RMM -Chapter 173 Loyal, Courageous, and Resourceful

Time passed quickly. Days and months often slipped away in the blink of an eye.

When Su Ruo’s child had grown strong and healthy in her womb, over eight months along, both the Xi and Su families became even more tense.

To be precise, it was a mix of tension and anticipation.

Our Mrs. Xi, the wife of the esteemed Colonel Xi, was about to achieve perfection in her endeavors—it was only a matter of waiting for the arrival of this little Xi “tailwind.”

Far away in Province D, Xi Yuechen was far from idle as well. By now, he had become a trusted confidant who frequently accompanied Bai Xiong.

Ever since that attack, it came as no surprise that Xi Yuechen had become one of Bai Xiong’s most favored young men. Not only had Bai Xiong, after being discharged from the hospital, insisted on having him sent to the mountaintop villa to recover, but he had also publicly praised Cheng Yue in front of many, calling him an outstanding talent and saying it would be a pity not to cultivate such a person.

Tsk, who couldn’t see through this? Between the lines, Bai Xiong clearly valued Cheng Yue and intended to make him a close confidant.

Although many were unwilling to accept this, what could they do? Cheng Yue had saved the big brother, and fortune had smiled on him. They could protest all they wanted, but in the Yan Sect, the big brother’s word was law—and this was backed by indisputable evidence.

So, suddenly, many people began vying to curry favor with Xi Yuechen. They came one after another, causing him endless annoyance, but he had no choice but to put on a good face and deal with them.

Of course, after being discharged, Xi Yuechen firmly refused Bai Xiong’s suggestion to recuperate at the mountaintop villa.

Why go there? Living under someone else’s roof meant being cautious all the time. On top of that, it was inconvenient for him to call Su Ruo—this alone was enough for Xi Yuechen to remain resolute.

Bai Xiong agreed to let him stay at his own home to recover, though people would come by occasionally to check on him. After nearly a month, Xi Yuechen had fully healed.

From then on, he frequently entered and exited Bai Xiong’s villa and was often seen by his side.

Xi Yuechen became even more cautious in his actions, leaving no trace of carelessness. Even as Bai Xiong regarded him differently, he remained as polite and refined in dealing with others as ever. Soon, he earned a good reputation throughout the Yan Sect, and wherever he went, people gave him at least some respect.

While Xi Yuechen was secretly by Bai Xiong’s side, the action team was also on high alert, ready to strike at any moment.

As early as his discharge, Xi Yuechen had given Gao Yunxiao orders for the action team to remain on standby.

Now they were just waiting for the right opportunity—a chance for the action team to strike like thunder.

So Xi Yuechen exercised even more patience, calm and unhurried, quietly waiting for the opportunity.

“Cheng Yue.”

Xi Yuechen was chatting idly with Liu Qi when he heard Bai Xiong call his name. He promptly responded.

“Brother Liu, I’ll go over first. Let’s continue our chat later,” he said as he stood up.

Liu Qi waved him off, sighing inwardly. Cheng Yue was gaining more and more of Bai Xiong’s favor—whatever happened, he had to be included. Even for trivial matters, Bai Xiong would call him over.

Well, it was understandable. Liu Qi had witnessed that scene clearly—without Cheng Yue, big brother might not have survived.

“Brother Bai, you wanted to see me?”

Xi Yuechen stepped into Bai Xiong’s grand and uniquely decorated living room. Bai Xiong was sitting by the window, fiddling with a Go board.

“Yes, come over,” Bai Xiong replied, not even looking up.

Xi Yuechen knew Bai Xiong would want him to play Go again. Honestly, Bai Xiong’s skill was terrible, but he loved playing anyway—and he always asked Xi Yuechen to join him. After all this time, his skill hadn’t improved at all.

Xi Yuechen understood Bai Xiong’s behavior. When poor, one dreams of wealth; when wealthy, one seeks refinement. Hence, he played with elegant things like Go.

Playing Go with someone like Bai Xiong was headache-inducing—you couldn’t win too easily, nor could you lose too quickly. He was unpredictable, keeping everyone guessing.

So each time Xi Yuechen played with him, he quietly made the game increasingly complex. Over time, the board became so chaotic that winning or losing no longer mattered.

Yet Bai Xiong loved it. The more complex the board, the happier he felt, taking pride in the dense black and white pieces.

Xi Yuechen didn’t bother analyzing Bai Xiong’s psychology—keeping him happy was enough.

“You’re in good spirits today, Brother Bai,” Xi Yuechen teased as he approached. With more time spent together, their interactions had become casual; small jokes no longer needed to be avoided.

“Ha, ha, come, play two games with me,” Bai Xiong waved, unfazed by the teasing.

Seeing Bai Xiong unusually cheerful, Xi Yuechen paused inwardly but kept a calm expression, taking a seat opposite him.

He noticed Bai Xiong’s excitement was higher than usual, though he didn’t know why.

While pondering, Xi Yuechen played along in silence with Bai Xiong.

“Cheng Yue,” Bai Xiong finally spoke slowly after a while, eyes still on the board, “there’s something I’ve never asked you.”

Xi Yuechen paused, then placed his piece in the optimal position and smiled calmly. “Brother Bai, are you referring to the ambush the other day?”

Although phrased as a question, the tone sounded like a statement. Bai Xiong had not asked about that day since it happened. Today’s sudden question could only be about that.

Xi Yuechen knew Bai Xiong must have had doubts, so he wasn’t surprised by the question.

Sure enough, Bai Xiong pondered, placed a piece, then looked up at Xi Yuechen. “Yes. I never asked properly before. You did well that day—far better than the bodyguards I assigned to me.”

His words were slow, casual, almost like small talk, yet carried subtle pressure.

Bai Xiong had no other intentions—the investigation had already revealed it was the Zhao family from L City. The traitor who leaked his location had been recently caught.

Bai Xiong never spared traitors. If fate hadn’t been on that day’s side, he himself might not have survived.

The punishment was merciless. It was partly to vent his anger, partly to set an example—his subordinates had grown complacent, thinking Bai Xiong had lost his old edge. A little lesson was necessary.

So this had nothing to do with Cheng Yue. Today, Bai Xiong simply wanted to know why Cheng Yue risked his life to protect him.

For fame or profit? That day was life-threatening; dying instantly was possible. Who would think of riches then?

Bai Xiong found it puzzling. What was Cheng Yue really after?

Xi Yuechen remained calm, stopping his move. With a serious expression, he said: “Don’t laugh, but like the saying goes, ‘Even a cornered rabbit will bite.’ I was pushed to my limits.”

“Oh?” Bai Xiong raised an eyebrow, attentive.

“I used to think simply—strive for success, make life meaningful, take risks if needed. But I forgot such fame and fortune aren’t so easy to obtain. That day…”

He smiled awkwardly. “I was really scared. I had never seen such a situation, didn’t know how to react. I felt the bullets hitting the car would pierce it and strike me any second. At first, I clung to luck, comforting myself that people were in front and behind. Maybe we’d survive. But when I saw my brothers fall one by one, I realized if I wanted to survive, I had to rely on myself.

“In that instant, many thoughts flashed through my mind. I understood how you, Brother Bai, had survived all these years. I thought: today is life or death—why not fight? Only by doing so would I have a chance to live. Survive, and I have the right to say ‘later.’ You are the first benefactor I’ve met in my life. You think highly of me, and I’m grateful. So when I saw you in danger, instinctively, I shielded you, risking my life to get you out. Having chosen the Yan Sect, I naturally would give my all for it.

“Looking back now, it feels incredible. I’ve never been that brave before. I had raced cars before, but I never thought those skills would be used like that—and enhanced so much. Thinking back, it feels instinctive. Every step was for survival.”

Xi Yuechen spoke at length. Throughout, Bai Xiong remained silent, spinning a black piece between his fingers.

He didn’t overstate his heroics, didn’t emphasize his effort—he only summarized what Bai Xiong wanted to know in a single instinctive recount.

Xi Yuechen knew what Bai Xiong wanted to hear, so he intentionally kept it concise. Bai Xiong was temperamental; too much detail might seem like boasting, causing displeasure. Better to seem indifferent—it might make him pleased.

Xi Yuechen’s guess was correct. At first, Bai Xiong was surprised—he expected Cheng Yue to make demands. But the young man’s concise recount pleased him. Upon further thought, he felt better—this youth was loyal, courageous, and resourceful. Even without that day’s performance, this devotion alone was admirable.

“Good, good! Truly giving your all, truly instinctive! Ha ha!” After a long moment, Bai Xiong laughed heartily, full of delight.

Xi Yuechen smiled respectfully, knowing he had once again judged correctly.