Chapter 45

Since Chen Jing had decided to take care of Dai Ning, he wouldn’t let her return to the tea cafe.

After reviewing his savings, he asked Sister Hong to buy several sets of clothing for a young girl. Sister Hong understood and even brought a variety of personal items for Dai Ning.

Chen Jing had 600,000 yuan in his account, money he had carefully saved for his mother. If a suitable bone marrow donor appeared, this sum could cover the surgery.

Given Dai Ning’s delicate skin, Chen Jing spared no expense. The dresses Sister Hong purchased were all made of fine material.

When Dai Ning changed into a new mint-green dress, she tugged at the hem disdainfully. “Chen Jing, you’re not fit to keep me,” she said. The fabric barely met her standards, but the design was ugly and not exclusive.

Qingtuan muttered helplessly, “He hasn’t even bought himself a new shirt in two years.” Spending money on Dai Ning this time had been a significant splurge, leaving his wallet noticeably thinner.

“This won’t do,” Dai Ning said with a shake of her head. She wasn’t willing to live frugally with Chen Jing while watching him help Chen Lianxing and her mother.

When it was time for breakfast, Dai Ning only took two egg tarts that Sister Hong had casually brought along. Even with egg tarts, she was particular—she wouldn’t touch poorly baked crusts and only ate the filling.

She refused to drink the soymilk purchased from the street, instead lying on the table, watching Chen Jing eat.

Chen Jing frowned. In the past, her picky eating wouldn’t have even caught his attention. But now that she was under his care, her eating habits couldn’t continue this way—she’d starve in no time.

Handing his phone to Dai Ning, he said, “Tell her what you want to eat.”

Though his voice was hoarse and grating, the content sounded pleasing to Dai Ning. She happily took the phone and started placing an order with Sister Hong.

Before long, Sister Hong personally delivered eight or nine kinds of breakfast items, including a special bottle of milk.

When Chen Jing saw the bill, he was taken aback. A single breakfast had cost over 300 yuan, with the ornate bottle of milk alone priced at over 60 yuan.

Sister Hong pulled Chen Jing aside, whispering, “Ah Jing, I don’t mean to pry, but your little girlfriend spends money like water!”

She had thought Chen Lianxing was already high-maintenance, but this delicate girl was even more extravagant. Yet her refined demeanor seemed to justify such indulgence. She looked like someone destined for a pampered life—her beauty alone would have wealthy men clamoring to spoil her.

Chen Jing replied seriously, “She’s my sister. It’s fine.”

Sister Hong gave him a strange look but didn’t press further.

“Alright, if you say so. If you’re fine with pampering her, who am I to object?”

After spending two days together, Chen Jing came to understand Dai Ning’s eating habits. She had a small appetite but was extremely picky. Her food had to be of the highest quality—anything subpar, even slightly, wouldn’t do.

Chen Jing was a simple man. If he decided to care for someone, he would do his best.

Though Dai Ning was picky, Chen Jing accommodated her, eating whatever she left behind himself. He had to admit, her expensive taste meant the food was excellent.

There was only one problem—her lifestyle was incredibly costly. Chen Jing needed to return to work.

Recovering quickly from his injuries, Chen Jing decided to resume his job at the internet cafe before June arrived.

Since he couldn’t return to Peace Under Heaven, the internet cafe was happy to welcome him back. When Chen Jing prepared to leave, Dai Ning tied her hair and followed him. “Brother, take me with you!”

Chen Jing refused. “I’m going to work. Stay home.”

Dai Ning tugged at his sleeve. “No, no! I’ll be scared alone at home. What if a thief breaks in?”

This hadn’t occurred to Chen Jing before. The alley was chaotic, but few dared provoke him. His home didn’t have valuables, but now, with a “sister” as delicate as Dai Ning, leaving her alone did seem unsafe.

He decided to install a surveillance camera in the yard the next day. But what about today? Seeing Dai Ning cling to his arm and sweetly plead, “Brother, take me! I can help!” he finally relented.

When they left, Chen Jing brought her along.

The internet cafe had lax policies. Chen Jing led Dai Ning in through the back door and seated her in his private break room. “Sit tight and don’t wander.”

Once she was settled, he went out to maintain order.

Looking around the room, Dai Ning found it surprisingly simple—a computer showing surveillance footage, a boss chair, and a sofa for resting.

She had never imagined a “net admin” could have a private office. Qingtuan, equally inexperienced, curiously observed everything with her.

The first floor was the internet cafe, the second a restaurant, and the third even had a hotel. Clearly, this wasn’t an entirely legitimate establishment.

Watching Chen Jing disappear into the surveillance system’s blind spot, Dai Ning speculated, “He’s probably gone off to fight.”

Qingtuan whispered, “I think so too.”

This place, with its luxury private rooms and mature clientele, seemed like a venue for resolving disputes. Dai Ning decided to investigate.

Ignoring Qingtuan’s protests, she opened the door and stepped out.

“What are you doing?” Qingtuan asked in confusion.

“Showing him that being a ‘net admin’ has no future.”

Chen Jing, meanwhile, was busy sorting out accumulated issues. During his recovery, the cafe had descended into chaos. When a group refused to compensate for damage to the restaurant, Chen Jing made them pay—crying.

Returning with their compensation, Chen Jing washed the blood from his hands in the restroom and grabbed a bag of popcorn from the cafe restaurant for Dai Ning.

As he passed the lobby, he noticed a dense crowd.

Pausing, he casually asked, “What’s going on? Someone causing trouble?”

A staff member shook their head, looking bemused. “They’re… getting membership cards.”

Membership cards were expensive at this cafe. While not unheard of, this level of demand was unprecedented.

“Brother Jing, it’s just memberships, nothing serious, right?”

Hearing the words “membership card,” Chen Jing had a bad feeling. Pushing open his break room door, he found it empty. His expression darkened as he moved toward the crowd.

There she was.

Perched on the old net admin’s swivel chair, Dai Ning operated the computer, wearing a pinkish-purple dress. Her curled hair was tied up, giving her a lively, youthful air.

She twirled in the chair, processing memberships while holding a lollipop in her mouth. Her legs dangled, pale and glowing under the dim light.

“Name?” she asked sweetly.

The man in front of her stared at her face and legs with excitement. “Yang Wēi.”

“Alright, Yang. Wěi,” she said, deliberately mispronouncing his name. “How many months?”

“Whatever you think, little sister,” he replied, licking his lips.

Dai Ning blinked innocently. “Anything?”

“Of course.”

Without hesitation, she processed a fifty-year membership for him.

As the crowd surged closer, someone nearly touched her skirt. Dai Ning, annoyed, hurled her lollipop stick at them. “Stay in line, or I’ll get mad!”

A few of the men were genuinely there to apply for membership cards, but most just wanted a glimpse of the stunning beauty.

When she expressed annoyance, the crowd laughed it off. If it weren’t for the infamous reputation of the man who ran the place, they might have swarmed inappropriately already.

Damn, spending just one night with this girl would make life worth it!

Plenty of people shared the sentiment, and the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control.

But in the next moment, the room fell eerily silent.

Someone shouted, “Chen Jing.”

The man strode in with his long legs, his cold gaze sweeping over the room. Without a word, he scooped up the girl from the chair and tucked her under his arm, carrying her away.

Uncomfortable, Dai Ning squirmed against his grip.

The crowd exchanged uneasy glances. Everyone here knew who Chen Jing was—the ruthless “madman” who’d been feared since his teenage years. No one dared to stand in his way.

The original front desk attendant rushed over to salvage the situation. “Does anyone still want to apply for a membership? I can help over here.”

But with the beauty gone, enthusiasm for memberships vanished. The group dispersed reluctantly, though Yang Wei, who had just paid for a 50-year membership, looked ready to cough up blood in regret.

—

In the break room, Chen Jing set Dai Ning down. His voice carried an icy chill as he asked, “Why were you there?”

His tone was unsettling, like a serpent slithering over one’s skin. It had terrified many before, even reducing children to tears.

But Dai Ning wasn’t afraid. She explained earnestly, “Someone called for the manager. I didn’t see you around, so I went to help. I didn’t want you to lose your salary.” She tilted her head innocently. “Then so many people came, and they asked me to help them apply for cards.”

Her eyes sparkled as she added, “I sold a lot of memberships for you. Do you get commissions?”

Chen Jing: “…”

Dai Ning, baffled by his silence, tugged on his shirt collar, rocking it back and forth. “Why aren’t you praising me? Praise me already!”

Chen Jing rubbed his temples and collapsed onto the couch, utterly exasperated.

His casual, worn-out posture made him look surprisingly handsome. Dai Ning found his air of nonchalance very appealing. Resting her chin on his chest, she mirrored his mood with an expression of innocent melancholy.

“Did I do something wrong again, big brother?”

Something seemed to shift in Chen Jing’s chest at her words. He grabbed her chin and moved her off him, muttering something under his breath.

“Good job, Dai Dai.”

You’ve just secured my unemployment.

This time, he didn’t wait for the boss’s interrogation. Chen Jing quit on his own.

Dai Ning was simply too conspicuous to be left in such a chaotic environment.

For the first time, Chen Jing recognized that his current lifestyle wasn’t sustainable for taking care of a “younger sister.”

It wasn’t just her delicate nature or expensive tastes; her striking presence was a magnet for trouble.

His living conditions were subpar. His workplace was a gray zone, rife with danger. He resided in a dark alley frequented by gangsters. For himself, he could handle these risks, but Dai Ning was different.

Her existence alone was enough to tempt people into thinking that even a moment with her would be worth the cost of their lives.

She looked younger than Chen Lianxing, probably still at school age. Lianxing had an education; there was no reason Dai Ning should waste away by his side.

For the first time, Chen Jing began to think seriously: living in the shadows wasn’t suitable for them anymore.

He needed to provide a better environment for his “little sister.”