25. Two People Competing in Secret
“…Speak up.”
The child had already gone wild in the amusement park.
Wen Han turned her head, casting a cold glance at Su Zeheng: “How long do you intend to pester me? Let me make one thing clear: I won’t like you. You’re not my type.”
“I… The people from the Recycling Station have their eyes on you, so they won’t stop until they get what they want. I just want to help you get through the probation period of your job, and I don’t have any ulterior motives.”
“Oh? So you’re saying you’re doing this for my sake?” Wen Han took the warm water from the server, “But I never said I wanted to join the Light Magic Society, did I?”
“I didn’t force you to join, but I hope you stay away from evil. Because once you get involved with the magic world, hell, or the Dark Magic Realm—especially the Recycling Station—you’ll no longer be yourself.” Su Zeheng suddenly looked toward the amusement park, “Don’t you worry about your daughter being affected by the Dark Magic Realm?”
“…Don’t use my daughter to threaten me!”
“Not me.” Su Zeheng shook his head, “The Light Magic Society doesn’t harm innocents, nor does it involve others, but that’s not necessarily true for the Dark Magic Realm.”
Wen Han fell silent, deep in thought.
Su Zeheng didn’t speak either, just quietly watching her.
An eerie silence suddenly settled between them, only the sounds of children playing around them, creating an odd contrast.
“I didn’t expect the Light Magic Society to be so fond of poaching members.”
But amidst the silence, a voice suddenly broke through.
With a whoosh, both Wen Han and Su Zeheng turned their heads sharply.
At the entrance of the amusement park, Lin Wuju, drenched in sweat and wearing athletic clothes, wiped his forehead with a towel as he slowly walked over.
“Greetings, I am Lin Wuju,” he smiled warmly, extending his hand to Su Zeheng.
For a moment, it seemed as if time had frozen.
If not for the carefree children running around in the background, Wen Han might have thought she had entered a bullet-time sequence.
She snapped back to reality, noticing Su Zeheng squinting his eyes.
Clearly, he sensed something off about Lin Wuju.
“Hello.” He smiled slightly, standing up, “Su Zeheng.”
Standing across the glass table, the two men shook hands amiably, as if they were close friends.
Yet, in that instant, a powerful magical force began to rapidly fluctuate around them.
Ordinary people wouldn’t notice, but Wen Han instantly raised her eyes, sharply looking at the two men who were smiling amicably yet competing fiercely.
“Poaching members?” Su Zeheng’s smile grew even more friendly, “Mr. Lin, it seems Wen Han hasn’t joined your ranks yet?”
Lin Wuju also smiled brightly, “Since that’s the case, we should let Wen Han decide for herself rather than forcing her to choose, right?”
“Forcing her?” Although Su Zeheng still wore a smile, his teeth were clenched, “I just hope she makes the right decision, not one clouded by evil.”
“What is the right decision?” Lin Wuju’s smile was forced, his lips starting to twitch.
Magical energy surged intensely in the air.
Sitting between the two, Wen Han, who couldn’t perform magic, could feel a wave of magical power like a violent storm emanating from their palms, colliding with each other.
She narrowed her eyes, seeing two different lights enveloping their hands, like shockwaves that had frozen in place, preventing them from advancing further.
“I hope Mr. Su respects Wen Han’s choice.” Lin Wuju’s brows furrowed, “Whether she joins the Recycling Station or the Light Magic Society, she has the right to choose.”
“I’ve always respected her choices and never pressured her; I just told her the truth that Mr. Lin didn’t mention.”
“Truth? Does Mr. Su always think his words are the truth?”
“Does Mr. Lin enjoy sophistry and equivocation?”
Their hands, now visibly trembling, burst with veins.
Wen Han sat silently, her eyes darting between the two.
Suddenly, the glass table between them started to tremble slightly, the glass emitting a buzzing sound like bees flapping their wings.
Wen Han frowned and abruptly stood up, stepping back.
Crash!
A sharp sound echoed, startling the amusement park employees who turned in alarm.
At the same time, Su Zeheng and Lin Wuju each took a step back, panting heavily.
“What’s going on?!” The employees rushed over frantically, “Why did the glass break? Miss, sir, are you okay?”
“We’re fine!” Wen Han and the others replied in unison with smiles.
“Why did the glass suddenly explode?” The employees looked worried, as if fearing a complaint, “Sorry, it might be due to the weather! Really sorry!”
“It’s fine! It’s not your fault!” Su Zeheng quickly responded, “We’re not hurt, but could you please clean this up?”
“Sure, leave it to me! Thank you for understanding!” The employees sighed with relief, “Let me take you to another table.”
Su Zeheng smiled slightly, “Thanks.”
The three exchanged glances, each harboring their own thoughts, and followed the employees to another table.
…
Amidst the sounds of the amusement park employees discussing and cleaning the glass shards, occasionally punctuated by children’s laughter, Wen Han spoke first after sitting down, “Exploding the glass again will be hard to explain.”
Lin Wuju and Su Zeheng exchanged glances, pulling out chairs to sit on either side.
“Mr. Su’s strength is impressive.” Lin Wuju hung the towel around his neck, “Based on my judgment… at least eight thousand, right?”
“Mr. Lin isn’t far behind.” Su Zeheng smiled slightly, “You should also have around eight thousand.”
“Hold on.” Sitting in the middle, Wen Han interrupted their conversation, “Eight thousand… what does that mean?”
“Magic points.” Su Zeheng turned to her, “You can think of it as combat values in a game, the higher the number…”
“The higher the number, the stronger the magic.” Lin Wuju cut in, “Wen Han, there’s a lot you don’t understand about the magic world. I can teach you later.”
“The Light Magic Society has the most systematic and authoritative knowledge in the world.” Su Zeheng continued, “Wen Han, if you want to know more, the Light Library of the Light Magic Society will be open to you free of charge. There are many magic tutors, including myself, who can provide detailed descriptions.”
“Mr. Su, as far as I know, the Light Magic Society doesn’t have a deep understanding of black magic.”
“Is that so? It seems Mr. Lin’s understanding of the Light Magic Society is outdated.”
“…” Wen Han remained silent.
Watching the two continue to compete in secret, she finally rolled her eyes in frustration.
“Both of you, shut up!!!”
