Chapter 386: Xiao Dapeng’s Choice “Xiao Dapeng’s Choice” This is the text content of Chapter 386 of the novel *Rural Beauty 386*. Lu Yun smiled and took Lei's shoulder, saying, "Let's go." They walked together toward the outside of the forest. Lei asked, "Bro, it seems Zhao Kai has decided to let you off this time. That's not like his usual style, and there's also his uncle's instruction. This situation seems a bit suspicious." Lu Yun looked at Lei with satisfaction. Though Lei might not be the strongest fighter, his mind was definitely sharp and he was good at thinking through the nuances of any situation. "I'll tell you all about it once Da Peng returns," Lu Yun replied casually, while inwardly pondering whether Da Peng could withstand the terms Zhao Kai had offered—those conditions were indeed very attractive. Lu Yun and Lei Zi were strolling casually around the campus. In no time, Xiao Dapeng burst into a heavy panting, rushing up to them, his face flushed and his eyes shining with excitement—either from the sprint or something else entirely. This content is from Chapter 386 of "Rural Beauty." Lei Zi slightly furrowed his brow, looking at Xiao Dapeng and asking, "Dapeng, what's wrong? Is something exciting happening?" Internally, however, he was quietly wondering if Xiao Dapeng might have been persuaded by Zhao Kai. After glancing at the two of them, Xiao Dapeng took a few deep breaths and said, "Let's find a spot. I have something to discuss with you both." Lu Yun and Lei Zi exchanged a glance and followed Xiao Dapeng to a quiet spot under a large tree. "So, what's on your mind?" Lei Zi asked. From the way Xiao Dapeng was looking, Lu Yun already had a strong sense of what was coming, so he didn't ask any questions—just waited for Xiao Dapeng to reveal the details himself. Xiao Dapeng flushed slightly when Li Zi asked him, chuckled and said, "Just now, when I left with Zhao Kai, you must have seen that, right?" Both Lu Yun and Li Zi nodded in unison. Li Zi then asked, "So what? Aren't you being bought off by him now, becoming his mere lackey?" As childhood playmates who grew up barefoot together, Li Zi spoke freely without regard for Xiao Dapeng's feelings. Xiao Dapeng felt embarrassed and replied, "Li Zi, please don't put it so bluntly. Yun, didn't Zhao Kai invite you for lunch today specifically to talk about this?" "Ah, yes." Lu Yun nodded, offering a brief confirmation. Li Zi looked between Lu Yun and Xiao Dapeng, still puzzled, and sighed, "What's the hold-up between you two? What exactly did Zhao Kai tell you?" With Lu Yun's confirmation, Xiao Dapeng felt a little reassured. He then looked at Li Zi and said, "Li Zi, Zhao Kai did indeed come to me, and he really wanted me to take my team of about forty or fifty men along with him." "Lei said, 'You agreed?' Xiao Dapeng replied, 'I agreed. The terms he proposed were very attractive, and he's already established the "Group of Talents," with a solid group of supporters under his command—our group of just a few dozen simply can't compete. Moreover, this man has great ambitions. He aims to absorb several nearby middle schools into his sphere of influence. He plans to test his strength against Yanwangmiao Middle School in about fifteen days. If successful, he wants me to serve as the head of our school. Given that, I simply won't be able to keep up with him. Yunge refuses to take us along with him. After careful thought, I've decided to accept.' As soon as Xiao Dapeng finished speaking, Lei exploded, leaping up and pointing directly at him, shouting, 'Xiao Dapeng, I really thought I knew you! I completely forgot how Zhao Kai handled you—now you've become his right-hand man. Are you seriously out of your mind?' "Lei, what are you shouting about? Yun Brother already knows this matter—he should have his say. This content is from Chapter 386 of 'Rural Beauty.' Xiao Dapeng wasn't upset; he simply turned his gaze to Lu Yun and said, "Yun Brother, do you think I'm wrong? Instead of fighting internally at school, why not expand our presence outside? Once we gain strength, we can even move into county-level middle schools. Honestly, my chances of making it academically in the long run are gone. Maybe it's better to just settle down and focus on building a solid foundation." Lu Yun hadn't spoken yet, but Lei interrupted, shouting, "I say, you'll be nothing but a disposable asset to Zhao Kai—eventually he'll treat you like a cannon fodder." Xiao Dapeng replied, "Lei, what else can I do? Unless Yun Brother agrees right now to make me the leader, I'll continue to follow him just as I did before." "Forget it. You're so inconsistent in your stance—no matter how loyal you claim to be, you'll likely remain a loyalist in spirit while serving Yun Brother, acting as a spy for Zhao Kai, perhaps." "Lei, Peng's choice was right. If it weren't for Zhao Kai's prior threats, I might have ended up following him too," Xiao Dapeng's face grew increasingly stern. Lu Yun didn't want his words to create any friction between Lei and Xiao Dapeng, who had been close since childhood. "Cloud brother..." Lei wasn't stupid—Lu Yun's words clearly indicated his concern about possibly clashing with Xiao Dapeng. But Lu Yun didn't realize that even if they argued fiercely, day after day, their friendship would still remain just as strong as before. Seeing Lu Yun speak up, Xiao Dapeng feared Lei might say something harsh, so he quickly interjected, "Cloud brother, I'm truly sorry. If anyone ever causes you trouble at school—whether it's Zhao Kai himself or someone else—I won't hesitate to step in. I'm off now." He glanced at Lei, a touch embarrassed, and added, "Lei, whenever Cloud brother faces any difficulties in the future, please make sure to let me know right away." "Just go already! Don't stand in my way anymore." "Lei remembered his earlier pledge to Lu Yun, solemn and firm, that the great crane would never be bought off by Zhao Kai. Yet here he was, just moments later, switching his allegiance to Zhao Kai. Frustrated, Lei didn't want to drag Peng any further, lest Lu Yun feel pressured. As Xiao Dapeng turned to walk away, he suddenly paused and said to Lu Yun, 'Yun-guo, your dispute with Zhao Kai might not be so easily resolved. Perhaps you should consider his terms.' Seeing Lei about to explode, Lu Yun gave him a warm, cheerful smile and stepped off. Lei was nearly furious, glancing at Lu Yun as if he were completely unbothered, and exclaimed, 'Yun-guo, can't you just agree to lead us?'