Probationary Period

For some reason, seeing Li Nai's smile, a dangerous chill suddenly rose in Zhongyuan Zhongye's heart, making him momentarily unable to find words to fully agree. While Zhongye's expression remained frozen in a mix of hesitation and caution, Jiechuan erupted first.

"Li Nai-sensei, why!" Jiechuan's face was full of disbelief, and upon closer look, there was even a hint of grievance as he hurriedly said: "This brat was just provoking you, and now he can't even produce the money, yet you still want to reward him—"

"Hey. Is your brain really broken?" Zhongye said irritably: "Since when is working a damn reward?"

Jiechuan suddenly turned his head, his gaze terrifying as if he wanted to tear Zhongye into pieces.

"You, you!" Jiechuan grabbed Zhongye's collar, gritting his teeth as he said: "You have no idea how merciful Li Nai-sensei has been to you... It's all your fault!"

The irritation on Zhongyuan Zhongye's face grew deeper.

"Look clearly, this person invited me. Although I feel something is off, I haven't officially agreed yet." Zhongye frowned: "What exactly are you getting angry at me for?"

Jiechuan's eyes were bloodshot, his teeth grinding with a sound: "And you still dare to boast in front of me!"

"...Madman."

Zhongye used force to throw off Jiechuan's hand, but because the movement was too violent, it touched his wound. Fresh blood surged out, soaking his clothes; he groaned and clutched his hip.

Oda lowered his gun and slowly walked back behind the counter, while Li Nai narrowed his eyes at him with a meaningful smile. That gaze seemed to understand everything, including the pity that had just risen in Oda's heart, along with the tiny, almost unrecognizable reminder. But Li Nai showed no sign of anger. He didn't stop it; he even tacitly approved. Perhaps fundamentally, he didn't care about these things... He only found interest in observing events as they unfolded.

A shiver ran through Oda's heart. He lowered his eyes as if he hadn't noticed anything and stood silently behind Li Nai. During this brief exchange of glances, the two people clashing on the other side naturally remained unaware.

Jiechuan glared resentfully at Zhongye, but because of Li Nai's previous words, he didn't strike again, even though everyone could see he wished he could mince this orange-haired brat.

"Li Nai-sensei!" Jiechuan suddenly turned, rushing to the counter, suppressing his heaving chest as he said hoarsely: "I can do it too! I am definitely many times stronger than that brat!"

Li Nai raised an eyebrow.

"Furthermore, furthermore..." Jiechuan gasped, and after a fit of coughing, he with difficulty forced out: "I truly want to follow by your side..."

Please teach me more. Let me see more. Emotions, fear, the meaning of life... Only by being by this person's side can one see the final destination. Jiechuan stared intently at Li Nai. The stubborn eyes that burned in the dark night when they first met had not dimmed at all; the intense obsession was enough to make Oda and Zhongye beside him take notice.

But Li Nai only slightly curled his lips.

"Jiechuan." Li Nai said: "Your companions seem to be looking for you."

Jiechuan was stunned and looked toward the window. Outside the bright glass, several children were pressing their faces against the window, trying to peer through the rose-shaped iron frame to see the situation inside, making their distorted faces look somewhat comical. A thin, small girl stood further away, her gaze toward the window full of worry—it was Jiechuan's younger sister, Xin.

Jiechuan's whole body stiffened, standing frozen in place.

"There are still quite a few part-time positions open; everyone is welcome to come." Li Nai said softly: "But you must think carefully—if I remember correctly, you just said your organization hasn't been troubled because you are there?"

Jiechuan became even more rigid. If he were still the "heartless dog" only pursuing a single goal as before, at this moment, he would probably choose to stay here without hesitation. But now... it was different. Perhaps from that brilliant night... or from when he received that red scarf... everything had begun to change completely.

Jiechuan hesitated, a fierce struggle in his heart. In his confusion, he instinctively looked up at Li Nai: "Li Nai-sensei, do you feel..."

"Don't be lazy." Li Nai smiled at the torn expression on Jiechuan's face: "Letting others choose for you, wouldn't that be very boring?"

That's right. Jiechuan heavily closed his eyes. He always knew Li Nai-sensei let him act independently. Because Li Nai-sensei liked randomness, liked surprises... and liked chaos.

When this word appeared in Jiechuan's mind like a flash of lightning, he suddenly bent over, covering his mouth and coughing violently. Amidst the coughing, a knock sounded on the door.

"Brother." Xin's voice rang out: "Are you in there?"

Jiechuan's coughing stopped abruptly. Perhaps having found the answer from the movement inside, the girl's voice carried a hint of melancholy, soft like the sound of pines in the snow: "...Leader. Everyone is very worried about you."

Jiechuan's pupils constricted, a choked gasp as if strangled in his throat escaped from the gaps of the hand covering his mouth. That was clearly agony.

Li Nai maintained a leisurely attitude, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table, his face wearing a half-smile. Jiechuan slowly stood straight, his gaze having completely changed.

"Thought it through?" Li Nai leaned his chin on his hand and asked with a smile.

"Yes." Jiechuan took a deep breath and bowed very low to Li Nai: "Li Nai-sensei, for the time being, I may not be able to come to the shop often. But the next time I meet you... I will surely become someone qualified to receive your recognition."

Li Nai smiled without speaking. Jiechuan walked with heavy steps toward the door, as if stepping into a destiny he had chosen for himself. The bright red scarf fluttered in the night wind, flashing under the starlight before disappearing behind the closing door.

Li Nai withdrew his gaze and looked toward Zhongyuan Zhongye, who was staring blankly after Jiechuan.

"What are you waiting for, Zhongye?" Li Nai raised an eyebrow: "Could it be you're expecting your companions from the 'Sheep' organization to also appear at the window?"

"...No!" Zhongye snapped back to his senses and retorted irritably: "I'm not like that guy! Besides, I'm not so weak that I need others to worry. If even I can't solve it, then others coming would just be throwing their lives away!"

"Alright, then I won't ask why you just showed a look of loss." Li Nai nodded: "So when do you start working?"

"I..." Zhongye was about to answer, but his peripheral vision caught the wound on his hip. The wound caused by La Sheng Men seemed very difficult to stop bleeding; although the battle had ended quite a while ago, blood continued to flow out, soaking his clothes and dripping onto the floor. However, the floor remained clean, without a single bloodstain.

The unusual chill rose again. Zhongye faltered, swallowing the words he was about to say, and quickly changed his mind: "...I need to consider it a bit more."

"Oh?" Li Nai blinked, his face looking sorrowful: "But didn't Zhongye nod to me earlier? I thought that was an agreement..."

Zhongye's gaze avoided him slightly; he remembered that he indeed had nodded then. He couldn't thick-skinnedly take back his word publicly, but the increasing sense of danger made him unable to make up his mind. In his confusion, an idea struck him.

"How about this. I'll work here for a trial day to see specifically what the work is, then I'll decide whether to continue... Like what adults often say, a probationary period or an evaluation period. Anyway, that." Zhongyuan Zhongye paused, intentionally emphasizing: "...Anyway, I am not your subordinate yet, nor an employee of this shop! Much less a part-timer... I can leave at any time! At most, I'll gather enough for the 100,000 to pay you back!"

Li Nai thought for a moment, then asked profoundly: "Are you sure?"

Hearing this, before Zhongye could answer, Oda felt his heart tighten. He looked at the orange-haired youth who knew nothing with a gaze full of worry. Don't... although I don't know why, I feel this isn't a good thing...

But Zhongye, though he noticed Oda looking at him, didn't understand the opposition in that complex gaze. He affirmed to Li Nai: "I'm sure."

There was no helping it. Oda heavily closed his eyes again.

"Fine." Li Nai showed a radiant smile and nodded readily: "I agree. Then today's work..."