Chapter 018: The Reason for Joining the Team—Welcome Aboard!
Chapter 18
“Let’s eat ice cream!” Han Yuesu said irritably.
Unexpectedly, Xiaoyuan’s eyes lit up. “Ice cream sounds great! I love ice cream. And if we add hotpot after that…”
Crack!
A shard of ice suddenly formed right in front of Xiaoyuan, startling her so much that a stray hair on her head stood on end.
“Susu, don’t joke around.”
“You started it. Tell me, who do you think is better suited to join our squad?”
Facing four pairs of eyes, Xiaoyuan blinked. “Didn’t we say whoever wins the fight joins?”
“But the problem is, both of them were knocked out of the fire circle at the same time,” Ling Xiao scratched his face.
Xiaoyuan tilted her head, looking at the two not far away. “Judging by their injuries, the chubbier one seems to be worse off~”
Han Yuesu frowned at that. It was indeed a valid criterion.
After all, in a fight without terrain restrictions, the one who is less injured—Yu Le—has a better chance of killing the opponent.
“So, you think Yu Le is the right choice?” Geng Xiao asked.
Xiaoyuan propped her chin on her hands. “Why only recruit one? Both are good. Why not take both? Don’t tell me our squad can’t pay more salaries. If that’s the case, I’m outta here~”
The four were speechless.
Ling Xiao looked at Geng Xiao and Han Yuesu. “Captain Geng, Captain Han, I think Xiaoyuan makes a good point. Why not recruit both? It would strengthen our squad.”
Han Yuesu tapped the table. “Our squad operates in teams of three. Recruiting a seventh member would mean changing our tactics.”
“Captain Han’s as old-fashioned as ever…” Meng Huai muttered quietly.
“You can say that louder,” Han Yuesu shot a cold glance, and Meng Huai felt a chill down his spine.
Between Su Rui and Yu Le, Xiaoyuan chose “or.” Finally, all eyes turned to Geng Xiao, the captain.
No matter the discussion, the final decision rested with the captain.
Geng Xiao smiled faintly. “Let’s go talk to them.”
The five members of the Burning Sky squad approached Yu Le and Su Rui.
“You both performed excellently. We haven’t made up our minds yet. Could you tell us why you want to join the Burning Sky squad?”
Reasons?
Lost in thought, Su Rui suddenly lifted his head, his eyes blazing with passion.
Before Yu Le could speak, Su Rui clenched his fist. “I want to fight for something. Not to prove I’m great, but to tell everyone that what I’ve lost, I will take back...”
“Ahem, let’s skip the dramatic speeches.” Geng Xiao interrupted.
Su Rui’s expression turned awkward, then he spoke his true reason. “I have an older brother who’s better than me in every way. He’s the pride of the Su family. Under his shadow, I’m just a spoiled heir with no purpose.”
“Your brother is?” Geng Xiao was curious.
“Su Chi, the deputy captain of the Thunder Hunt demon-hunting squad.”
Geng Xiao looked at Han Yuesu, who understood immediately. “No wonder. The Thunder Hunt squad and our Burning Sky squad have always been rivals. So you want to join us to prove you’re not inferior to your brother?”
“Yes!” Su Rui nodded.
Yu Le had no chance to speak on these topics, but he noticed the Burning Sky squad regarded Su Rui’s words positively.
“Your turn,” Han Yuesu asked Yu Le.
Yu Le’s expression turned serious, hesitant.
“What, can’t even think of an excuse?” Han Yuesu narrowed her eyes.
Yu Le shook his head. “You don’t have to be so hostile toward me. You’re decent-looking, but I’m not interested in you at all.”
A cold wind blew. Ling Xiao and Meng Huai’s eyes widened.
Brother, you’re bold!
With Han Yuesu’s looks and figure, you merely say she’s ‘decent’?
But Yu Le, whose ex-wife was the incomparable Feng Jiujiao, truly thought Han Yuesu was just ‘decent.’
Even in terms of icy beauty, she couldn’t compare to Feng Jiujiao.
Han Yuesu’s expression remained unchanged. “I’m asking why you want to join Burning Sky. We don’t recruit those with impure motives. After all, we rely on each other’s backs!”
Geng Xiao waved his hand, stopping Han Yuesu. “Yu Le, do you have something you’re hiding?”
“If it’s not a matter of principle, you can tell us. As teammates, trust is the most important thing. Without it, you’re not fit to join us.”
Hearing Geng Xiao’s words, Yu Le’s gaze grew determined.
“I have no secret to hide. I want to join Burning Sky because of its record and strength. My personal goal is…”
“To find my daughter!”
At these words, even Han Yuesu, who had been hostile, was stunned.
Geng Xiao’s expression tightened. “Find your daughter? Your daughter...”
“My daughter went missing two weeks ago. I overheard at the security bureau that a gang of traffickers are on the loose in Burning City. Most likely, they kidnapped her. I can’t rely on the officials. Alone, I’m too weak, so I want…”
“So you want a force that can gather intelligence and help you find your daughter,” Han Yuesu finished for him.
“Yes!” Now that he’d said it, Yu Le felt no embarrassment.
The group looked at each other.
Finally, Geng Xiao smiled and extended his hand. “Welcome to the Burning Sky squad.”
Huh?
Yu Le had expected rejection after revealing his purpose. After all, no one was obliged to help him find his daughter. Recruiting him would be a burden.
Yet Geng Xiao chose to accept that burden.
Light returned to Yu Le’s eyes as he grasped Geng Xiao’s hand and stood.
The others’ expressions, including Han Yuesu’s, softened slightly.
“Welcome to the Burning Sky squad.”
Meanwhile, Su Rui had lost his sharpness, stumbling to his feet and patting off dust as if ready to leave.
“Where are you going, little fatty?” Meng Huai called after him.
Su Rui turned with an awkward smile. “Compared to me, this uncle needs to join Burning Sky more. I, Su Rui, can pick up and let go. Uncle, I hope you find your daughter soon.”
“Thank you!” Yu Le sincerely expressed his gratitude.
Just as Su Rui was about to leave, Meng Huai called out again, “Why not stay?”
Su Rui blinked. “If I don’t stay, will you support me?”
“You want me to support you?”
Yu Le turned to look at the five who were about to become his teammates.
Geng Xiao opened his arms to Su Rui. “We’ve decided to make an exception and recruit two people this time. Su Rui, will you be our teammate?”
“Yes!” After a brief moment of surprise, Su Rui clenched his fist.
“I’m willing. Everyone, please guide me in the future!”
“Uncle, finding your daughter is my responsibility too!”
Su Rui and Yu Le exchanged smiles.