Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1007 What Exactly Is the Relationship

Chapter 1007: Chapter 1007 What Exactly Is the Relationship

In the room, Jian Shen had been cultivating his Qi to aid his recovery, and was already much better. His complexion had also improved significantly, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

Lu Bei watched quietly from the side, arms folded, leaning against the doorframe, and then said indifferently, "How do you feel?"

"Much better. I owe a lot to Qian Ye for this period; otherwise, my recovery wouldn’t have been so swift." After saying this, Jian Shen couldn’t help but sigh, "They say I have talent, but I never expected that mastering a higher-level mental method would be so difficult, and I’ve almost succumbed to demonic deviation several times."

Lu Bei spoke again, faintly, "I’m not talking about that."

Hearing this, Jian Shen’s expression turned slightly unpleasant as he retorted, "You and I have been good friends for many years. Say what you want to say."

Lu Bei’s expression turned more solemn, "Today, upon hearing the name Gu Fan, Qian Ye’s reaction... didn’t you find it strange? It was as if she was willing to disregard everything, even her life, just to find this person named Gu Fan. And I’ve seen Qian Ye act like this before—when you’re in danger, she reacts the same way."

"Enough, stop it..." Jian Shen stood up, his face impassive.

But Lu Bei insisted, "I know you don’t like to hear this, but you’re aware in your heart that there’s definitely something out of the ordinary between Gu Fan and Qian Ye. I concede that Qian Ye really loves you, but it’s possible that while she loves you, she could also be loving another person."

"That’s enough. I trust Qian Ye, I believe in everything we’ve experienced together." Jian Shen’s expression remained neutral, as if he couldn’t hear what was being said.

"Fine, since you don’t want to listen, I won’t say any more." Lu Bei did trust in the relationship between Jian Shen and Qian Ye, but he couldn’t help but think about Gu Fan going to great lengths to inquire about Qian Ye’s whereabouts, and how Qian Ye became utterly disconcerted at the mention of Gu Fan’s name.

"Alright, you should rest early." With that, Lu Bei turned to leave.

Jian Shen called out to Lu Bei, "Tell me, what kind of person is this Gu Fan?"

Lu Bei slowly turned around, his expression growing even more solemn, "In this Martial Arts Competition, there were a total of sixty-four skilled fighters, and his martial arts were the least proficient. The leader of Xuanjian Sect had the best skills, yet the one with the weakest martial arts made it to the final bout alongside the one with the strongest, creating an unprecedented situation in the history of the Martial Arts Competition."

Jian Shen was still incredulous, "The least proficient in martial arts, how could he possibly win all the way?"

"This is what I find so unusual about Gu Fan. I believe he fully exploited the Xuanjian Sect leader and the bookmakers’ focus on the odds of the Martial Arts Competition outcomes to achieve his own goals." As he spoke, Lu Bei’s face darkened, "I think that long ago, Gu Fan realized that his win against Iron Wall Fist Valley Tong was strange, and after following the clues, he found out that it was the Xuanjian Sect leader and the bookmakers who were manipulating the outcomes. That’s when he figured out how to win."

"Unable to win honorably on the stage, so he resorts to tricks?" Jian Shen’s eyes showed a hint of disdain.

Lu Bei thought hard for a moment, then said, "Indeed, Gu Fan employed cunning strategies to win, but it’s precisely for this reason that I find him inscrutable. Besides, even if someone else knew the secrets behind the Martial Arts Competition, not everyone would be able to use that knowledge to win consecutively."

Jian Shen fell silent, arms still folded, eyes closed, deep in thought.

Lu Bei decided not to bother anymore, but just as he was about to leave, he suddenly realized something was wrong. He patted his chest and immediately turned pale with shock, "Oh no, oh no, my ancestral jade stone is gone. Help me look for it."

"Your ancestral jade stone." Jian Shen saw Lu Bei turning the place upside down, so he came over to help.

After searching for a while, Jian Shen found a piece of pure white jade carved with a lifelike landscape, a rare masterpiece.

"Is this it?" Jian Shen handed the white jade to Lu Bei who hurriedly took it and carefully put it around his neck, "Thanks, brother. This has been passed down in my family for generations. It’s said to protect me and keep me safe."

"Really? But with your doomsayer habits, this jade stone doesn’t seem to have done anything," Jian Shen said, sounding unconvinced. Lu Bei explained, "I don’t know why, but ever since I started wearing this jade stone, I turned into a doomsayer, yet every time, no matter what kind of bad luck I faced, I always came through without harm. It’s strange, isn’t it?"

Jian Shen couldn’t help but chuckle and teased, "Clearly, you’re just a doomsayer yourself, and you insist on blaming the jade stone. If the jade stone could speak up, it would certainly protest."

"Alright, I won’t joke with you anymore. You better get some rest," Lu Bei said, then left.

Now alone, Jian Shen was engulfed by a cold, somber feeling, sinking into confusion again. Looking up at the starry sky, he couldn’t help but ask himself what the relationship between Gu Fan and Qian Ye would be and what this person’s arrival would bring him.

While Jian Shen was sighing, he noticed an additional figure in the room. The figure’s silent and unnoticeable appearance, not triggering Jian Shen’s alertness, indicated that their martial arts skills were above Jian Shen’s.

"Is it you?" Jian Shen stared intently at the figure in the mysterious mask, his entire body tensed, readying for combat, and asked another question, "What are you here for?"

"Relax, if I had hostile intentions, I would have attacked already," the figure with the mysterious mask stood with hands behind their back, appearing calm, confident, and annoyingly in control.

Then, the figure in the mysterious mask added lightly, "You must be very confused right now, wondering who Gu Fan really is and why he causes such a strong reaction in Qian Ye."

*****

At that very moment, within another room, Lin Xi was silently crying. She had her own difficulties, unable to leave, yet worried sick.

"Gu Fan, you must have heard about Jian Shen and Qian Ye’s situation, so that’s why you asked Lu Bei about Jian Shen’s whereabouts, right? Didn’t you participate in the Martial Arts Competition, endure injuries all over, surely to become the leader of Martial Arts so you could find me when you heard my name? Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. But you must believe me, I am only making up for the regrets of my past life; I haven’t done anything to wrong you. I know who I am; I am Lin Xi, not Qian Ye." Lin Xi didn’t know what was happening to her; her heart was in such a conflict. She feared that leaving would mean failing to address her past life’s regrets, yet worried about what Gu Fan might be thinking.

After a long while, Lin Xi wiped away her tears, determined to no longer hesitate or be confused. She resolved to hold firm to her identity because even if she couldn’t make up for the regrets of her past life, she had to see Gu Fan. She might let down Jian Shen, but she couldn’t fail Gu Fan.

It was late now, and Lin Xi felt she couldn’t simply leave without saying goodbye. At the very least, she should say something to Jian Shen and the others tomorrow, difficult as it might be to speak.