He slowly turned his head to look at Fan Xian.
His gaze was filled with gratification and emotion, and something indescribable churned in the depths of his eyes.
Fan Xian found Chen Pingping's gaze a little too much to bear.
He hurriedly waved his hands, trying to deny it-
But Chen Pingping had already turned back to Zhou Cheng and said:
"I understand."
He paused.
"The favor Fan Xian owes arose because of me. Sir, would you be willing to count that debt as mine?"
Zhou Cheng had no objection, of course.
That had been his aim all along.
He had also anticipated Chen Pingping's reaction.
"Wait! Dean Chen, what do you two mean?" Fan Xian's eyes widened. "What do you mean, transferring my debt to you?"
He watched them reach a deal in just a few exchanges, unable to get a single word in himself.
Chen Pingping turned back and explained with a smile:
"Child, I appreciate your concern for me. The reason this gentleman wanted to protect you was actually to get to me.
"Otherwise, an expert of his caliber would have had no need to make this trip specifically. I'll take on the debt for you. You needn't worry about anything else."
"What!"
Fan Xian glared at Zhou Cheng, his gaze a tangled mixture of disappointment, wariness, and hurt.
He felt that this fellow countryman was far too scheming!
This was nothing like the reunion between fellow countrymen he had imagined!
Only now did he understand that all that talk of protecting him had never really been about him.
He had merely been used to maneuver Chen Pingping!
For a moment, a hundred feelings crowded his heart.
Fan Xian wanted to say something more to Chen Pingping.
But Chen Pingping waved a hand, cutting him off.
"Fan