"Sorry for the trouble, gentlemen. Yang Lingyou really is my friend," Li Qingxian said.
"Since he's your friend, Daren Li, please come in." The guards at the entrance let him through.
Yang Lingyou came in, smiling as he rubbed his right earlobe.
A remembered signal flashed through Li Qingxian's mind. He took Yang Lingyou somewhere deserted and set down a Soundproofing Talisman.
"What happened?"
Yang Lingyou's smile faded. "Uncle Chen came to our house for medicine this morning and asked me to find you. He said he thought someone was following him and was afraid something might happen to his family."
Li Qingxian's expression darkened. The Devil Sect-controlled Ministry of Justice immediately came to mind.
"Go home first, and don't make a fuss. I'll handle it," Li Qingxian said.
Yang Lingyou hesitated for a moment. "Bellybutton came looking for me too. He said that Young Master Lou wanted to invite you to dinner-a gathering of old classmates, apparently. I reckon he did something to offend you and was too embarrassed to approach you himself."
Li Qingxian thought for a moment. "He didn't come on my birthday, so he's feeling a little guilty. I suspect word about me has started spreading through the capital, but since I'm at the Night Guard Yamen, none of them feel comfortable coming directly to see me. How about this..."
As he spoke, Li Qingxian took out two packets of pastries from Moonview Tower and handed them to Yang Lingyou. "Keep one for yourself and give the other to Bellybutton. Tell him I'm busy with a major case lately and can't attend the dinner. When I have time, I'll definitely get together with our old classmates."
"You've really learned a thing or two, you rascal. With these pastries, he'll understand you aren't deliberately snubbing him. You'd