Chapter 28: Laughter Like a Rooster’s Crow

The whole incident happened so suddenly that everyone on the van—Liu Shuan, Du Tian, and the others—looked completely dumbfounded. Liu Shuan, coming to his senses, exclaimed in alarm, “Stop! Stop! The young lady just jumped out of the van!”

The police officer in the front nearly had a heart attack.

Liu Shuan glanced back and saw Brother Yu had caught the young lady, finally allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.

Du Tian felt stifled. This Ji Dai Ning was either completely silent, acting like a fool, or causing a massive scene.

Suppressing her thoughts, she put on a concerned tone and said, “The van was moving, and Miss Ji just jumped out like that. Nothing happened this time, but what if it had? If she keeps doing this, how will we ever make it back safely to Xinghua Village?”

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, growing slightly disgruntled with Dai Ning.

Du Tian’s words struck a chord. Even the upright police officer nodded and was about to head over to give Dai Ning a talking-to.

Liu Shuan quickly stopped him. “No, no, Brother Yu said not to scold the young lady. Let me talk to her instead.”

Liu Shuan got off the van and ran back.

Dai Ning was nestled in Zhao Yu’s arms. Zhao Yu was still shaken and wanted to lecture her, but her unexpected “I couldn’t bear to leave you” left him speechless.

When Liu Shuan arrived, being an honest person, he awkwardly said, “Miss Ji, why did you suddenly jump out? If you left something behind, you could’ve told us—it was really dangerous, you know. Even the officer got mad.”

Dai Ning ignored him, hiding her face in Zhao Yu’s neck.

Zhao Yu patted her back. “Did you hear that? Don’t do this again. Go back with Liu Shuan, alright?”

The girl’s muffled voice replied, “They all dislike me. They’ll definitely bully me. I don’t want to go back with them.”

Liu Shuan quickly waved his hands. “No, I—I mean, we don’t dislike you, Miss Ji, and we definitely won’t bully you.”

She was such a beauty; if she’d just behave a little, how could the villagers not like her?

Dai Ning remained silent, tightening her soft arms around Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu felt a storm of emotions inside him. In the end, he sighed, “Liu Shuan, you head back with the others. I’ll take care of Miss Ji and make sure to talk to her. Apologize on our behalf and tell them she understands that what she did was wrong.”

Given Dai Ning’s temperament, sending her back with the group was worrying. You didn’t know if you should be more concerned for the villagers or for her.

Scratching his head, Liu Shuan replied, “Brother Yu, Miss Ji, you two take care.” He then turned and ran back.

From the doorway, Du Tian watched, getting anxious when she saw Liu Shuan returning alone. “Where’s Ji Dai Ning? She’s not coming back with us?”

Liu Shuan replied, “Brother Yu said it’s fine. Miss Ji will be with him.”

Turning to the others, he added, “Brother Yu apologizes on her behalf. She realizes her mistake and hopes everyone won’t hold it against her.”

Seeing how Zhao Yu had handled everything on this trip, everyone had newfound respect for him. He was fair and generous, even sharing the earnings with everyone—how could anyone hold a grudge?

They quickly waved it off, saying, “As long as Miss Ji is fine, we’re just a bunch of rough men; we won’t fuss over this.”

A bit embarrassed by their earlier annoyance, they realized Miss Ji was just a spoiled young girl who hadn’t harmed anyone.

Du Tian, on the other hand, was fuming. She wanted to get off the van! There was no way she’d let Ji Dai Ning stay alone with Zhao Yu.

Li Zhuang quickly held her back. “Du Tian, what are you doing? The van is leaving. We all know you’re kind, but Zhao Yu said this is a dangerous situation. It’s better if you stay with us.”

Du Tian snapped, “Let go of me!”

But Li Zhuang only held her tighter. Secretly infatuated with Du Tian, he couldn’t allow her to put herself in danger.

Du Tian’s head throbbed, and she nearly burst out in anger. But she’d always kept up a gentle and demure image. She felt utterly trapped, unable to break free of Li Zhuang’s grip.

The police officer added, “Don’t worry, Chief Kang will ensure Zhao Yu’s safety.” He motioned for Liu Shuan to close the door, and the van drove off.

Du Tian: “…”

For the first time in her life, the ever-composed Du Tian was so furious she felt like crying.

If only she’d jumped out of the van, too.

What did appearances matter now if she’d just missed the chance to latch onto such a golden opportunity?

——

Qingtuan, Dai Ning’s companion, hadn’t expected Dai Ning to pull off such a stunt either.

“Aren’t we heading back to Xinghua Village? Staying with Zhao Yu is risky.”

Dai Ning replied, “I was just bluffing for Zhao Yu and Du Tian. Did you actually believe me?”

Imagining how upset Du Tian must be right now, Dai Ning was in high spirits and patiently explained, “Humans are complex. If I had insisted on staying, it would’ve seemed unreasonable. But by leaving cheerfully, Zhao Yu only feels reluctant to let me go. Staying at the moment he misses me most ensures he won’t say anything. Zhao Yu has a strong sense of responsibility; now that he’s agreed to let me stay, he’ll do his best to keep me safe. And as for Du Tian, she’s lost all chances with Zhao Yu.”

It was the first time Dai Ning seriously explained her approach to Qingtuan, who felt strangely touched despite being taken aback.

Still, Qingtuan wouldn’t admit it: “But staying is risky. What if danger arises and Zhao Yu ends up abandoning you? He’s Heaven’s chosen one, blessed with luck, while you’re just an unfortunate bystander.”

Dai Ning didn’t respond. Although she had a petty personality, she had to admit that after all this time, Zhao Yu, the stubborn hero, did have a genuinely kind heart.

Dai Ning wouldn’t climb off Zhao Yu, and seeing how relaxed she was, he tried pulling her off a couple of times but finally gave up.

He carried her back to the inn.

Setting her down on a chair, he remembered his promise to scold her. He put on a stern face. “Jumping out of a moving vehicle is dangerous. You—”

“But you didn’t want me to leave.”

Zhao Yu denied it, saying, “I didn’t.”

Dai Ning’s eyes sparkled. “The way you looked at me said otherwise.”

Zhao Yu knew there was no arguing with her, giving up on the idea of scolding her. “The people from the Lan family will be disguising themselves as villagers, accompanying me to a few places that aren’t safe for you. I’ll take you to County Chief Zhuang’s house later; you’ll be much safer there.”

Dai Ning asked, “Will he be willing to look after me?”

Zhao Yu replied, “He will.” After all, Zhao Yu had saved Zhuang Hongxiu’s life before. Even if it meant calling in a favor, Chief Zhuang would take care of the mischievous girl.

Using such a precious favor was something the Zhao Yu in the novel would have been reluctant to do. It could’ve helped him in times of trouble later on. But now, all he could think about was finding a safe place for Dai Ning.

Dai Ning nodded and asked eagerly, “Then when will you come to get me?”

Her eyes were bright and moist, making it hard for Zhao Yu to remain firm. He sighed. “As soon as possible.”

Dai Ning flopped onto Zhao Yu’s bed, saying, “I’ll go to Chief Zhuang’s house tomorrow.”

This time, Zhao Yu didn’t object.

Since it was late, they couldn’t disturb Chief Zhuang and his family tonight. But she couldn’t stay on his bed. Zhao Yu pulled her up. “Go back to your room; it hasn’t been checked out yet.”

Dai Ning’s arm felt soft, like tender lotus root, and Zhao Yu didn’t dare pull too hard.

She wasn’t really interested in sleeping with Zhao Yu, knowing that if he lost control, it’d be a big issue. When Zhao Yu managed to pull her up from the bed, she suddenly remembered, “My clothes are still on the bus.”

They’d packed up her things, only for her to stay behind and leave her luggage.

Zhao Yu didn’t think it was a big deal. “Just make do with what you’re wearing tomorrow.”

Dai Ning shook her head repeatedly. “No, you can’t. Haven’t you taken a biology class? The outer layer can be managed, but a girl’s inner one needs to be replaced.”

It took Zhao Yu a moment to understand what she meant by “inner one.” He couldn’t help but marvel at how the girl in front of him remained composed and serious.

“You can wash them yourself, hang them up outside, and they’ll dry overnight in the wind.”

Dai Ning’s expression became odd. “Do you really think I would wash clothes?”

Zhao Yu realized that while some people led very different lives, Dai Ning might have never washed anything herself in her entire life. He managed to hold back his awkwardness and asked, “How did you get by over the past few days?”

“Madam Zhuang prepared plenty for me! I could just wear something once and toss it,” Dai Ning said.

Zhao Yu fell silent. Madam Zhuang had always lived a life of luxury, much like Dai Ning. They both had the habit of discarding each item after a single use.

Not wanting to continue this conversation, he said, “Well, if you can’t wash it, just bear with it for a day. One day won’t make a difference.”

Dai Ning shook her head; she was very particular and couldn’t stand not being completely clean.

Zhao Yu regretted it deeply; had he known it would be this troublesome, he would have made sure Dai Ning stayed in the van with the others.

He frowned, looking at the troublesome person in front of him.

—

After her bath, Dai Ning suppressed her laughter, put on a bathrobe, and knocked on Zhao Yu’s door, holding her laundry basket.

Zhao Yu took it from her.

“Make sure to wash everything properly!” Dai Ning reminded him.

Not wanting to see her face any longer, Zhao Yu said, “Go to sleep right now.”

She ran off, laughing.

Zhao Yu looked down at the laundry basket Dai Ning had handed over. On top was a lace dress with floral patterns, but as he moved it aside, he saw two small pieces of fabric that were clearly part of her undergarments.

Covering them back up with the dress, he decided he would wash them together, since everything looked clean and pink.

This wasn’t his first time washing women’s clothes.

As the eldest son from a poor family, he had washed clothes for his mother and little sister ever since his mother became gravely ill. At the time, he had been thirteen, his younger brother seven, and little Zhao An’an just learning to talk. Back then, all of the family’s clothes were washed by him down at the river.

It wasn’t only him; later, Zhao Ping had also done laundry for their mother and sister as he grew older.

But Zhao Yu knew that Dai Ning was different.

He was well aware of how, and why, she was different. Lowering his gaze, he finally acknowledged this question.

After a long moment, he made a decision. He carefully separated the girl’s dainty and colorful undergarments, washed them on their own, and hung them where the breeze could dry them.

Watching her small, delicate clothes flutter in the wind from the window, Dai Ning couldn’t help but giggle to herself. “He’s finally come around.”

With a mischievous glint, she asked, “Hey, dumdum, do you know what people remember the most in this world?”

The small green orb, her companion, sulked and replied, “I don’t know.”

“Nothing compares to loving, cherishing, and deeply adoring, only to lose it all in the most devastating way in the end.”

Qingtuan didn’t understand what she meant, nor did it dare ask. It sounded frightening enough. But did all this have anything to do with dealing with Du Tian?

The next morning, Dai Ning’s clothes had indeed dried in the breeze.

Zhao Yu’s embarrassment from the previous night had completely faded, and he returned her clothes with perfect composure.

“Get dressed; we’re going to Chief Zhuang’s house.”

Dai Ning closed the door and didn’t wear the undergarments Zhao Yu had washed. Instead, she took a new pair from her bag.

Qingtuan: …

The socks Zhao Yu had washed were also still the same mismatched ones from yesterday. Now in mid-September, the mornings in Huan County were chilly, and she shivered as soon as she stepped outside.

“Zhao Yu, my legs are freezing,” she said.

He looked down at her bare legs and the colorful socks. Yesterday, Lan Lingyun had removed his jacket to wrap around Dai Ning’s legs for this very reason.

Zhao Yu’s own clothing was thin, and he didn’t have a jacket to lend her. He frowned, and after a pause, crouched down to pull her socks all the way up, turning them into knee socks.

“That’s good enough.”

Dai Ning stared at her transformed socks in shock, while Qingtuan could no longer hold back and burst out laughing.

A girl whose outfit was initially rated SSS-level in style had suddenly become a picture of mismatched “rustic chic.” Fortunately, her beauty carried it off; otherwise, this garish sock look would look downright hilarious on anyone.

Dai Ning was flabbergasted. Was Zhao Yu’s sense of style really okay? She lifted her leg and showed him. “Do you think this looks good? Does this seem normal?”

Zhao Yu nodded. “It’s fine.”

To him, it really wasn’t a big deal.

Qingtuan was still laughing uncontrollably. Dai Ning began to seriously question whether Zhao Yu genuinely thought she was pretty.

Could it be that to him, she and Du Tian looked more or less the same?

She could put up with many things, but she couldn’t tolerate her unmatched beauty being mistaken for plainness.

Frustrated, she turned away from him and pulled her socks back down.

Zhao Yu noticed her change in mood. She had been fine just a moment ago, and now she was sulking. He frowned. “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t even want to talk to him.

A man with no aesthetic sense was the worst! No wonder he still hadn’t fallen for her. A normal person would have reacted like Lan Lingyun, wouldn’t they?

The mind of a young girl could be perplexing. Zhao Yu hadn’t yet figured out why she was upset when the bus arrived. Dai Ning climbed in ahead, her face set as if she were completely done with him.

Zhao Yu didn’t say anything; he sat beside her. Though he still couldn’t quite understand the reason behind her sudden mood change, he could at least act.

He lifted her legs onto his lap and warmed her calves with his hands. As a young man, his hands were naturally warm.

The driver glanced at them in the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but joke, “Young lady, your boyfriend sure treats you well.”

Dai Ning blinked and looked up at Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu wasn’t one for teasing and rarely did anything that might lead to misunderstandings in public. As she looked up at him, he turned his head away, looking out at the September landscape of Huan County.

The town was old yet prosperous. No wonder Shen Tuo She had stayed here enjoying himself until things went south.

Dai Ning wriggled her leg slightly. She didn’t quite understand why, but suddenly, she didn’t feel so upset.

When she wasn’t sulking, she was sweeter than cotton candy, leaning on Zhao Yu’s shoulder and taking out her phone to snap photos.

“Come on, boyfriend, let’s take a picture together. Look at the camera.”

Zhao Yu glanced down at her, but he didn’t actually pose. Dai Ning didn’t mind at all; she was content just smiling happily for the camera.

Like a little fairy, she was having a great time by herself.

Zhao Yu couldn’t help but smile, leaning in just slightly, letting his lips gently brush her soft, rosy cheek.

Dai Ning touched her cheek, staring at him in surprise.