Chapter 24: Love at First Sight

Mrs. Zhuang, hearing her son’s request, thoughtfully prepared a soft, elegant pair of shoes. She was warm and unpretentious, personally taking the shoes to the young girl in the car.

Initially, she assumed the girl must be from a rural area. But the moment she laid eyes on Dai Ning, she realized she’d been wrong. Raised in a wealthy family herself, Mrs. Zhuang could tell at a glance that the girl before her was even more refined. The girl, youthful with bright eyes, wore a limited edition dress from the latest season and was curiously sizing her up.

Mrs. Zhuang smiled. “I’m Hongxiu’s mother. I brought you a pair of shoes.”

Dai Ning accepted them and found they were simple, cream-colored flats. Instantly taken with them, she sweetly remarked, “You have great taste.”

She rarely said “thank you,” but when she spoke with such charm, it was even more pleasing.

Mrs. Zhuang said, “I’m glad you like them. See if they fit.”

Dai Ning put on the shoes, finally free from the confines of the car. She happily asked, “Are we going to dinner now?”

Seeing her so lively, Mrs. Zhuang thought of her niece and softened. “Yes. Is there anything you’d especially like to eat, Miss Ji? I can arrange it.”

Dai Ning, without hesitation, rattled off a few dishes.

Mrs. Zhuang noted them down. She glanced over at Zhao Yu, standing tall and confident as he spoke with County Magistrate Zhuang, and couldn’t help but ask Dai Ning, “What’s your relationship with this young man Zhao?”

Dai Ning thought for a moment. “There’s no relationship.”

Mrs. Zhuang was a bit surprised. Her son had mentioned how Zhao Yu seemed attentive to Miss Ji, so she had assumed they were close, but apparently not. Deciding to keep her thoughts to herself, Mrs. Zhuang took Dai Ning’s arm and led her into the restaurant.

At dinner, the villagers felt uncomfortable at the table. Living in a small area, they rarely had the chance to meet the county magistrate, let alone dine with him. Zhao Yu, however, appeared composed. Magistrate Zhuang admired his skill, finding the young man from the village to be insightful, and the more they talked, the more they clicked.

Hongxiu said excitedly, “See? I told you Brother Yu is impressive.”

After all, there was no one else in Huan County who could capture Shen Tuo Shen and his accomplices so easily, without any force.

The Shen family had committed countless crimes, enough to merit the death penalty.

While conversing with the magistrate, Zhao Yu’s attention drifted to Dai Ning. She was sitting comfortably next to Mrs. Zhuang, directing a server to pour her a fruit tea.

Meanwhile, Du Tian looked uncomfortable. Though the taste in her mouth had faded, she couldn’t ignore it entirely, so she restrained herself from eating to maintain her refined image. Watching Zhao Yu begin his path to success, Du Tian became even more determined not to let him go.

The magistrate subtly hinted to Zhao Yu, “Shen Tuo She is a criminal our county police have been after with a bounty. In fact, he currently holds the record for the highest reward amount. As the total has kept increasing, I believe it’s reached one million.”

Hearing the number, Zhao Yu was quite taken aback but showed no emotion as he nodded.

Midway through the meal, a woman in a chic designer suit entered. She had striking features, and upon seeing her, Hongxiu called, “Cousin!”

Her name was Lan Rongrong.

Lan Rongrong replied cheerfully, “Hongxiu, you’re really back safe!”

Hongxiu nodded, his attitude distant but polite.

Mrs. Zhuang was delighted. “Rongrong, come sit.”

The name “Rongrong” didn’t mean much to Dai Ning, but Du Tian’s expression changed, and she stared intently at Lan Rongrong.

Qingtuan whispered to Dai Ning, “In the original story, Lan Rongrong admires the main character Zhao Yu and helps him in many ways. In your human terms, she’s a ‘close confidante.’”

In male-oriented stories, when the protagonist’s luck turns, helpers inevitably appear. It seemed that the official plot had started, with the escort of Shen Tuo She.

Just as expected, Lan Rongrong’s gaze quickly fixed on Zhao Yu. Of everyone present, the prettiest was Dai Ning, and the most authoritative was the magistrate, yet Lan Rongrong’s attention stayed on Zhao Yu from the moment she saw him. For the first time, Dai Ning truly felt she was in a male-centric novel.

Lan Rongrong asked, “Who might this be?”

Mrs. Zhuang promptly introduced Zhao Yu to her, and Lan Rongrong politely smiled, saying, “So, you’re the one who saved Hongxiu.”

With a graceful smile, she cast an appreciative glance at Zhao Yu. Seeing this, Du Tian’s face darkened, and she clenched her fists tightly.

Zhao Yu nodded. “Nice to meet you, Miss Lan.”

Dai Ning rested her chin on her hand, thoroughly entertained by the scene. Seeing Du Tian fume made her especially happy.

To be fair, she didn’t particularly care who Zhao Yu liked, as long as it wasn’t Du Tian; if it was this Lan Rongrong, that would be fine.

Zhao Yu sensed Dai Ning’s gaze and glanced over at her from across the table.

As the meal wound down, Lan Rongrong said, “You’ve arrived at just the right time. Tonight, we’re celebrating Huan County’s traditional festival with offerings to the kitchen god^[1]The Kitchen God (灶神, Zào Shén) in Chinese folklore is a household deity believed to watch over the family, report their deeds to heaven, and bring blessings or misfortune based on their … Continue reading and a harvest festival. There will also be lion dances and a window display. It’s really lively. I happen to be free and could show you all around.”

Zhao Yu was about to refuse, but Dai Ning’s eyes lit up as she eagerly agreed. “Yes, yes! I want to go! Take me, please.”

Lan Rongrong’s attention finally shifted to the most beautiful girl present, Dai Ning.

Lan Rongrong’s interest wasn’t in Dai Ning, but she couldn’t refuse after Dai Ning’s request. So, smiling, she agreed. “Sure.”

Zhao Yu gave a warning. “Ji Dai Ning.”

Dai Ning ignored him. “I came to Huan County just because I heard it’s fun here.” She was keen to experience the local customs and street food.

Magistrate Zhuang, oblivious to the undercurrents, warmly encouraged them, “Huan County is indeed a lively place. You young people should take the chance to look around.”

When asked if the villagers wanted to join, the men quickly shook their heads, clearly uncomfortable and eager to return home.

After dinner, Dai Ning tugged at Lan Rongrong. “Come on, let’s go.”

Lan Rongrong tried to convince Zhao Yu once more. Zhao Yu frowned, frustrated by Dai Ning’s unpredictability. He didn’t want her to wander off alone, but the idea of going along was equally annoying.

Could she not stay put for just one day?

Not interested in the festivities, the other men followed Magistrate Zhuang’s arrangements to return to the hotel.

Suddenly, Dai Ning came back and, tilting her head up to Zhao Yu, held out her hand. “I didn’t bring any money. Give me some, will you?”

Zhao Yu’s face remained expressionless as he calmly said “Neither do I. Perfect, just don’t wander off.”

Dai Ning wrinkled her nose, clearly displeased. “You’re a broke loser.”

She didn’t have any money, but she still insisted on going. She turned around and followed Lan Rongrong. Zhao Yu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t ignore her and followed the two girls.

Du Tian felt uneasy watching this but dared not speak up. She tried to comfort herself, telling herself it would be fine. With Dai Ning around, no matter how beautiful she was, Zhao Yu wouldn’t be interested in her.

Before, it had been difficult to even have a decent conversation with Zhao Yu when Dai Ning was present, so logically, Lan Rongrong would stand no chance either.

But Du Tian clearly hadn’t anticipated that Dai Ning wasn’t going to walk with them. She left Zhao Yu and Lan Rongrong behind, choosing instead to stroll through the crowd on her own.

Lan Rongrong felt secretly pleased. Since Dai Ning wasn’t a bother, it was a good opportunity for her to strike up a conversation with Zhao Yu, asking him about where he was from, how old he was, and his family background.

Zhao Yu casually answered her questions, his eyes, however, remained fixed on the young lady ahead.

Dai Ning walked energetically through the crowd. Her beauty caught the attention of everyone she passed. She usually bought whatever she liked when out shopping, but today she was short on cash. Without Uncle Qian and Zhang Yongfeng around, she still couldn’t resist an antique candlestick she liked. She picked it up, examining it while glancing back at Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu’s face tensed. He glanced back at her indifferently.

She smiled mischievously and made a face at him, not caring what he or Lan Rongrong were discussing. She set the candlestick down and ran off into the crowd toward the lion dance.

Zhao Yu quickly followed her, but as he passed the candlestick stall, he hesitated for a moment before buying the candlestick.

Lan Rongrong noticed this and wasn’t very happy.

From Zhao Yu’s responses, she could tell he was younger than her and that his family situation was not very good. But with her own wealthy family background, she didn’t care about such things.

Lan Rongrong didn’t know Dai Ning’s true identity. She assumed she was just another girl from a rural village, and even though her clothes seemed expensive, they were most likely gifts from an aunt. Confident in her superior background, she thought that there was no way Zhao Yu would give up on her—someone as well-off as her. When she saw that Zhao Yu’s attention was all on Dai Ning, she felt a surge of discontent.

The lion dance team passed by, a rare traditional sight in today’s world.

Lan Rongrong stopped Zhao Yu and raised her eyebrows slightly. “Our Huan County also has a famous drink, honey pomelo wine. Zhao Yu, would you like to try some?”

“Thank you, Miss Lan, but I don’t drink.”

Lan Rongrong looked regretful but before she could say anything else, Zhao Yu’s expression changed. He focused intently, scanning the crowd. Dai Ning was nowhere to be seen.

He ignored Lan Rongrong and quickly pushed through the crowd searching for her.

Huan County was a town that valued traditional culture, and many people wore masks during festivals. Colorful window decorations hung in rows, swaying with the night wind. From a distance, it was impossible to tell who was who.

Though Zhao Yu was tall, the crowd was thick and there was no sign of Dai Ning.

His face darkened, and he regretted wasting time with pleasantries with Lan Rongrong. How had she disappeared so suddenly?

Lan Rongrong, seeing his anxiety, stopped him and nonchalantly said, “Don’t worry, Miss Ji is not a child. Once she’s had her fun, she’ll come back. We…”

Zhao Yu’s face grew darker. “Dai Ning is here for the first time, and she has no money on her. Miss Lan, if you don’t want to help, please don’t stand in my way.”

Not to mention her beauty—Dai Ning, alone outside, could easily fall into danger.

Lan Rongrong, shocked, stared at Zhao Yu, growing angry.

She wasn’t without admirers. What was so special about Zhao Yu? Deciding to ignore him, she turned and walked away.

But just as she took two steps, a knife swung through the air, and the crowd erupted into chaos. Lan Rongrong’s scream was caught in her throat. Zhao Yu reacted swiftly, pulling her back just as several masked men rushed toward her, trying to drag her away.

Zhao Yu shoved her into the lion dance crowd and coldly ordered, “Stay alert!”

Lan Rongrong understood immediately and hurriedly dove into the crowd. The men lost their target and seemed confused. One of them suddenly lunged at Zhao Yu with a knife.

Zhao Yu had no choice but to block it with his arm, blood quickly soaking through his sleeve.

He kicked away the attacker’s knife aimed at his stomach, realizing with shock that these people intended to kill him. He grabbed whatever was nearby to defend himself, when someone shouted, “The police are here!”

People in the street scattered. The attackers exchanged glances and quickly fled.

Not far off, a police car was parked, and the armed police had come to maintain order. By sheer coincidence, this saved Zhao Yu and Lan Rongrong.

A young officer approached them and asked, “What happened?”

Zhao Yu frowned. Lan Rongrong emerged from the crowd, concerned. “Are you alright, Zhao Yu?”

“I’m fine,” Zhao Yu motioned for her to explain things to the police. He added, “I’ve lost a friend. I’m worried she might be in danger. I’m going to find her.”

He pressed his hand to his bleeding arm, his jacket soaked in blood. He followed the direction he’d last seen Dai Ning, asking along the way.

He walked from the Huan County window flower exhibit to the modern fountain at the end of the street, with neon lights behind the large bridge, but still no sign of Dai Ning.

Lan Rongrong caught up with him. “You should go to the hospital first.”

Zhao Yu’s frown deepened. “I need to find her first.”

His mind raced as he quickly pieced together what had happened. The events tonight were connected to Shen Tuo She. These men had likely planned to take Lan Rongrong hostage in exchange for Shen Tuo She, and because Zhao Yu had caught him, they were now out for his life.

If Dai Ning encountered those people, the consequences would be unimaginable. He pressed his injury and continued forward, regretting bringing her out to play tonight.

——

The bridge was lit up by neon lights as the girl removed the sharp-toothed mask from her face and sighed.

“It’s a pity no one died.”

Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth as she coughed a few times, rubbing her chest. She complained to Qingtuan, “It hurts so much.”

Qingtuan fell silent for a while before speaking softly, “I told you long ago, don’t try to harm Zhao Yu or block his path. You’re a minor character in this book, but he is a man of great fortune. He hasn’t been affected yet, but you almost got wiped out by fate. Don’t do that again. Just disrupt his relationship with the female lead. Do you remember what happened when you opposed Du Tian, who carries fate in her hands?”

“I didn’t know,” Dai Ning wiped the blood from her lips, her voice sweet with a hint of laughter. “I thought if something happened to Lan Rongrong, Zhao Yu wouldn’t have any help to get out of here. Shen Tuo She’s subordinates are just too useless.”

Despite leaking the information, the people under Shen Tuo She’s command couldn’t catch up with the convoy in time to save him. Now, even after failing to capture Lan Rongrong, they couldn’t even kill Zhao Yu.

It was clear that small characters were bound by the rules of the book, unable to accomplish anything significant.

Qingtuan had been holding back, then muttered, “I thought you had feelings for Zhao Yu. After all, he… treated you well.” But when Dai Ning decided to use others’ hands to kill Zhao Yu, even Qingtuan hadn’t anticipated it.

Qingtuan hesitated for a moment, then said awkwardly, “Was that iron piece on Shen Tuo She something you gave him?”

At the time, it hadn’t noticed, but in hindsight, it seemed like Dai Ning had the opportunity to tamper with things. Later, she even delayed Zhao Yu for a while. If it weren’t for the male lead’s vigilance and Shen Tuo She’s incompetence, these people would have already escaped.

If Zhao Yu lost the opportunity to catch Shen Tuo She, his fate would have truly been rewritten.

Dai Ning blinked and smiled, seemingly not understanding what Qingtuan was saying.

“I’m going to find him.”

She tossed aside the mask and casually ran off the bridge.

At the brightest spot, Zhao Yu was blocking a middle-aged woman and asking, “Have you seen a girl, very tall, very beautiful, wearing high heels?”

The woman looked toward the bridge and pointed. “Is it her?”

Zhao Yu turned around, and amidst the dazzling night lights, Dai Ning was running toward him, frowning as she complained, “Zhao Yu, where have you been? You’re such a big person, how did you get lost?!”

Zhao Yu, already used to her blaming him first, felt a wave of dizziness and exhaustion as he saw that she was safe.

Dai Ning grabbed his arm and rubbed her eyes. “I’m tired. I want to go back and sleep.”

Zhao Yu softly replied, “Alright, let’s go.”

His clothes were soaked with blood, and his lips were pale, but Dai Ning didn’t notice. He didn’t mention it either.

As they walked back, they ran into Lan Rongrong.

Lan Rongrong saw Dai Ning and immediately got angry. “I told you she was fine! Zhao Yu, you’re hurt so badly. We should go to the hospital.”

Dai Ning, hearing this, looked at Zhao Yu in confusion. He lowered his head, replying calmly, “It’s fine.”

Dai Ning finally noticed the blood soaking his sleeve and gently touched his hanging arm. She looked a little troubled, hesitated for a while, and finally asked, “Does it hurt? I’m not going to sleep now. Let’s go to the hospital.”

He smiled a little more in his eyes. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”