The location was excellent—it was right where Ning City’s new municipal government was being established.
In the coming years, this area was set to become the city’s most important development zone.
Chen Yu said, “The apartment isn’t very large, but you can rest assured it’s completely safe.”
Ruan Xingyao replied, “Got it. But this place will belong to me in the future, right?”
She wouldn’t feel at ease until that was confirmed.
Just then, someone came out from inside—it was Jiang Zhen.
He held a stack of documents and said to her, “Comrade Ruan, don’t worry. We’ll keep our word on what was promised to you.”
Ruan Xingyao’s smile became a bit more genuine.
She flipped through the documents, and after confirming everything was in order, signed her name.
Jiang Zhen said, “Chen Yu will bring you the property certificate later.”
Ruan Xingyao responded, “Thank you, sir.”
Jiang Zhen gave her a deep look but didn’t say anything more.
Ruan Xingyao met his gaze, waiting for him to assign her a new task.
However, Jiang Zhen suddenly asked, “Comrade Ruan, are you satisfied with Xiao Chen as your assistant? Do you want me to assign you someone else?”
Hearing that, Ruan Xingyao subconsciously glanced at Chen Yu.
For some reason, she could sense his nervousness.
A few seconds later, she said, “No need, sir. Chen Yu’s great—we work well together.”
Jiang Zhen nodded. “Alright, if anything comes up, contact Xiao Chen. You can also reach me directly.”
Ruan Xingyao smiled. “Thank you, sir. I’ll do my best!”
Soon after, Jiang Zhen left.
Chen Yu helped carry the luggage upstairs and tidy up the place.
By the time everything was in order, night had already fallen.
The four of them collapsed onto the couch.
Lazily resting her head on Ruan Xingyao’s lap, You Huan asked, “Xingxing, what do you want for dinner? I can have something delivered.”
Before Ruan Xingyao could answer, Chen Yu spoke up. “Let’s eat out tonight. There’s a really good restaurant nearby.”
All three of them turned to look at him in unison.
Ruan Xingzhuo said, “We didn’t say we wanted to go with you.”
He was finding Chen Yu more annoying by the minute.
Chen Yu rubbed his hands awkwardly on his knees and began to stand up to leave.
At that moment, Ruan Xingyao said, “Alright, Xiao Zhuo, be nicer to Chen Yu. Don’t make things hard for a fellow worker.”
Chen Yu looked at her in surprise, clearly not expecting her to defend him.
A spark of joy immediately flared up inside him.
Ruan Xingyao met his gaze—his eyes had noticeably brightened.
She said, “So, where’s that place you mentioned? What kind of food do they serve? If it’s not good, I’ll be mad.”
Chen Yu replied, “It’s just two traffic lights away—they serve Ning City’s local cuisine.”
Ruan Xingyao turned to You Huan and Ruan Xingzhuo. “What about you two? Want to come?”
You Huan thought for a moment before saying, “I know that restaurant. The food there is really good, but if I remember correctly, it’s not open to the public.”
A trace of awkwardness crossed Chen Yu’s face. “Actually… it’s a special arrangement from the higher-ups.”
Both Ruan Xingzhuo and You Huan curled their lips in disdain.
You Huan said, “Chen Yu, is it that you can’t do anything unless you’re following orders? Do you think you’re some kind of dog?”
Chen Yu felt a tightness in his chest but couldn’t find a single word to refute her.
After all, from the moment he’d been assigned to approach Ruan Xingyao until now, everything he’d done could indeed be described as the work of an obedient dog.
Seeing that he looked so miserable and at a loss for words, You Huan originally wanted to scold him more but eventually held back.
The living room fell silent, the atmosphere growing strangely tense.
After a long moment, Ruan Xingzhuo asked coldly, “Chen Yu, you’ve always followed orders to the letter. Does that mean you’ll keep doing the same from now on? Should I take that to mean you’ll just keep hurting my sister again and again?”
The question left Chen Yu completely embarrassed—he couldn’t give an answer that would satisfy Ruan Xingzhuo no matter how hard he tried.
That only made Ruan Xingzhuo even more furious.
Then, Ruan Xingyao spoke up. “Alright, I already said the past is behind us. From now on, Chen Yu and I are just friendly colleagues.”
Which meant—no matter what kind of missions Chen Yu brought her, she would face them calmly.
Just like now—since the restaurant had been arranged by the higher-ups, she naturally wouldn’t refuse.
But the more easygoing her tone was, the more it hurt Chen Yu inside.
Ruan Xingyao stood up and said to Ruan Xingzhuo and You Huan, “Come on, let’s go try out the restaurant Assistant Chen recommended!”
She took both of them by the hands, one on each side, and cheerfully headed for the door.
Chen Yu ran a frustrated hand through his hair before finally standing up to follow.
As the four of them were changing shoes by the door, the little dog, Baiyi, suddenly burst out of the room where it had been napping, barking excitedly at them.
“Erwer! Erwer!”
【Xingxing! Where are you all going? Aren’t you taking dog too?】
“Erwer! Erwer!”
【Dog wants to go! Dog wants to go! Dog wants to go!】
It spun around in circles like a tiny whirling top.
Ruan Xingyao couldn’t stop laughing.
She bent down, scooped Baiyi into her arms, and stroked its fluffy head. “No, you can’t come with us this time.”
Baiyi barked again, “Erwer! Erwer!”
【Bad Xingxing! You don’t love dog anymore! Dog’s going to find Mommy!】
In an instant, Ruan Xingyao’s heart melted.
She tightened her arms around Baiyi and rubbed her cheek gently against its head, saying softly, “Baiyi, sweetheart, be good and wait for us at home, okay? Later, I’ll take you to see your mommy.”
Baiyi: “Erwer! Erwer?”
【Really, Xingxing? Are you really going to take me to see Mommy?】
Ruan Xingyao kissed the top of Baiyi’s head and said, “Of course. You know Xingxing never lies.”
Baiyi: “Erwer!”
【Then would Xingxing ever lie to a dog?】
Ruan Xingyao couldn’t help laughing.
She tapped Baiyi’s forehead with her finger. “I wouldn’t lie to a dog either!”
Only then did Baiyi reluctantly agree to stay home and wait for them to return.
Just then, Chen Yu said, “It’s fine to bring Baiyi along. I already got approval.”
Ruan Xingyao turned to look at him, one eyebrow lifting slightly. “Assistant Chen, not bad!”
At this rate, having an assistant like Chen Yu around didn’t seem like such a bad thing after all.
So, the four of them—and one dog—headed to the restaurant together.
Since Chen Yu had already cleared it beforehand, when they arrived they were taken directly to a spacious private room—perfect for Baiyi to run around freely.
The dishes were served quickly, all local specialties of Ningcheng, and every plate looked delicious and aromatic.
Ruan Xingyao first tried a bite of yangwei bamboo shoots—tender and crisp—which instantly whetted her appetite.
After sampling several more dishes in a row, she looked over at Chen Yu and asked, “Chen Yu, can I come eat here often from now on?”
The food was so good, she was already thinking about making this place her regular canteen.
Chen Yu replied, “You can.”
Ruan Xingyao asked again, “And can I bring Baiyi every time?”
Chen Yu said, “Sure.”
Ruan Xingyao stared at him, unblinking. “You’re answering way too easily—are you actually authorized to decide that, or are you planning to act first and explain later?”
— The end of the Chapter–
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