Cursed Eye

Yang City Ninja Prison.

Su Bai was politely escorted to the prison entrance by the guards. They kept apologizing, their attitude a complete reversal from their earlier arrogance.

A group of people was waiting outside the prison: Su Bai's parents, Xia Xueqing, Chang Rui, Gongyi Xin, and his subordinates.

"Xiaobai!"

"Son!"

From a distance, Su Jianhong and Lin Xiu'e called out joyfully and ran toward Su Bai.

"Mom, Dad!" Su Bai was just as happy, hurrying over to meet them.

Lin Xiu'e caressed Su Bai's face, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.

"It's all right now, son. You're safe!"

"I told you I'd be fine, didn't I? Mom, please don't cry. Me getting out is a good thing." Su Bai chuckled, comforting her.

"That's right, I shouldn't cry. I should be happy!" Lin Xiu'e quickly wiped away her tears, then took him over to Xia Xueqing and Chang Rui. Her face full of gratitude, she said to Su Bai, "Son, you have these two classmates to thank for getting out this time. Make sure you thank them properly!"

"You're too kind, Auntie. There's no need for that." Xia Xueqing waved her hands repeatedly.

For some reason, she always felt shy and awkward around Lin Xiu'e.

Chang Rui chewed on something and glanced at Su Bai, then said nonchalantly, "Just thank Xueqing. I didn't do much."

That might have been true, but Lin Xiu'e and Su Jianhong were still very grateful to Chang Rui. They repeatedly urged Su Bai to thank both girls properly!

"I know, Mom." Su Bai smiled, gratefully glancing at the two girls.

"Haha, you must be Mr. Su, right? I'm Gongyi Xin, captain of the Yang City Ninja Enforcement Squad. These are my subordinates." Once Gongyi Xin saw that the family had more or less finished catching up, he seized the opportunity to greet them.

Captain of the Ninja Enforcement Squad?

Su Bai narrowed his eyes, puzzled. Why was such an important figure... smiling apologetically at him?

But when he saw Xia Xueqing smiling beside him, he immediately understood.

It's probably thanks to Xueqing.

Though still wondering, Su Bai politely nodded in response.

"Captain Gongyi, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Haha, this whole thing was a massive misunderstanding. My men actually arrested someone Xia had connections to. I'm ashamed!"

Gongyi Xin laughed heartily, then glared at one of his subordinates. The squad leader immediately apologized to Su Bai again and again, his tone almost pleading!

Gongyi Xin told everyone present what had happened to Liang Ji and Liang Youde, and asked Xia Xueqing in particular whether she was satisfied with the outcome.

Xia Xueqing shook her head and told him to ask Su Bai instead. Su Bai immediately waved it off, saying it was all in the past and that he was fine anyway.

He knew exactly where he stood. This was all thanks to Xia Xueqing. Without her, he would probably have barely escaped with his life.

Gongyi Xin had wanted to offer Su Bai some compensation, hinting that it was worth more than ten million Federal Coins. Su Jianhong and Lin Xiu'e were stunned!

Su Bai flatly refused, saying he absolutely wouldn't accept it. He also pointed out that the Enforcement Squad wasn't responsible for what happened; Liang Youde had caused the whole mess.

Seeing that Su Bai wouldn't budge, Gongyi Xin tried several more times but couldn't change his mind. He could only have his subordinate apologize again before leaving with his men.

When the "big shot" from Yang City was gone, Su Jianhong and Lin Xiu'e finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Jianhong, I never imagined someone that important would speak so kindly to us."

"Neither did I."

The couple felt as though the whole day had been a dream. First their son had been arrested, and they'd fallen into despair. Then someone as important as Gongyi Xin had practically fawned over them... It didn't feel real.

Hearing them, Chang Rui giggled. "Uncle, Auntie, pretty amazing, right? Even the mayor doesn't get Captain Gongyi to smile apologetically at him!"

She was outgoing by nature, and it had taken her only a little while to get along with Su Bai's parents.

Even the mayor didn't get that kind of treatment?

Su Jianhong and Lin Xiu'e exchanged a glance, then looked at Xia Xueqing.

They clearly remembered that all the girl had done was make a phone call, and the whole problem had been resolved.

Only then did they realize that the real big shot had been standing right beside them all along, while they'd overlooked her!

The couple showered Xia Xueqing with thanks, leaving her a little flustered.

"Uncle, Auntie, you really don't need to thank me. It was nothing!"

"Right, Mom, Dad, you've had a long day. Why don't you head home first?" Su Bai knew Xia Xueqing was shy, so he spoke up with a smile.

After Su Bai's "persuasion," Su Jianhong and Lin Xiu'e finally gave up on inviting the two girls over for a meal.

They transferred five thousand Federal Coins to Su Bai and told him to treat the girls to something nice before leaving.

Su Bai had no choice but to accept. He knew it was all the money his family had. His parents had probably realized Xia Xueqing and Chang Rui came from well-off families and might spend a lot, so they'd given him everything they could...

After Su Jianhong and Lin Xiu'e left, all three of them breathed a sigh of relief at once. The sight was rather comical.

"Haha, what are those looks for? My parents aren't going to eat you."

"Come on, Uncle and Auntie were way too polite. I can't handle that!" Chang Rui pursed her lips, and Xia Xueqing nodded in agreement.

With everything settled, Su Bai waved his hand grandly.

"Let's head to the Monster BBQ Restaurant! Order whatever you like. It's on me!"

The money might have come from his parents' hard work, but this wasn't the time to be stingy. Some things were worth spending money on!

Chang Rui brightened up at once. "You said it! I'm going to eat you out of house and home!"

"Mm-hmm!" Xia Xueqing added with a smile.

Su Bai sensed trouble and quickly said awkwardly, "Maybe take it easy. I've only got five thousand..."

"Haha!"

"With your stingy self, you're still pretending to be rich? Five thousand it is. That should be enough."

Monster BBQ Restaurant.

Looking at the restaurant's lavish golden decor, Su Bai's heart gave a little thump.

Can five thousand even buy enough to fill us up with decor like this?

The two girls could tell what he was thinking, and burst out laughing.

"How about I pay instead?" Chang Rui teased. "Look at you, so hopeless!" She loved taking every opportunity to pick on Su Bai for fun.

Xia Xueqing tugged at Su Bai's sleeve and said gently, "I saw you earlier. That five thousand was transferred to you by your parents. Don't go spending it carelessly."

Su Bai immediately bristled at that!

What, did she think he couldn't afford it?

"It's fine. If I don't have enough, I can leave Wen Yuanyuan's scroll here as collateral. It's worth over a million. That should be enough to feed you two, right?"

He hated to part with it, but Su Bai believed in repaying kindness and settling grudges. After everything the two girls had done for him today, treating them to a good meal was the least he could do!

"All right, stop joking around." Chang Rui pursed her lips. "Keep the scroll. It's important to you. If you want to treat us, do it next time."

"But..."

"No buts. I said this afternoon that I'd treat you tonight to celebrate our championship!"

Chang Rui didn't take no for an answer. She pushed Su Bai into his chair and picked up the menu as if she owned the place.

Watching the generous girl, who got her kicks from picking on him, warmed Su Bai's heart. He didn't argue any further.

"All right, we'll do it your way."

"I owe you one. When I get the chance, I'll treat you to so much food you won't be able to walk!"

Chapter 41: Cursed Eye

"All right, I'm done ordering. Pick whatever else you want!" Chang Rui tossed the menu in front of Su Bai and Xia Xueqing, then glared at Xia Xueqing in irritation. "Honestly, you get a boyfriend and forget all about your best friend. Hmph!"

She was annoyed because the two of them had grown up together and were incredibly close. They did everything together.

But when they'd just picked their seats, Xia Xueqing had naturally sat beside Su Bai, leaving Chang Rui across from them...

Xia Xueqing blushed and handed the menu to Su Bai.

"Don't talk nonsense, Sister Rui. I just sat wherever..."

"Yeah, right!"

Su Bai ignored Chang Rui's "teasing." He wasn't the type to get embarrassed so easily. He had thick skin.

"Let's see what I should order..."

Su Bai picked up the menu and glanced at it. He was immediately stunned!

Premium Iron-Horned Sheep kidneys, fifty thousand Federal Coins...

Long-Eared Rabbit legs, twenty thousand Federal Coins...

Fresh Copper-Headed Pig, forty thousand...

Fresh...

Boiled water, free!

"Just a glass of boiled water, please. Thanks." Su Bai calmly closed the menu and spoke to the bewildered waiter.

"Boiled water? Are you sure, sir?"

"Go ahead. I'm sure." Su Bai replied calmly, and the waiter left, still bewildered.

It was the first time he'd ever seen a customer come here just to drink water...

Before long, all the dishes Chang Rui had ordered arrived. Su Bai did a quick calculation and figured the meal must have cost over two hundred thousand Federal Coins.

"Su Bai, listen. The food here is expensive, but it tastes amazing!" Chang Rui casually picked up an Iron-Horned Sheep kidney and put it on his plate. "This one especially. Eat more. It's good for you."

Su Bai stared at the kidney, a little dumbfounded. He knew Chang Rui was deliberately making fun of him. He smiled and swallowed it in a few bites.

"Mm, it really does taste good!"

"Right? Waiter, bring three more skewers of Iron-Horned Sheep kidneys. My friend here needs to build up his strength!" Chang Rui called loudly. Everyone in the restaurant immediately turned to look at Su Bai.

"Strange, the young fellow doesn't look like he has kidney problems."

"Who knows? Maybe he looks good on the outside but is rotten inside. Didn't you hear his girlfriend say so?"

"Haha, maybe!"

"Young man, take care of yourself. Don't overdo it, haha!" a middle-aged man "kindly" advised Su Bai.

Damn it!

Even Su Bai's thick skin couldn't take that. He gave a wry smile. "Xiao Rui, if you've got something to say, just say it. Don't do this."

"Hmph! You dare steal my Xueqing? I'll make sure you regret it!" Chang Rui grumbled, and Xia Xueqing immediately chided her.

The three chatted as they ate. Before long, the two girls grew curious about how Su Bai had gotten through his time inside.

Su Bai didn't hide anything. He told them everything, including what had puzzled him.

"You couldn't sense the chakra in your body?" Chang Rui immediately explained. "That's a barrier invented by the Federal Government, specifically designed to deal with ninjas."

"But it doesn't completely prevent you from sensing chakra. You're just too weak. Stronger ninjas can still use their chakra."

"Oh, I see." Su Bai nodded.

Xia Xueqing asked curiously, "Su Bai, you said you beat seven or eight Taijutsu ninjas with your body alone? I thought you didn't know Taijutsu."

"Hehe, that's another one of my secrets." Su Bai smiled mysteriously, making the two girls instantly curious.

That was how women were: the less you told them, the more curious they became. Sure enough, the two girls pestered Su Bai, insisting that he explain.

Su Bai had no intention of hiding his Sharingan, since he'd have to use it sooner or later. So he simply told them.