Chapter 4054: Chapter 4073: We’re Not Really Friends, Right?

"Okay, give us the items."

Lin Chen took out a box; this is the Eco-Box, which can preserve pheromones without deterioration.

Previously, Lin Chen always stored them in the Spatial Ring, which was absolutely safe, but now that they left the Spatial Ring, they need to use the Eco-Box.

After Zhang Hanying confirmed the number, she nodded and said, "Once the potion is created, I will have Zhong Jiu inform you."

"Great!"

The main business is considered done, and Zhang Hanying hesitated, then spoke, "I heard you owe Zhong Jiu a favor?"

Lin Chen answered readily, "Yes, is there anything you need us to do?"

Zhang Hanying stared into Lin Chen’s eyes, "Are you willing to take action?"

Lin Chen said with a laugh, "Since we promised, naturally we’ll do it. I can’t guarantee success, but I will try my best."

Zhang Hanying nodded, "Good, with your word that’s enough. Once you get the potion, will you attempt to breakthrough right away?"

Lin Chen nodded, "Yes."

Zhang Hanying’s eyes showed some expectation, "Great, if any of you can successfully promote to Level 8, then I might really need your help."

Lin Chen asked back, "Can’t we help now?"

Zhang Hanying nodded, "Although you are all Seventh Level Peak, it’s still a bit reluctant. If any of you reach Level 8, the success rate will be much higher, and you’ll be much safer."

Since the other party spoke so, Lin Chen didn’t question further, readily nodding, "Okay."

Zhang Hanying stood up, "Then I’ll leave first, you guys can chat."

Zhong Jiu immediately stood up, "Auntie, I’ll see you off...wait for me."

Lin Chen nodded, picked up the Teacup, and slowly savored the tea.

Zhong Jiu accompanied Zhang Hanying out of the Tea House, reached the parking lot, put the box in the car, and got into the car.

Zhong Jiu hesitated for a moment and asked, "Auntie, will this matter cause you Trouble?"

Zhang Hanying looked at Zhong Jiu, a gentle look in her eyes, "Having power and not using it, it expires wasted, I probably won’t stay in this position much longer. Being able to help you one last time, I’m more than happy to."

Zhong Jiu’s eyes flashed with some gloominess, "Are they really so heartless? Auntie, you’ve worked so diligently for so many years, even if there’s no accomplishment, there’s hard work. Are they planning to abandon you after crossing the river?"

Zhang Hanying laughed lightly, "Such is the power struggle. There are many capable people, but not every position can be occupied just by capability."

Zhong Jiu hesitated a bit, then spoke softly, "Auntie, actually you don’t need to insist so much. Now people are gone, even if you bow before them, no one would blame you."

Zhang Hanying smiled slightly, "I don’t want to bow before them, not because of others, but because of myself. If I bow now, then what has all these years of persistence meant?"

"I can be defeated, I can be driven away, but I cannot kneel myself."

After pausing, Zhang Hanying chuckled lightly, "No need to worry about me. With my ability, your auntie would do well anywhere, not necessarily needing to persist in this quagmire. Being driven away might just be a liberation for me."

"Now that you’ve returned home, Auntie advises you, I know there’s something you cannot let go of, I won’t persuade you, but I hope you’ll learn from the past and not aggressively seek promotion to Level 9."

"If you promote to Level 9, naturally all issues can be resolved, but if you greedily advance and fail, you may fall into an irreversible situation."

"This time you were lucky to encounter a unique Lost Ball, earned a huge accomplishment, and escaped that place, but what about next time? Can you guarantee you’ll have such Revitalize again?"

Zhong Jiu nodded, "I will be careful, I won’t fall again."

Zhang Hanying smiled, "As long as you recover to Level 8, even if they target you, they will ultimately leave a line, not press you too hard. As long as you don’t make mistakes, they can’t do anything to you."

"Zhang Ziheng is already Level 8 Peak, but Level 9 is not so easy to breakthrough. You don’t need to rush; just take solid steps and once you recover to your peak state matching his Strength, it won’t be too difficult."

Zhang Hanying advised earnestly, and Zhong Jiu’s eyes turned slightly red.

"Auntie, I will definitely promote to Level 9, to reclaim everything that originally should belong to me, and everything that belongs to you!"

Zhang Hanying showed a gentle smile on her face, "I’ve always believed in you. By the way, are you and Lin Chen considered friends?"

Zhong Jiu hesitated, "He said he’d help because he felt he owed me a favor. Considering him as a friend might not be accurate."

Zhang Hanying nodded, "You’ve always been solitary, this should change a bit. Humans are social creatures, still needing friends. It’s not about having friends with great ability who can help you much, but someone you can talk with, vent your negative emotions, and enjoy being together."

Zhong Jiu subconsciously flashed various scenes of interacting with Lin Chen, paused for a few seconds, and finally reaffirmed, "He is a person worth befriending, but he and I probably aren’t friends." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Zhang Hanying smiled slightly, "For you to evaluate him so, his character must be good."

Zhong Jiu nodded, replying unexpectedly, "He has many wives who have traveled together, never abandoning anyone, and now they are all Seventh Level Peak Martial Artists."

Zhang Hanying appeared a bit surprised, clearly didn’t expect Zhong Jiu to suddenly say this, blinked, and had a few moments of realization on her face, "Are you envious?"

Zhong Jiu froze for a moment, his expression suddenly turned unnatural, "No, I’m just saying his character is quite good."

Zhang Hanying chuckled slightly, suddenly changed the subject, "Recently I learned she hasn’t married. She’s been resisting her family’s arrangements, perhaps waiting for you. Now that you’ve returned, regardless of future togetherness, you should see her and make things clear."

Zhong Jiu’s face immediately reddened two shades, answering awkwardly, "Auntie, why did you suddenly bring this up?"

Zhang Hanying laughed lightly, "Your auntie was young once, naturally understands young people’s feelings. You are somewhat too reserved; it’s unknown what part she likes about you."

After pausing, Zhang Hanying gently reminded, "Maybe you’re thinking of reaching Level 9, having enough weight and ability, then looking for her; but you should know she’s under pressure too. Without your support, she might not reach that day."

"You can’t only consider your feelings; you also need to consider her difficulties and feelings. Some words should be said when the opportunity arises; even if not together in the future, there’d be no regret. But if these words remain unsaid, there might be lifelong regret..."