Chapter 47: You Dare Come Back

Chu Tianfeng was deeply frustrated. The money he was supposed to collect hadn’t come in, yet he’d spent what he shouldn’t have. A full fifty-eight thousand vanished—a loss that, with every bill thrown away, felt like a chunk of his own flesh was being sliced off, the pain excruciating.

After running for more than half an hour, he finally lost all his pursuers. Glancing around to make sure no one was near, he quickly took off his mask and changed his black T-shirt for a white one.

He could no longer use the middle-aged mask, as it had already been seen by the police, and going bare-faced was even more dangerous. His real features were probably recognized by every martial artist in all of Huaxia.

With no other choice, Chu Tianfeng headed to a hair salon and spent a thousand on two wigs—one a wild, curly explosion, the other a long, straight cascade. He planned to return to Shudian Film City, buy two masks from a random film crew—one for use, one as backup—to avoid being caught off guard like today.

As for the eleven thousand owed by Liu Zhijian, he had to leave it be for now; the old fox had the police as his shield, and Chu Tianfeng didn’t dare make trouble for him in the short term. Still, Chu Tianfeng hated being taken advantage of. The fifty-eight thousand he’d lost today, he fully intended to have Liu Zhijian reimburse in the future. He wasn’t worried—the man still carried a bit of his infused true energy and couldn’t run far.

“Hey, looking for work, beautiful?” No sooner had he stepped out of Shudian Bus Station than he heard a familiar, cocky voice.

Seeing Peng Yongliang and Yuan Qi, still sporting their bandages, Chu Tianfeng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. All he’d done was don a long wig, and already Peng Yongliang mistook him for a woman.

“I know plenty of directors, I guarantee you’ll find a good job,” Peng Yongliang, oblivious to his own bad luck, continued to pester Chu Tianfeng.

Suddenly, Chu Tianfeng spun around, grabbed them both, and, with a hand on each collar, dragged them to the wall.

The two of them were stunned, completely at a loss as to what had just happened.

“Surprised?” Chu Tianfeng slowly infused true energy into their bodies.

“You… you dare come back?” Now face to face, Peng Yongliang instantly recognized him.

Chu Tianfeng smiled faintly, his mind flickering, and instantly the two felt as if their bodies were being eaten alive by a thousand insects, the pain indescribable.

“Aaah—”

Just as they opened their mouths to scream, Chu Tianfeng swiftly struck their mute points, rendering them voiceless.

The two, unable to make a sound, stared at Chu Tianfeng in terror, unable to understand how he had become so formidable.

“Do you understand now?” Chu Tianfeng’s face maintained a gentle smile, angelic in its serenity.

They blinked desperately in acknowledgment. To them, that smile looked more like a demon’s.

“If I wanted to kill you, it would be as easy as crushing two ants.” Chu Tianfeng shrugged.

He truly wanted to be rid of the pair, but it was broad daylight—he didn’t dare be so brazen.

They blinked again frantically, humming through their noses.

Chu Tianfeng waved a hand and released their acupoints.

“Don’t kill us! We can help you!” Peng Yongliang begged.

“What can you do?” Chu Tianfeng’s mind raced.

These two were local thugs; having them as henchmen would certainly make things easier.

“Anything you say. We’ll do anything!” Peng Yongliang’s desperation showed in the veins bulging on his forehead.

Yuan Qi nodded vigorously.

“Even murder?” Chu Tianfeng’s lips curled into a smile.

“Ah?” Both were petrified.

“Hmph. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Chu Tianfeng laughed softly. “Relax, I won’t have you kill anyone. Go on, wait for my call.”

“Alright, alright!” They looked as if they’d been granted amnesty.

“Remember, don’t try anything clever.” Chu Tianfeng kicked each of them away. “Otherwise, I’ll make you wish you were dead.”

“We wouldn’t dare, truly,” they stammered, scrambling to their feet and running off as fast as they could.

After sending them off, Chu Tianfeng hurried to a film crew, intending to buy two masks. To his dismay, the prices were astronomical. He’d hoped for two men’s masks—especially bushy-bearded ones to conceal his features—but each cost forty or fifty thousand, nearly scaring him out of his wits.

The women’s masks were relatively cheaper, just twenty thousand apiece, so he bought one. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for; this mask was far more realistic than the one he’d stolen from the “Battle of Red Cliffs” crew last time. Even Chu Xiang, were she still alive, wouldn’t recognize him.

The only downside was that he now appeared as a woman—a beautiful one at that—which was awkward in its own way.

If he was going to be a woman, he needed the proper attire. After some thought, he returned to Wushi to buy a few bras.

He didn’t care for brands or quality, only price—the cheaper, the better. Unfortunately, it seemed every woman in the city was either wealthy or had a penchant for expensive lingerie. Every shop he tried was pricier and more luxurious than the last.

Left with no choice, he wandered into a roadside lingerie shop.

“Hello, miss! What kind of lingerie are you looking for?” The saleswoman was, he had to admit, very friendly.

“Uh… something with less fabric,” Chu Tianfeng figured the less material, the cheaper.

“Mmm.” The saleswoman smiled. “Looking for something sexy?”

“Sexy lingerie?” Chu Tianfeng broke out in a cold sweat.

“Yes, that kind usually uses the least material. Take a look.” She pointed to a giant poster on the wall.

“No, I’ll just take something ordinary.” Flushing, Chu Tianfeng hurried to redirect. “That one will do.”

The saleswoman followed his finger. “Oh, this one’s nice—very comfortable.”

The style was somewhat retro, more like a cropped undershirt.

“What size do you need?” she asked.

“Uh, um…” Chu Tianfeng started sweating again. “Maybe a B cup…”

“For yourself?” The saleswoman couldn’t help but smile, thinking that petite girls really were self-conscious, no matter how pretty.

Chu Tianfeng nodded.

“Maybe you should try an A cup,” she said, puffing out her chest.

“B is fine,” Chu Tianfeng said, unable to look at her. “I like it a bit loose.”

“Are you sure?” Her facial muscles twitched.

“I’m sure,” Chu Tianfeng replied, using a touch of true energy to puff out his chest beneath his shirt. “I’ll take two.”

The saleswoman quickly turned away, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Chu Tianfeng wished he could dig a hole and disappear.

Just then, two graceful figures entered the shop.

The moment Chu Tianfeng saw them, he wished he were dead.

He knew then that even digging a hole wouldn’t save him.

The newcomers were none other than Hua Wu and Lin Qi!

Hua Wu’s brows were furrowed in worry, her face shadowed with anxiety, while Lin Qi wore her usual soft smile.

“It must be a misunderstanding. He’s always timid and avoids trouble—how could he have gotten mixed up with the police?” Hua Wu’s voice was soft, but Chu Tianfeng heard every word.

“You know him that well?” asked Lin Qi.

Before Hua Wu could reply, a saleswoman appeared. “Hello, can I help you?”

“Oh,” Lin Qi nudged Hua Wu, “I heard you’ve got some new lingerie in. We wanted to take a look.”

Hua Wu finally looked up, scanning the shop.

Chu Tianfeng quickly turned toward the register.

“Hey,” Hua Wu suddenly called out.

Chu Tianfeng froze.

He forced himself to turn, pitching his voice as high as he could. “Are you talking to me?”

“Sorry, it’s just… your back reminds me of a friend,” Hua Wu said, studying his face.

“No problem,” Chu Tianfeng replied, and hurried to the register.

She watched his retreating back, lost in thought.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Qi asked.

Hua Wu shook her head.

“Don’t overthink it.” Lin Qi tugged her away. “Come on, help me pick something out.”

“I just wonder how he’s doing,” Hua Wu murmured, almost to herself.

“Don’t worry. He’s amazing—he’ll be fine,” Lin Qi reassured her, patting her shoulder.

“I just don’t get it. When did he learn all those skills?” Hua Wu forced a smile. “He used to be so clueless, afraid to fight anyone.”

As Chu Tianfeng paid, he kept his ears trained on their conversation.

“Could you get me that one, size thirty-six C?” Lin Qi pointed at a poster.

“Of course, just a moment,” the saleswoman replied.

“People change,” Lin Qi said, arching her back. “Which do you like?”

Hua Wu shook her head again. “I used to know him pretty well, but lately he’s changed so much, I hardly recognize him.”

“Oh?” Lin Qi looked at her, puzzled.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” Hua Wu whispered, glancing around to ensure privacy. “He’s actually very young—three years younger than me.”

“What? That can’t be!” Lin Qi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Chu Tianfeng shook his head inwardly, but dared not intervene.

“I told you, he’s an actor. Disguising himself as a middle-aged man isn’t hard.” Hua Wu took out her phone, fiddled with it, and handed it to Lin Qi. “This is what he really looks like.”

“Wow, he’s handsome!” Lin Qi gasped.

Chu Tianfeng rolled his eyes.

“Handsome?” Hua Wu laughed. “I don’t see it.”

“Honestly, he’s a bit too pretty,” Lin Qi returned the phone. “I can’t picture him as that superhero last night.”

Just then, the saleswoman handed Chu Tianfeng the lingerie, and he nearly dropped it.

“Yeah, I never expected it either.” Hua Wu looked at him. “I really want to ask him what he’s been through all these years—what secrets he’s kept from me.”

Chu Tianfeng turned away and hurried toward the door.

“Hey,” another bright voice called behind him.

Chu Tianfeng nearly dropped to his knees.

“Your change, sir.” The voice called again.

He let out a long breath, wiping sweat from his brow.

“That’s five hundred sixty for each, two for a total of one thousand one hundred twenty. You gave twelve hundred; here’s your eighty in change. Please keep it safe.” The cashier handed him the bills.

“Thank you!” Chu Tianfeng managed an awkward grin, took his change, and fled the shop as if escaping for his life.