Chapter 29: Rescued by It (Part 1)

Even after getting out of the bus, Dai Ning still couldn’t believe what had happened.

With the high temperature in the bus, plus Zhao Yu’s warm hand, her legs weren’t cold at all anymore.

“When we meet the county magistrate, be polite, alright?” Zhao Yu’s voice was low, rich like a cello. “I know your family background lets you hold your head up high, but young lady, acting politely in someone else’s home will make things go more smoothly. I’ll come get you as soon as I can.”

Dai Ning didn’t say whether she agreed or not. She just hopped in front of Zhao Yu and, since he wasn’t saying anything about what had just happened, she went straight to the point. “Did you just kiss me?” She pointed to her cheek. “Right here.”

That kiss had been so quick and light that Dai Ning, busy taking photos and playing on her phone, wasn’t even sure if she’d imagined it. And with Zhao Yu acting so nonchalant, was she just imagining things?

Zhao Yu glanced at her and calmly nodded. “Didn’t you say you wanted to take a picture?” and even called him her boyfriend.

Dai Ning touched her cheek and skeptically asked, “Were you just playing along?”

Zhao Yu simply replied, “Yes.” He didn’t say any more and went forward to knock on the door.

Dai Ning studied him with interest; he didn’t seem the least bit nervous. She couldn’t tell if it was because he wasn’t interested or if he just had nerves of steel.

The door opened to reveal Zhuang Hongxiu, a big fan of Zhao Yu. “Yu-ge! Miss Ji! You’re here!”

Mrs. Zhuang, watching TV in the living room, was delighted to see them. “Xiao Zhao, you’re here! Come on in and have a seat.”

Zhao Yu declined politely, stating his purpose.

Mrs. Zhuang smiled warmly, saying, “Of course, there’s no problem. Dai Ning is such a lovely child. I’ve always wanted a little princess of my own, but unfortunately, I just have this troublesome boy, Hongxiu. I’d be thrilled to have Dai Ning stay here and will take good care of her.”

Zhao Yu nodded. “Thank you, Mrs. Zhuang. I’ll make sure to thank you properly another time.”

“No need to be so formal. If it weren’t for you, Hongxiu might not even be back home.”

Mrs. Zhuang didn’t know that her niece, Lan Rongrong, resented Dai Ning, nor that her nephew, Lan Lingyun, was captivated by her. She was sincerely welcoming—after all, Dai Ning’s beauty alone was a sight to behold.

Mrs. Zhuang warmly offered to show Dai Ning around. “Look, we have many guest rooms. You can choose whichever one you’d like.”

Feeling reassured, Zhao Yu exchanged a few words with Magistrate Zhuang, then let Hongxiu walk him out. Zhao Yu quietly said, “Brother Zhuang, you know what the young lady is like. If she’s a bit difficult sometimes, I hope you’ll forgive her.”

Hongxiu instantly felt a sense of duty. “Don’t worry! I won’t let anyone give the young lady a hard time.”

“Thank you.”

As Zhao Yu was leaving, he looked back. Dai Ning was chatting happily with Mrs. Zhuang, clearly absorbed in the conversation. She hadn’t even thought to see him off.

Yet he didn’t feel disappointed. With Dai Ning here, it was like there was someone waiting for him to return safely to this unfamiliar city.

In truth, both of them knew that Dai Ning could have easily called Uncle Qian to pick her up and enjoy a safe, comfortable journey home.

But since she didn’t bring it up, Zhao Yu didn’t ask.

If she wanted to stay by his side for even one day, just for fun, he was happy to look after her.

—

Dai Ning chose the innermost guest room in the Zhuang residence and stayed quietly for two days until Uncle Qian’s call finally came.

“Young lady, when should I come pick you up?”

“No rush.”

Uncle Qian couldn’t resist asking, “What did you need Lan Lingyun’s information for? Young lady, he’s not a good match.”

“I know. Don’t worry. Just stay close by and be ready whenever I call.”

“Yes, please stay safe.”

Dai Ning ended the call and tapped her phone, Zhao Yu’s contact information popping up. He’d gotten a new phone a couple of days ago for his mission.

Dai Ning’s finger hovered over his name, playing with it repeatedly until Qingtuan was on the verge of a breakdown, feeling an intense urge to intervene.

After teasing Qingtuan enough, she closed the contact.

Qingtuan, watching from the sidelines: …

Dai Ning chuckled. “You’re really clueless.”

“…”

“Little dummy, go look up the original story. Are there any unlucky moments in Zhao Yu’s rise?”

Holding back its frustration, Qingtuan buried itself in the book. Its memory wasn’t the best, so it had to carefully search through it.

After a while, it said, “Ah, here’s one! Does this count? Tomorrow night, Zhao Yu and his team will go to a nightclub owned by the Shen family. A dancer will try to drug him, and the Shen family’s remnants will ambush him there. Luckily, Lan Rongrong and the police arrive just in time to help him out.”

Dai Ning rolled her eyes. Men, no matter how strategic, always seem to fall into trouble with women around.

A clever idea popped into her head. “Of course that counts. I’ll prepare a few things. Tomorrow night, we set out.”

Qingtuan was strangely excited. “Are we going to save Zhao Yu?”

Dai Ning ignored the silly question. How could she possibly be going to save Zhao Yu? Qingtuan really didn’t understand her. Zhao Yu’s heart was too solid; she didn’t like trying to win over someone like that—it was too difficult, a drawn-out struggle. If a bit of trickery could end things more quickly, why not?

Dai Ning had Uncle Qian prepare several things. The next evening, after dinner at the Zhuang house, she returned to her room to get ready.

Before leaving, Dai Ning thought about it. With her bad luck, going to a nightclub alone wouldn’t be safe. But if Uncle Qian and the others came along, Uncle Qian might try to help Zhao Yu out of goodwill, which would defeat the purpose.

After thinking it over, she came up with a better idea. She called Lan Lingyun. “Are you free? Come hang out with me.”

Lan Lingyun was thrilled to get her call. He leaped up from his bed, hurriedly pulling on his shorts. “Free, totally free! Ning Ning, where are you? I’ll be there right away!”

Dai Ning gave him an address, and as expected, within fifteen minutes, Lan Lingyun dashed over to pick her up.

Tonight, she was dressed rather conservatively, in a fitted khaki sweater and a long, sheer skirt.

When Dai Ning got into the car, Lan Lingyun couldn’t help but beam at her, feeling like a flower bloomed in his heart. “Where would you like to go, Ning Ning?”

“Nevernight City.”

Lan Lingyun froze. As someone well-versed in nightlife, he knew exactly what kind of place Nevernight City was.

His Ning Ning looked so sweet and innocent today; how could she go to such a place?

Trying to persuade her gently, he said, “Nevernight City isn’t all that fun. How about I take you skating, or maybe to the aquarium?”

Dai Ning scrunched her nose in irritation. “You’re not listening. Are you coming with me or not?”

Lan Lingyun had no choice. “Alright, alright, I’ll go with you.”

They arrived at Nevernight City, and as soon as Lan Lingyun parked in the underground garage, he noticed Dai Ning removing her sweater.

His eyes were glued to her, his heart racing.

She slipped off her sweater to reveal a fitted sapphire-blue crop-top dress underneath.

The dim light in the garage couldn’t hide the soft, fair skin of the girl in front of him. Dai Ning’s waist was slender and supple, her delicate navel exposed. Her figure was full, and just a glance made Lan Lingyun nearly have a nosebleed.

Dai Ning’s skirt was short in the front and long in the back, a beautiful blue that made her long legs seem straight out of a comic book.

With her hair loose, she grinned, “Let’s go.”

Lan Lingyun, still in a daze, stared at her figure, remembering how he’d first met her as an adorable little girl. How could she have so much… wow.

Even after they’d walked into Nevernight City, he was still spellbound and hadn’t even asked what they were there to do.

At this hour, Nevernight City had just opened and wasn’t at its busiest yet, so the dancers were lounging around.

The dancers were young and pretty, often competing for attention. Whenever a guest as wealthy as Lan Lingyun came by, they’d vie to sell drinks. But now, they were all stunned into silence, each one staring at the girl beside Lan Lingyun.

With her chin slightly lifted, Dai Ning crossed her arms lazily, giving off a captivating charm as she strolled around the dance hall.

The manager furrowed his brow. Women had come to Nevernight City before, but never anyone with such striking looks. Just her presence was enough to turn heads—not just from the guests, but even from the dancers. Was she here to make trouble?