Chapter 27: Going Along with It (Part 2)

Dai Ning spoke up, looking innocent. “I didn’t eat anything from Lan Lingyun, okay?”

Without a word, Zhao Yu headed to the small kitchen, where he had arranged in advance to use the facility.

Rolling up his sleeves, Zhao Yu began preparing her meal.

With the reward money now available, she could afford a few more dishes if she wanted.

He was exceptionally skillful, and, observing the kitchen setup just once, he already knew how to use everything.

Dai Ning stood at the door, watching him cook red beans.

Since he was cooking just for her, Zhao Yu moved quickly. While waiting for the red beans to cook, he began preparing the lemons.

Once the red beans were cooked, he put them into a blender.

On the stovetop, he had another pan already heating up. He added oil, poured in the blended bean paste, and began stirring. Stirring required some skill, ideally using a wooden spatula.

“Pass me the brown sugar.”

Dai Ning let out an “Oh” as she found the container labeled with brown sugar and handed it to him. Zhao Yu added it to the mixture, reducing the heat to a simmer.

Dai Ning tugged at his shirt. “Add a little more sugar.”

Zhao Yu replied, “That’s enough.”

“No, no, just three more spoons.”

Zhao Yu didn’t plan on indulging her too much; it wouldn’t do to let her treat sugar as a main course.

Dai Ning didn’t argue further. Instead, she waited until his back was turned to add more sugar herself.

Zhao Yu sighed inwardly, pretending not to notice. Returning to add lemon juice, he began mixing again. Preparing intricate dishes required a complex process, unlike the casual bowl of rice he usually had.

He had even taken the time last night to look up recipes on the hotel computer for this meal.

Zhao Yu brought the dishes to her room. “Eat up.” He wouldn’t be joining her and left to eat with the others.

Dai Ning grabbed his hand, holding up a piece of the red bean paste for him to try.

Zhao Yu shook his head, his gaze softening. “You eat it.”

He went downstairs.

Qingtuan remarked, “He’s becoming more agreeable.” Even seeing her playing with Lan Lingyun earlier didn’t seem to make Zhao Yu angry.

Dai Ning, eating a spicy chicken dish and gasping for air, nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes, his cooking is getting better. Who knew Zhao Yu had such a knack for it!”

Qingtuan didn’t bother replying.

After she finished her meal, Zhao Yu returned to collect the dishes and spoke in a serious tone. “I have something to tell you.”

Dai Ning, noticing his solemn expression, asked, “What is it?”

Zhao Yu hesitated for a moment before continuing. “You heard earlier—I have to help track down people left behind by Shen Tuo She in Huan County. This is dangerous, so you, Du Tian, and Liu Shuan will follow Chief Kang back to Xinghua Village tonight.”

Dai Ning instinctively shook her head. “I don’t want to go back with them. I can’t stand Du Tian. Besides, no one will be there to cook for me on the way back, and I’ll starve.”

Zhao Yu replied, “I’ll make extra food for you to take. I’ve told Liu Shuan to take good care of you. Staying with me is dangerous. I won’t be able to protect you if something happens.”

Dai Ning looked at him with concern. “Will you be in danger? How dangerous?”

It was rare for her to show concern, and Zhao Yu couldn’t help but be moved. “Yes, life-threatening. So…”

“Alright, alright, then I’ll go!”

The unspoken words on Zhao Yu’s lips remained unspoken. He stood up. “At eight-thirty tonight, Chief Kang will take you out of the city.”

As Zhao Yu turned to leave, Dai Ning called out, “Wait!”

“What is it?”

Dai Ning said, “Remember to make plenty of desserts for me.”

Zhao Yu couldn’t be bothered to answer her.

—

That evening, Chief Kang arrived to pick them up. The one most reluctant to leave was Du Tian. She understood clearly that with Zhao Yu’s current standing, leaving now would put her at a disadvantage.

But she had no say in the matter. Zhao Yu’s authority was respected by everyone; she couldn’t simply decide to stay.

With no other option, Du Tian decided to try persuading the stubborn Dai Ning.

“Don’t you want to have more fun in Huan County? We haven’t even had a chance to explore properly. Are you really leaving?”

Dai Ning, munching on the “steamed pudding” Zhao Yu had made for her, mumbled, “Zhao Yu said it’s life-threatening. I’m going back. I’m scared, okay?”

Du Tian frowned in disdain. No wonder she was only a minor supporting character!

She went over to Zhao Yu. “Brother Zhao Yu, can I stay and help you? I’m not afraid of danger, and an extra pair of hands could be helpful.”

Du Tian knew that few bonds were as strong as those forged in life-and-death situations.

She lacked Lan Rongrong’s wealth and status, but taking a risk might give her a chance to win his heart.

Zhao Yu looked at her with a complicated expression. “No need. You’re going back with everyone.”

He was always on guard, even if Du Tian did have feelings for him. That alone wasn’t reason enough for her to risk her life for him.

What could she possibly gain from him?

Unwilling to accept this, Du Tian pressed on. “But Brother Zhao Yu, you’re alone. I’d be worried.”

The more she insisted on staying, the less likely Zhao Yu was to allow it.

Zhao Yu made the final call. “That’s settled.”

Chief Kang’s officers urged everyone to get into the vehicle. To keep a low profile, they had chosen a cargo van that looked ordinary from the outside.

When they’d come to Huan County, they had a grand group of thirty. Now, only ten were going back.

Zhao Yu watched as they boarded the vehicle and instructed Liu Shuan, “Take good care of her. She’s stubborn, so try to keep her happy. Don’t be harsh with her, or things will only get worse.”

Liu Shuan nodded. “Got it, Brother Yu. Take care.”

“If something happens to me, give the reward money to my parents so they can afford medical treatment.”

Liu Shuan’s eyes reddened. Knowing he couldn’t change Zhao Yu’s decision, he nodded tightly.

Zhao Yu still wanted to give Dai Ning some instructions, but the young lady had already climbed into the vehicle, completely out of sight.

He walked over and knocked on the window. “Ji Dai Ning.”

The window rolled down, revealing her delicate, fair face. “What is it?”

Zhao Yu looked at her.

He wasn’t sure if staying was the right choice. Risking his life to gamble on his future, leaving his fate to the whims of chance—he might never see her again.

Though she was willful, headstrong, selfish, and mischievous.

But on this night, with the road ahead bleak and uncertain, her clear, innocent eyes reflected his face. Zhao Yu felt an unexpected pang of reluctance. He said softly, “Be good. Listen to Liu Shuan on the road. When you see Mr. Qian, go home, alright? Don’t wander off again. What if you run into trouble?”

She listened quietly and replied softly, “Okay.”

Zhao Yu’s lips moved. “Goodbye.”

She tilted her head, reaching up to touch his eyes, as if trying to discern what emotions lay within them. Zhao Yu grasped her hand, looking away. “Enough. Don’t mess around.”

The vehicle started. There was no moon over Huan County tonight.

Watching the distant lights, Zhao Yu thought of the un-gifted candlestick in his room and felt a slight pang of regret.

“Zhao Yu!”

He looked up just as the back door of the vehicle flew open. As it began moving, a young girl jumped down from it.

For a moment, Zhao Yu’s mind went blank. His muscles tensed, reacting faster than thought, as he rushed forward to catch her.

With her in his arms, his heart still pounded wildly.

A little more and he would have missed her.

Though usually calm and composed, he felt his knees nearly buckle in that instant.

The girl in his arms seemed utterly unconcerned with the risk. She wrapped her arms around his neck and, with a soft, nasal voice, murmured, “I couldn’t bear to leave you.”