Chapter 103: 103: Follow to the Death
After hurriedly finishing the breakfast left for him on the table, Ye Fei greeted his elder sister before heading downstairs alone. Although he had set out early, his mother and second sister had already left for their respective duties. His eldest sister was meant to drive him to school, but after the recent awkwardness, she was too embarrassed to face him.
This worked out perfectly for Ye Fei, as he hadn't intended to go to school today. Now that the machine was complete, he was eager to find Baldy and the others to test it. Though their families weren't wealthy, except for Zimao, they all had cell phones. After stepping outside, Ye Fei dialed Baldy's number.
Upon hearing Ye Fei had something important to discuss, Baldy and the others, who were already at school, didn't hesitate. They immediately ditched their classes and headed to the designated meeting place. Skipping school was, after all, a familiar practice for them.
Ye Fei had chosen a large hotel owned by the Liu family for their meeting. Given the nature of what he was about to do, he preferred a private and secure location. Where better than his own family's territory?
By the time Baldy and his group arrived, Ye Fei had already booked a spacious suite on the top floor. Having visited the hotel before with his mother, the manager knew him well and assumed he was simply there with friends to relax, suspecting nothing unusual.
For Baldy and his crew, it was their first time entering such a grand place. As they followed Ye Fei through the lavishly decorated halls, they couldn't help but feel awe-struck, almost as though they had wandered into a palace.
When they finally reached the suite, Ye Fei, noticing their amazement, chuckled. "Does it feel like you've stepped into a completely different world?"
"Yeah," Zimao sighed, "I've only seen places like this on TV. I always thought it was all fake or too far from our reality. Now I realize that a life like this exists right next to us." His thoughts drifted to the orphanage where he had grown up, a stark contrast to his current surroundings.
Baldy nodded in agreement. "I bet just a single day of living here would cost more than our families' expenses for a year. It really puts things into perspective." The others murmured in agreement.
Ye Fei smiled knowingly. "So, do you want to live like this every day? Or perhaps even own all this yourself?" His question hung in the air, tempting them.
Though intrigued, the group exchanged uncertain glances. Baldy, representing their shared doubt, chuckled bitterly, "Of course we'd love to, but with our abilities, even if we worked for a lifetime, it wouldn't be enough."
"This is exactly why I called you here," Ye Fei said, his tone turning serious. "I want you to help me with something very dangerous. If you succeed, places like this hotel will mean nothing to you. Are you willing?"
The group hesitated for a moment, exchanging looks again. They had spent so much time together that they could read each other's thoughts without speaking. Baldy, as their leader, finally nodded. "We're willing!"
Ye Fei cautioned them once more, "I need you to understand—this mission is extremely dangerous. It could even cost you your lives. You must be certain."
"I'm completely sure," Zimao said, speaking up first. "With Sister Xue'er now looking after the orphanage, I have no more worries. When you helped us, I decided that my life belongs to you. I'm willing to follow you even without reward. But with the promise of something great, there's no question."
Baldy added, "He's right. We should live a life of significance, not mediocrity. To be honest, when you helped Zimao and the orphanage, we already decided to follow you. We just didn't say anything, afraid that you wouldn't need us. But from now on, you're our leader."
"Yeah, from now on, you're our boss!" the others echoed in unison.
Ye Fei, touched by their sincerity, realized they were speaking from their hearts. What had started as a small gesture had earned him their unwavering loyalty. With a solemn nod, he declared, "Alright, from this moment on, we're brothers! We'll share both joys and hardships together."
"Boss, just tell us what you need us to do!" Baldy and the others were excited, eager to get started.
Instead of answering right away, Ye Fei handed them a steel pipe he had prepared in advance. "See if any of you can bend or break this pipe."
The group took the thick, solid steel pipe with skepticism. It was nearly as wide as their forearms, and the weight caused their arms to sag. Baldy, laughing awkwardly, said, "Boss, you've got to be kidding. How could we break something like this with our bare hands?"
Without a word, Ye Fei took the pipe back, grasped both ends with his hands, and twisted it effortlessly. The steel contorted as though it were soft clay, leaving Baldy and his friends speechless, their jaws practically on the floor.
"Boss... how did you do that?" Baldy stammered, his eyes wide with shock.
Ye Fei grinned and replied, "I've become stronger because of this," pointing to a large box nearby, which had already been assembled.
The group looked at the box in confusion. It appeared ordinary, but Ye Fei spoke with such gravity that they couldn't help but feel there was more to it.
"You all remember how weak I used to be," Ye Fei began. "It was this machine that made me stronger overnight."
As they recalled the times they had bullied Ye Fei, they shifted uncomfortably, embarrassed by their past behavior. But Ye Fei seemed to have long forgotten their wrongdoings. He explained the machine's purpose, how it had transformed him, and the risks involved.
"The danger I mentioned," Ye Fei continued, "is in using this device. While it worked for me, there's no guarantee it will work for you. If it does, you'll gain unimaginable strength. But if it fails, it could cost
you your life—or worse, turn you into something monstrous."
.........
The novel does deserve a gift !