this man called him Little Ning and he called the man Blackie. Years had elapsed. Ning Que was now a teenager while his peer had become an unflappable young man.

Ning Que pinched a piece of pickle with his chopsticks and placed into his mouth, chewing like a lady who was striving to hold in laughter. It was only after several chews that he realized he was chewing on pickled lettuce. He hated it, but it was Sangsang's favorite.

”Looks like you lived well these years,” he said, his glee suppressed.

Just as Sangsang's chopsticks were about to reach the edge of the pickled lettuce, a slight tinge of grumble appeared on her face. She was wondering what made the young master scramble for the pickles he liked the least. Hearing those words from Ning Que, she realized he was speaking to the dark, thin man. Her hand holding the chopsticks froze.

The shoulders of the man quivered as if he was also trying to stop himself from laughing out loud. He replied, ”Not as good as yours. Such a wicked guy like you passed the initial evaluation of the academy and even made that little girl from back then your handmaiden. You're really wicked... By the way, she seems to have forgotten about me.”

”Seven years ago, she was just a little kid. It's not as if she's a natural talent like me.” Ning Que took his bowl, responding sourly, ”Get to the point. How much information have you found out about those assholes who killed my family? Also, how much information have you found out about the scoundrels who slaughtered your village and later helped Xia Hou cover it up?”

The dark, thin young man answered, ”Everyone knows who first brought the charge of treason against Lin Guangyuan, but it was still unclear who helped to ensure the verdict. I learned that two of them were out of prison eight years ago. They still live in Chang'an and lead ordinary lives. I wonder if they regret what they did back then.”

Ning Que did not turn around. He was still contemplating. It was the young man who turned and frowned. ”Why are we sitting with our backs against each other? Why do we need to send our letters through so many middlemen? Where did you learn these tricks? Why does everything make me feel like we're spies from opposing sides exchanging information?”

Ning Que put his hand over his forehead, signing in resignation. Looking at the man's dark and earthy face, he said, ”Damn it. Didn't you say you're now designated by the Ministry of Military to go undercover in some gangs? I didn't expect your spy work to be so unprofessional.”

The dark, thin young man grinned and opened his arms wide. ”To hell with being spies! I must see with my own eyes how Sangsang and you have grown these years.”

Ning Que unwillingly opened his arms to hug the man in the gloomy corner of the shabby tavern.

The dark, thin young man was named Zhuo Er, the first friend Ning Que made in this world.

Their first encounter was a coincidence. Even the reason for their reunion was a coincidence. Thus in the span of telling two stories, they decided to be a loyal companion to each other for life.

Because they shared a similar goal: to kill Xia Hou.

Or perhaps the prince as well.