Three hours later.
The four of them landed in Changcheng.
Changcheng was in Guang Province, even farther south than Ningcheng, and the temperature was much higher.
The moment they stepped off the plane, a wave of heat hit them.
It was Ruan Xingyao’s first time coming to such a hot place.
Back when she was in the Beast Taming Sect, the weather was pleasant all year round, but now it felt like her face was about to catch fire.
Fortunately, before boarding, You Huan had already arranged for a hotel car to pick them up, so they didn’t have to stay outdoors for long.
The hotel was booked by You Huan—two suites, just right: Ruan Xingyao with You Huan in one, and Ruan Xingzhuo with Chen Yu in the other.
By the time they settled in, it was already past four in the afternoon.
Ruan Xingyao touched her hungry stomach, then glanced at the blazing sun outside.
She really didn’t have the courage to step out.
Seeing her looking so drained by the sun, You Huan suggested, “How about we just eat at the hotel? The food here’s pretty good too.”
Hearing that, Ruan Xingyao’s eyes lit up.
She immediately said, “Then I’ll ask Xiao Zhuo and Chen Yu. If they agree, we’ll just stay in.”
Just as she was about to call Ruan Xingzhuo, the doorbell to their room rang.
You Huan ran to open it and let the two men in.
Ruan Xingzhuo handed his phone to Ruan Xingyao. “Sis, I checked—this place has the best beef meatballs. Should we go now?”
Ruan Xingyao fell into a dilemma.
On one hand, there were the delicious beef meatballs; on the other, the scorching sun outside.
In the end, the temptation of food won.
She looked at You Huan, her eyes full of longing for beef meatballs.
After all, she had just agreed to You Huan’s suggestion.
To go back on it immediately felt a little embarrassing.
But of course, You Huan wouldn’t fuss over something like that.
She said, “That place really is delicious. Let’s go—if we’re any later, we’ll have to line up.”
The four of them set off right away.
However, good food was no secret.
Even though they hurried, when they arrived, they were still faced with a long line.
Ruan Xingzhuo went to get a number slip—there were still more than thirty tables ahead, meaning at least an hour’s wait.
He glanced at Ruan Xingyao worriedly. “Sis, should we still wait?”
Ruan Xingyao took a deep breath, stiffened her neck, and said, “Yes! Since we’re already here!”
Those four words, Since we’re already here, were like a curse no one could resist.
Looking around, Ruan Xingzhuo wanted to suggest that he and Chen Yu wait in line while Ruan Xingyao and You Huan found a café or someplace with air conditioning.
Unfortunately, everyone else seemed to have the same idea—every nearby shop was packed.
So, he could only let Ruan Xingyao and You Huan sit somewhere shady while he pulled Chen Yu along to the nearby bubble tea shop.
Watching Ruan Xingzhuo’s back, You Huan leaned her head on Ruan Xingyao’s shoulder and said in a syrupy voice, “What do I do, Xingxing? I think I like Ruan Xingzhuo even more now.”
Ruan Xingyao wanted to tell her, if you like him, then go ahead and pursue him boldly.
But then she thought about how Ruan Xingzhuo truly didn’t have the slightest bit of interest in such things right now.
The words reached her lips, but in the end, she swallowed them back down.
When You Huan didn’t hear a response, she lifted her head, tilted it, and looked at her.
She asked, “Xingxing, do you think… I won’t be able to win him over?”
Meeting her gaze, Ruan Xingyao said, “I don’t think that.”
You Huan said, “I know now isn’t the right time, but I believe where there’s a will, there’s a way. Even if I fail in the future, I won’t regret it.”
After spending this time with Ruan Xingzhuo, she wasn’t stupid—she already knew his heart wasn’t in such things right now.
But she had enough patience to wait, to wait until he was ready for a relationship.
All she wanted was to fight for her own chance.
As for whether the outcome would be what she hoped for, she really didn’t care.
Ruan Xingyao couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity for her.
With such determination, if things didn’t turn out as she wished, would she really be able to let go?
While she was thinking, Ruan Xingzhuo and Chen Yu came back.
Ruan Xingzhuo was carrying a bag of milk tea, while Chen Yu held a bag of cakes.
“Weren’t you hungry? Eat something to tide you over first,” Chen Yu said.
Ruan Xingyao took it—it was a delicious chocolate cake.
She smiled and thanked Chen Yu.
Chen Yu said, “It’s what I should do as your assistant, no need to be polite, Expert Ruan.”
Ruan Xingyao still wasn’t used to having an assistant.
Her little face scrunched up, and after thinking it over, she said, “Don’t call me Expert Ruan anymore. Just use my name—or like everyone in my livestream, just call me Xingxing.”
Chen Yu smiled and agreed. “Then Xingxing, you should just call me by my name too.”
That counted as narrowing the distance between them, Chen Yu thought.
Ruan Xingyao gave a casual “mm” in response, but didn’t continue speaking to him.
Instead, she hugged her milk tea and took a long sip.
Sweet and chewy, filling her whole mouth, and since it was iced, even her sunburned skin felt cooled.
After another big gulp, she finally let out a satisfied, “Ah—refreshing!”
She had downed half the cup in one go and was just about to dig into her cake when a weak, sickly-sounding voice reached her ears.
“Woof woof woof woof! Woof woof woof woof!”
[It’s so hot! Dog is about to die of heat! Dog doesn’t want to perform anymore!]
[Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof woof!]
[Dog wants to go home! Can someone let Dog go home? Dog misses Mommy!]
“Woof woof! Woof woof woof!”
[Is Dog about to die? Dog really misses Mommy! Waaa—without Dog, Mommy will be so sad!]
Ruan Xingyao jumped up from her seat and scanned the area.
Seeing her do this, Ruan Xingzhuo and You Huan also stood up and looked around in unison.
Although Chen Yu didn’t understand, he stood as well and followed their movement.
Before he could figure out what they were searching for, Ruan Xingyao had already sprinted off in one direction.
Ruan Xingzhuo and You Huan hurried after her.
Chen Yu, still puzzled, moved quickly and caught up with the three of them in a few strides.
Ruan Xingyao rushed into a small square and found a crowd gathered—some people laughing, some applauding, others loudly calling for “one more time!”
She pushed through the people and saw a small platform with a skateboard on it.
Standing on the skateboard was a French bulldog.
The weak cries she’d heard were coming from that bulldog.
“Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof woof!”
[Dog really has no strength left, Dog’s going to die!]
The dog’s owner stood beside it, urging, “Shiyi, hurry up and start. The uncles and aunties all love your act—everyone’s waiting, come on!”
He crouched as if to be affectionate and patted the bulldog’s back, but in fact he dug his fingernail hard across the dog’s back.
“Woof woof! Woof woof woof!”
[Dog knows—if it doesn’t perform, it won’t get food. But Dog really has no strength left. Dog will never have to eat again!]
— The end of the Chapter–
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