Chapter 137: Comrades-in-Arms

Xie Xi took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over each person: "We are a team. From the day we formed, we were destined to advance and retreat together. Rather than calling us teammates, I prefer to call us comrades-in-arms. What are comrades-in-arms? It's a relationship where you can unhesitatingly entrust your back to the other at critical moments."Everyone's eyes showed a trace of emotion upon hearing this.

"Asking me to back down now is negating everything between us," Xie Xi said slowly. "What Qin Bai, what investigation—none of that matters. What's important is that we trust each other, and that's enough. A true team doesn't scatter when storms come; they stand closer together in the tempest. If we can't even withstand this little test, then what was all our previous fighting side-by-side? Child's play? No matter what you say today, I'm taking charge of this matter. Not because of justice or principles, but simply because you are my comrades-in-arms. That reason alone is sufficient. Let Qin Bai investigate if he wants, interrogate if he wants, but if he wants to touch my comrades-in-arms, he'll have to get through me first." Xie Xi's words were firm and powerful: "This is my stance."

Su Zhan was silent for a moment before speaking: "Miss Xie, your words almost moved me, but are you really sure you want to bet the entire Xie family's future for the few of us?"

"Exactly, your speech sounds like it's straight out of a shounen manga," Liu Ziming scratched his head. "But reality doesn't work that way..."

"Shut up!" Xie Xi glared at them. "Are you men or not? So wishy-washy."

Feng Jue spoke up: "Xie Xi, this isn't child's play. Qin Bai isn't an ordinary awakener, he's..."

"I know who he is!" Xie Xi interrupted. "But precisely because of that, I can't back down even more. If today we abandon our teammates out of fear, then tomorrow we'll abandon even more things out of fear."

"Drag me down?" Xie Xi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Have you misunderstood something? I'm not playing some self-sacrificing saint role. I'm just defending my team. If you really consider me a comrade-in-arms, then stop saying such distant words."

The four exchanged glances, their expressions complex.

"Alright," Su Zhan finally raised his hands as if conceding. "Since Miss Xie has said so... then let's face this Qin Bai together."

Some things are better remembered in the heart.

Some feelings are better kept in the heart, to be repaid in the future.

Liu Ziming sighed: "Done for, done for. Now we're really grasshoppers on the same rope."

Xu Hao, leaning on his crutch, walked to Xie Xi's side and deliberately bumped her shoulder: "Sister Xie, I call you 'sister' with genuine respect now."

Xie Xi finally showed a smile: "That's more like it. I've already explained the situation to my parents. I believe they absolutely won't stand by and do nothing."

Although Su Zhan felt uneasy about this matter internally, he didn't discourage her, as that would betray her sincere intentions.

Xie Xi's fingers quickly swiped across the light screen, editing an urgent message to her parents.

The other four immediately gathered around, their heads close together, eyes fixed intently on the phone screen.

"Will your dad agree?" Xu Hao asked, leaning forward on his crutch. "I heard your mother is currently campaigning for a parliamentary seat. Isn't this a bad time to interfere with hunting team matters..."

"Shut up, you jinx!" Liu Ziming knocked Xu Hao's head, then turned to Xie Xi with an apologetic smile: "Sister Xie, your mom dotes on you so much, she'll definitely help, right?"

Xie Xi didn't speak.

But her confident expression already revealed her inner thoughts.

She believed, she was certain, that her parents would help her.

"You know..." Xu Hao began, "Do all parents in this world unconditionally support their children?"

Liu Ziming picked up the thread: "Depends on the person, it's really hard to say. But since we're on this topic, I have to say something—my parents would definitely support me... Of course, that also depends on the specific situation. For example, if I said I didn't want to be an awakener anymore and wanted to drop out of Vermilion Bird Academy, I'd probably get a good beating from both of them."

Everyone's lips curved into slight smiles upon hearing this.

"Hahahaha..." Xu Hao hadn't expected Liu Ziming to say this and laughed: "Of course! If I were your parents, not beating you to death would be mercy!"

"Hey, Haozi!" Liu Ziming raised his hand and knocked his head again. "Can't tell who's in charge anymore? Starting to take advantage of me now?"

Seeing this, Su Zhan couldn't help but feel emotional.

Young Master Liu still seemed so carefree on the surface.

But in reality?

He felt Young Master Liu's inner anxiety was no less than theirs.

He was just cracking jokes to lighten the atmosphere.

Liu Ziming and Xu Hao coordinated perfectly.

After their antics, the atmosphere genuinely eased somewhat.

Though this easing was only superficial, shifting the tension inward instead.

The five of them stared intently at the phone screen together.

But the other side of the phone screen remained silent with no response.

"Waiting for a reply..." Xu Hao laughed bitterly, "is more agonizing than waiting for my awakening."

"Don't be stupid! My mom hates those tricks the most." Xie Xi rolled her eyes and turned off her phone screen: "Not looking anymore! The more I look, the more anxious I get!"

Su Zhan tilted his head: "How about... you call them?"

"That's what I'm afraid of—that they're busy," Xie Xi immediately shook her head. "If we disturb them while they're handling things, it'll be even harder to ask for help later."

"Beep beep..."

The phone suddenly rang.

It was the notification sound for an incoming message.

All five simultaneously held their breath and leaned in...

[Mom: I need to discuss this with your dad. Don't worry.]

Everyone fell silent upon seeing this.

Xie Xi stared intently at the screen: "This shouldn't be happening..."

Liu Ziming asked: "Could your parents have differing opinions?"

Xu Hao scratched his head anxiously: "Should we send another message? Say it's super urgent! Add three exclamation marks!!!"

Feng Jue suddenly spoke up: "Is your dad easier to talk to, or your mom?"

"Neither is easy to talk to!" Xie Xi frantically rubbed her hair. "Mom thinks Dad spoils me too much, Dad thinks Mom is too strict..."

Su Zhan spoke up: "Who manages the money in your family?"

Xie Xi replied: "My mom, of course."

"Mm," Su Zhan spread his hands. "Then the family hierarchy is obvious. Your mom's word carries weight."

And so everyone waited and waited, waited and waited.

A full half hour passed.

Seeing this, Su Zhan couldn't help but feel emotional.

Su Zhan realized that the other side must be carefully considering this, possibly even having differing opinions.

Otherwise, for such a small matter, it shouldn't take half an hour without any resolution.