The Master's Mask Unveiled Again

Chapter 169: Chapter 168 Mutual Hurt

Lu Mian liked this feeling. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The warmth she had longed for since childhood, which she hadn’t gotten from her family, but had found among these companions.

Even with all the hardships she once faced, she still felt herself very lucky.

It was just that…

Their identities were somewhat unique, and being able to gather in Wucheng was already hard to come by, nobody wanted to disturb this equilibrium they had found or to attract unwanted attention, so they had to limit the frequency of their get-togethers.

Therefore, each of these gatherings was something Lu Mian cherished deeply.

Come rain or shine, no matter what, as long as they were there, she would be as well.

Yuren was skilled in the kitchen and worked quickly, a stack of delicate dishes was placed in attractive plates, all set.

Ya Ling watched him take off his apron and couldn’t help but sigh, “Old Yu, back in the day you were a young and successful CEO. Time flies, and now you’re confined to this corner of the world, cooking and brewing soup.”

Yuren’s hand paused as he put down the apron, a deep emotion flashed across his lean cheeks then quickly dissipated.

“Now, it’s pretty good.”

The sparkling life he had before he turned 23 was like a joke. It was only after the kidnapping case that he saw everything clearly.

Yu… the Fool.

He had been a fool for 23 years, and for the rest of his life, he just wanted to be the free Yuren.

Even though the subject was somewhat heavy, Yuren didn’t take it to heart but instead looked at Ya Ling with a gentle smile.

“Are we at the part where we hurt each other now? Ya Ling, don’t just talk about me. When I first met you, you hadn’t even taken off your white coat, still a beautiful and composed surgeon. Now… I guess you don’t even know how to hold a scalpel anymore, huh?”

Ya Ling stood with her hands on her hips, her smile full of mischief as her large eyes locked onto Sui Yuan.

Sui Yuan’s little head cowered.

“Let’s talk about Yuanyuan! Hahaha, such a pity for her long, black waterfall of hair. She was so pretty and soft before, and now, she’s just Little Baldy! Although she’s still quite cute…”

Sui Yuan puffed up in annoyance, “Ya Ling, there you go again! If we’re hurting each other, let’s do it then—and I’ll say this, do you dare to recall the scene of when the five of us first met?!”

Yuren: “…”

Ya Ling: “…”

All three of them collectively turned to look at Lu Mian, even more sheepish.

Lu Mian spread her hands, her voice laced with an appealing laughter, “Continue, you guys!”

The three of them immediately fell into a chaotic recollection.

Back then, they were all victims abandoned by their families, fearing the consequences of their kidnappings, silently nursing the wounds inflicted by their supposed loved ones. It was a time in their lives when they were suffering from major blows and naturally had little patience for anyone.

The five of them were not harmonious in the beginning; they even found each other disagreeable.

Later on, they even sparked a fight…

They didn’t want to remember the details; anyway, Lu Mian ended up winning.

“Hiss…”

The three of them finally gave up on recalling those memories, their hairs standing on end.

“Let’s eat!” Ya Ling personally put an end to the topic she had stirred up.

Everyone automatically picked up their plates and headed towards the dining room, the four of them in sync not to wait for the fifth member.

Sui Yuan muttered under her breath, “He… he still can’t return, huh…”

Ya Ling hugged her comfortingly, fists clenched with a forceful tone, “Don’t worry about him, the ungrateful wretch! Once I catch him, I’ll pin him down and give him a beating three hundred times over!”

Although she spoke like this, a fifth set of chopsticks and plate were still placed at the table.