Encore: Hurt and Love

Hasben returns victorious once again from the EOD explosive ordnance disposal team. The Madness Butterfly Sect has vanished, but violent crime in the various city blocks will not disappear with the Red Flash Butterfly.

Hasben Madison accepts the summons of the Lapis Lazuli Guards and, as the Nobody's lead vanguard, rushes to the front lines of various terrorist attacks.

He had always harbored inappropriate feelings for the Big Sister —even the three-headed wolfhound guarding the house knew that this guy was deeply in love with the nameless War King.

In the short time between the fourth and final encore, let's talk about the little story of Hasben and Tang Ning.

The two students had some private conflicts, which had nothing to do with any complicated power or interests; they were simply personal grudges.

Tang Ning took on some of the gunsmith's work, but his character flaws were obvious. Everyone knew that this agent suffered from a sleepiness problem, was addicted to the illusions created by Fragrant Dream, and was forever reminiscing about Masha Stuart's visions.

The feud began here--

Thirteen weeks ago, Hasben just escaped a dangerous field mission and had a few days off, so he went to drink with this senior colleague.

And so, the following conversation took place in front of the bar.

"I've never understood, Robert," Hasben, sitting at the bar waiting for his senior to mix drinks, rambling on about his companion's past. "Why could you sleep so long every day?"

Tang Ning was at the bar, mixing drinks for his junior colleague. The lights made his hair look like a brilliant champagne gold, highlighting his blue eyes and making his expression melancholy.

"What do you want to ask? What do you mean by saying that? I don't understand."

Hasben continued, "You seem to have a strange dependence on the teacher's hand. I'm very curious about your past. What kind of beautiful dream could trap someone like you in an illusion?"

Tang Ning was stunned, the stainless steel cup in her hand froze in place, the egg mixture stopped spinning just as it started to swirl.

"Someone like me?"

"Yes, someone like you."

Hasben didn't hold back in praising his senior brother--

--By seniority, Robert Tang Ning was the gunsmith's first student. Hasben could only follow behind. Moreover, this former centurion of Guangling Zhixi genuinely recognized Tang Ning's talent.

"You've done so much for the gunsmith teacher. JoeStar's office is often filled with sorrowful weeping and angry shouts. People who have been treated unfairly want to voice their grievances and resentment—just listening to these stories makes me tired."

Hasben, with his index finger raised and head tilted slightly, half of his face obscured by his hair on the side facing the light, looked serious, making no attempt to hide his admiration. For a moment, Tang Ning even saw a phantom image of Lawrence Madison.

"You did what I couldn't do; in my eyes, that's incredible talent."

"But then again, what kind of beautiful dream could make you linger and forget reality?"

"Hasben" Tang Ning was backlit, his eyes hidden in his hair.

He finally started mixing drinks again, taking all sorts of condiments from the bar.

"I once had a love that was indescribably beautiful."

"Her name is Masha, Masha Stuart."

Hasben: "I've heard the name and the story."

Tang Ning: "In the teacher's story, I am just a supporting character, but that doesn't mean the story of a supporting character is unimportant."

Hasben: "Go on."

Tang Ning: "The woman I loved died in my hands, in my arms. I think it will be very difficult for me to forget her."

Hasben: "It's been so long."

"Time can't diminish these feelings!" Tang Ning immediately interrupted, "You wouldn't understand!"

Hasben didn't answer immediately; he could sense the sudden burst of angry spiritual pressure emanating from Tang Ning.

Tang Ning took deep breaths to calm herself down, and finally realized that she had been impolite.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you."

Hasben: "I apologize for being a bit offensive. Perhaps Masha is an irreplaceable and unforgettable figure in your heart."

Tang Ning: "That's right, she's practically a part of my life—we're inseparable, she shaped me."

Hasben: "What do you mean?"

"That's right." Tang Ning hesitated, as if he had run out of ideas.

"That's right. That's right."

After holding it in for a long time, the kid finally figured it out.

"She was much, much older than me, and she talked to me about history, life, and love between men and women."

"She's more like an elder, but also my lover; she's helped me mature."

"There is probably such a person in everyone's life."

Tang Ning put down his wine glass and pushed it in front of his junior brother.

Do you know? Can you understand?

Hasben nodded. "In that case, it was Big Sister who shaped me. Just like Professor Victor shaped Mr. Meteor. People learn from each other, influence each other, and achieve together—that's how it is for you and Masha too."

"That's right! That's right!" Tang Ning's eyes lit up. "Hasben! So think about it! Even though Masha is dead, I can still see her in my dreams. If you can see Big Sister in your dreams, I'm afraid you'll want to be with me too."

"It's different." Hasben's tone turned icy. "Absolutely different. I'm not dreaming."

Tang Ning asked in surprise, "What?"

Hasben emphasized, "I don't want to dream, I want a real Glory."

Tang Ning hesitated, then said, "But..."

Robert could have easily told his junior apprentice the gunsmith's secret about the Big Sister just for the sake of a quick retort, but he held back.

"But what?" Hasben took a sip of his cocktail, his expression still solemn. "You also have a waitress by your side. Her name is Anna. She was chosen by the BOSS after careful consideration, based on the elemental analysis using Polarized Sextant, as the [best candidate] to be by your side. — You have a living person with you, but your heart is always with the dead."

Tang Ning didn't speak; he felt a sharp pain in his heart, and his face flushed red.

Hasben continued to explain.

"Like various movie plots, there's always a beautiful ex-wife character living in memories. She appears with a soft-focus filter, and before she even has a chance to say three lines, she's already in her grave—there are just too many of these kinds of scenarios."

"Robert Tang Ning, I consider myself a cynical and arrogant man. I can understand your pain, I can understand your aspirations—but I absolutely do not condone your actions."

"If you want to transform from a caterpillar into a butterfly, Masha is your inner demon."

"Fine!" Tang Ning pursed her lips, shrugged, and acted nonchalantly. "Well said! You're right! You're amazing!"

Then the black stone man hurriedly wiped the table clean, didn't say anything unnecessary, and ran back upstairs to continue his nap.

The gunsmith's two students harbored resentment over this incident, which led to an inexplicable personal feud.

Thirteen weeks later, Hasben hurriedly sought advice from Tang Ning.

"--The Big Sister is coming back, what should I do? You have dating experience, can you give me some advice?"

Robert Tang Ning's spirits lifted. Seeing his junior colleague's tense, excited, and overly concerned expression, he felt an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

This incredibly vengeful Blackrock man must continue to keep the secret, while also encouraging Hasben bravely pursue his love.

"Let me put it this way, my dear junior brother—"

Tang Ning wrapped her arms around Hasben's neck, whispering and making their secret plans.

"--I'll find you a few clueless scoundrels. Have these guys come robbing the nameless shop with knives. That's when you have to step up and show off in front of the Big Sister."

Hasben looked shocked. "Who would come to rob the nameless man's shop?"

"Hey! I've rehearsed the lines with the actors, and we'll say they're all clueless newbies." Tang Ning winked and made an exaggerated expression. "You better stand up straight! Beauty is only for the strong!"

Hasben felt uneasy and then asked, "So what should I do next?"

Tang Ning immediately said, "Confess to the Big Sister."

Hasben: "And then?"

Tang Ning: "Kiss her."

Hasben: "Really?"

Tang Ning: "Women are all passive, believe me."

Hasben: "But Glory isn't like that. She's very proactive."

Tang Ning: "Why not give it a try? It doesn't cost anything!"

Hasben thought to himself, "What my senior brother said does seem to make some sense; the words may be rough, but the principle is sound."

If I can make a good impression on the Big Sister, perhaps by taking advantage of the opportunity to bravely capture the enemy, I can confess my feelings and successfully kiss her, thus winning her heart!

The tiny bit of Lawrence Madison's genes that remained in this red-haired man's heart awakened, and he was going to take a gamble!

The stakes he paid were merely a performance, but the wealth he gained brought him unimaginable happiness.

So we followed the script--

Twenty minutes later, Xue Ming changed into the female character and took a long detour back to the nameless man's club.

Tang Ning hid behind the counter, grinning as she waited for the show to begin.

Hasben followed procedure, punching and kicking the extras who came to attack, using his Soul Power to subdue the enemies, and finally, with a natural and confident stride, he walked up to Glory amidst the cheers of the patrons.

"These people are ungrateful, daring to cause trouble on the Nameless One's territory. But don't worry."

Hasben continued reading from the script that Tang Ning had given him.

"As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."

He reached out, wanting to ruffle the Big Sister's hair—

He thought to himself, Glory is still as captivating as ever, her cold gaze like a knife, her eyes so dark they seem to absorb light. Her fit figure doesn't look like that of a thirty-year-old at all.

Just as his index finger was about to touch the Big Sister's sideburns, she grabbed it tightly, freezing him in mid-air.

A tremendous force surged from his fingertips, causing Hasben's expression to change as he felt a sharp, piercing pain in his fingers, and he let out a muffled groan.

The Big Sister, "Speak politely, don't resort to violence."

"Actually, there's something..." Hasben gradually led down by the Big Sister, his legs went weak, and he slowly bent over to be at the same height as her, saying, "There's something that's been buried in my heart for a long time."

Despite being in so much pain that his face was covered in cold sweat, he continued to create a romantic atmosphere.

"I care about you a lot, and I want to be with you."

The Big Sister rolled her eyes. "Haven't you been keeping it to yourself for a long time? Have a proper chat with the guests, and listen to the nonsense you just uttered?"

Hasben decided to use the ultimate weapon, which was the "forced kiss sudden death method" that Tang Ning had mentioned. It had such a sensational name because Tang Ning vividly described how his blood pressure rose and his mind went blank when he kissed Masha, almost causing him to die suddenly.

This magic can break down the defenses between lovers, turning all the awkwardness and hesitation into passionate joy.

As this audacious student straightened up, he lunged at the Big Sister leader—

A strong, powerful hand slammed into his chest. Glory pulled away, drew her gun, and fired, emptying the magazine. Then, she swaggered away, heading straight for the recreation room to soothe the children as their aunt.

Hasben lay in a pool of blood, riddled with sixteen holes. Fortunately, he was still wearing the bomb disposal suit issued to him by the EOD team. Unfortunately, the suit could only stop some shrapnel, not completely stop gunfire.

Tang Ning returned to her junior brother's side at the right time and kindly performed emergency treatment on him, removing all the bullets and healing Hasben's wounds with White Lady's products.

Lifting the thick bomb suit, bloodstains followed the bullet holes, forming two patches, one in an S-shape and the other in a B-shape.

When Hasben regained consciousness from the excruciating pain, his peculiar thought process still failed to realize that it was all his senior's malicious scheme.

He looked completely innocent and wanted to learn from Tang Ning, who had extensive experience in dating.

"Why? Why didn't she respond to me? Instead, she hurt me?"

Tang Ning carried Hasben back to the bar, found a quiet booth, made sure the guests were comfortable, and then analyzed the situation logically. "Girls are all shy, this is called playing hard to get, the Big Sister is obviously interested in you."

Hasben: "Really?"

Tang Ning: "You are one of the few creatures who escaped the clutches of the Big Sister's gun alive."

Hasben: "Is that so?"

Tang Ning: "That's why I said, she definitely likes you!"

Hasben was shocked.

Tang Ning: "That's how Chinese girls are. When they like someone, they always act all coy—and she didn't explicitly reject you just now!"

Hasben: "That's true."

Tang Ning: "Junior brother, you have now captured Glory's heart!"

Hasben: "But... what do those two letters mean? The wound on my stomach was clearly done intentionally by Glory."

Tang Ning: "SB! Super Boy! Sweet Baby! You always tell her she's like your mother. She must have been exposed to that kind of language to express her affection this way!"

"Really?" Hasben, who understood a little Chinese, exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "Really? Really?"

Tang Ning, fluent in Chinese, nodded vigorously. "Really! Really! Really!"

Rekindled with fighting spirit, Hasben decided to persevere despite setbacks, adhering to the fundamental principle that "as long as you can endure hardship, there will always be enough hardship in the world," and began his charge toward true love.

"Is this the Chinese tactic of feigning indifference to lure someone in? I suddenly feel— Glory seems even more alluring to me now."

Tang Ning urged in a low voice, "Go. Glory has to take care of Jiang Zhengyang now, and she'll be gentler with the child. Maybe this time we'll succeed!"

Hasben immediately sprang into action.

"Thank you! My senior brother!"

Tang Ning laughed loudly.

"You're welcome!"

Not long after, fifteen seconds later--

Hasben leaped into the air and pounced on his crush, but unsurprisingly, he was shot again and fell to the ground. This time, both shots hit vital organs, sending him straight to the ICU.

While stopping his junior brother's bleeding, Tang Ning pushed the operating table and rushed towards the medical department.

Hasben still retained some of his sanity; he was physically strong, and even when he entered the Gate of Death state, he could still squeeze out a few words from his throat.

"Why, gentle child? Why?"

Tang Ning answered without hesitation.

"She did become a bit gentler."

Hasben stared wide-eyed, not quite understanding this tenderness.

Tang Ning: "At least Glory blindfolded Zheng'er before she fired—very gently."

Just before Hasben was about to bleed to the point of losing consciousness, he could still vaguely hear his senior brother's mockery.

"This is a real, living girl! My junior brother! How does it feel?"

"Masha would never shoot at me! ~Hehe (^o^)!"