Not Just You—I'm Afraid Too.

The New Chang Brave Alliance controlled a cluster of low-rise buildings on the outskirts, far from the city center. The surrounding area was filled with aging apartment blocks and small supermarkets.

Not far from their territory lay the development zone factory— the one caught in a silent tug-of-war between the Brave Alliance and King Xin.

Inside one of the Brave Alliance's bungalows, Chen Xun followed closely behind Chen Dafei as they stepped out into the dim evening. As the heavy door shut behind them, Chen Xun instinctively glanced back.

Through the narrow gap, he caught sight of King Xin speaking in hushed tones to the filthy, exhausted New Chang commander. The man's previously dull and lifeless eyes slowly brightened, his expression shifting from despair to desperate hope. Then, as if struck by lightning, he snapped his head toward the communication device on the table.

"What? I... I can still— I can really return to the rescue operations?""Can you truly make the people of New Chang believe in me again?"

Before Chen Xun could listen further, a firm pat on his shoulder made him jolt.

"Enough staring."

He turned abruptly—only to find himself face-to-face with Chen Dafei's strikingly handsome features, far too close for comfort.

"Captain Chen! You're standing way too close!"

Chen Xun took a hurried step back.

Chen Dafei, however, only gave him a knowing smirk. "Doesn't matter how close I get to you. The real question is—how close do you want to get to her?"

He tilted his chin toward the now-sealed door. From inside, muffled exclamations of joy could still be heard from the New Chang commander, though whatever had sparked his excitement remained a mystery.

Chen Xun's face remained neutral, but his gaze flickered slightly. "I don't understand what you're implying, Captain."

Chen Dafei let out a dramatic sigh. "Playing dumb, huh? That's no fun." He slung an arm around Chen Xun's shoulder, his tone teasing. "Listen, we're practically family, so here's a little friendly advice— I can tell. You think she's powerful. You want to get on her good side, make a solid impression, right?"

Chen Xun didn't respond. His silence spoke volumes.

Chen Dafei leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I'm telling you, she's a goddamn snake. The kind that'll swallow you whole before you even realize you're inside her stomach." He made a hissing sound for effect. "We do what she says. No questions, no unnecessary thoughts. Otherwise, one day, you'll wake up and realize she's sold you off without you even knowing."

Chen Xun hesitated for a moment before asking, "Captain Chen… do you have some kind of personal grudge against Miss Jiang?"

"Huh? No, not at all. She's always been polite to me."

"Then… has she made things difficult for you? Restricted your position in the organization?"

"Pfft. Please." Chen Dafei rubbed his chin smugly. "You ever heard of a 'killing privilege'? I'm the only one in all of Jinling who has it. I can kill whoever I want, whenever I want, and not even our commander can say a damn thing about it. Pretty badass, right?"

Chen Xun nodded sincerely. "Impressive."

"So tell me, Captain, if your status is untouchable, and Miss Jiang treats you well, and even the commander values you… why do you still say those things about her?"

Chen Dafei blinked, as if surprised by the question. Then he shrugged. "My sister told me to."

"…Your sister?"

"Yeah. She said Miss Jiang has a dangerous mind and told me to stay the hell away from her."

Chen Xun pondered this for a moment. "You must be a man who values his family deeply."

"Well, duh."

"I don't know what your sister sees in Miss Jiang… but aren't you afraid I might report this conversation to her?"

"You wouldn't dare."

Chen Dafei reached out as if to grab Chen Xun by the collar—then seemed to think better of it and simply laughed. "Go ahead. It's not like she can do anything to me."

Chen Xun chuckled softly, smoothing out his sleeves. "So, in reality… you don't actually dislike Miss Jiang. You just don't like being under someone's thumb."

Chen Dafei raised an eyebrow.

"She's the type of person who always has a complete grasp of the situation," Chen Xun continued. "Being around someone like that makes you feel like you're being read like an open book. That's unsettling. But since you're a man with principles, and she's a fellow ally, you can't exactly do anything about it. So, you'd rather keep your distance."

He ran a hand through his hair, smiling faintly. "That's not hatred. That's fear."

Chen Dafei narrowed his eyes. "The hell? That's a pretty annoying way to put it. You think you know me that well?"

"Of course not, Captain."

Chen Xun's smile didn't waver. "Before all this, I was a psychology teacher. I've simply developed a knack for observation. It may not always be accurate—think of it as a parlor trick, if you like."

Chen Dafei slapped him on the shoulder again. "Oh? Then tell me something—since you're so good at reading people, can you figure out what goes on in that woman's head?"

"I've always wondered," he mused. "A woman like her, running Jinling's affairs day and night—does she ever get tired? How does her mind even work?"

Before Chen Xun could respond, a cold, low voice cut through the air behind them.

"Chen. Da. Fei."

A chill ran down Chen Dafei's spine. He turned his head stiffly.

There, striding toward them with an unmistakable air of irritation, was Lu Nianxin.

"Oh, hey, Lu!" Chen Dafei grinned. "Got kicked out of the room too?"

Lu Nianxin didn't answer. His glare was locked onto Chen Xun and Chen Dafei, his expression dark and unreadable.

"What the hell are you two standing so close for?" Lu Nianxin snapped.

Before he could make a move, Chen Xun wordlessly stepped away, breaking free from Chen Dafei's casual hold. He stood at a polite distance, perfectly composed.

Chen Xun had noticed something back in that room. And now, seeing Lu Nianxin's reaction… he was starting to suspect he was right.

"We were just talking," Chen Dafei replied. "What else would we be doing?"

Lu Nianxin studied Chen Xun with sharp scrutiny. "Miss Jiang gave you an order. Why are you still here?"

"I'm going now."

Chen Xun nodded, not arguing, and turned to leave.

"Oh no, you don't," Chen Dafei said, catching up. "You haven't answered my question yet."

Lu Nianxin followed immediately, sticking uncomfortably close to Chen Xun's other side.

Chen Xun sighed. "Captain Chen, I can't read minds. If I could, I wouldn't be in this situation."

"So you need to see someone in person?"

Chen Dafei grinned. "Then how about this—after we settle things here in New Chang, I'll take you back to Jinling so you can meet Miss Jiang yourself."

"No, thank you."

"What, are you afraid?"

Chen Xun came to a halt. He looked first at Chen Dafei, then at the distant cluster of bungalows.

"…Not just you, Captain Chen," he said softly. "I'm afraid of her too."

4o