Compared to Chen Yu’s miserable state, Ruan Xingzhuo was perfectly clean.
Even so, he was panting heavily, clearly showing the aftereffects of fighting Chen Yu.
Ruan Xingzhuo shot Chen Yu a glare, then sat down next to Ruan Xingyao.
He said, “Sis, why did you even call him back?”
After the way he had bullied his sister, he wished the guy would just disappear forever.
Ruan Xingyao didn’t answer her brother’s question.
Instead, she lifted her gaze and looked at Chen Yu.
She said, “Chen Yu, what exactly is your purpose? Do you want to capture me for research?”
Chen Yu didn’t sit down, but stood across from her.
He said, “Sorry, Xingxing. I still can’t tell you everything right now, but trust me—I’m not here to hurt you.”
He repeated that line several times, enough that Ruan Xingyao couldn’t help but re-examine him.
She could also tell that Chen Yu knew far more than he was letting on.
For example, he stressed that he wouldn’t hurt her—but at the same time, it meant there were indeed others who could hurt her at any moment.
For example, the one possibly hiding inside the Ning City Police Department—the one who leaked the case about the fried chicken shop’s landlady.
Ruan Xingyao stared fixedly at Chen Yu, as if trying to see straight through him.
Only after a long silence did she say, “Why should I believe you?”
Right now, compared to those who still hid in the shadows, Chen Yu was clearly the least trustworthy one of them all.
So why should she believe him just because of a few words?
Chen Yu’s lips tightened into a hard line.
He didn’t rush to defend himself.
He only stared at her steadily, and after a long while, finally said: “Xingxing, you should already realize this by now. Even if it’s not me, others will still come. You can’t avoid it.”
That, without a doubt, stabbed right into the sorest spot in Ruan Xingyao’s heart.
Her glare at Chen Yu grew sharp and fierce, like she was ready to set wild beasts on him the next second.
And yet, more than anyone, Ruan Xingyao knew he was right.
Her hand resting on the table clenched tightly into a fist.
At last, after building up her mental defenses over and over inside, Ruan Xingyao finally said: “Fine! Since you put it that way, I have one condition.”
Chen Yu: “Say it.”
Ruan Xingyao: “I want to meet your superior.”
Chen Yu didn’t agree immediately, but said: “I’ll go and request permission.”
Since things had reached that point, Ruan Xingyao didn’t push him any further.
In the end, he was just another employee.
Even if she got mad at him until she burst, it wouldn’t change a thing.
She averted her eyes and said: “But, Chen Yu, you’d better mean what you say—that you won’t hurt me.”
If it was just about work duties, she could understand, she could accept that.
But if Chen Yu ever had any malicious intent toward her personally, then she definitely wouldn’t let it slide.
Chen Yu raised his hand and gave her a salute.
He said, “I swear on the faith of my entire life, I will never do anything to harm Ruan Xingyao.”
His manner was sincere and solemn, as though he were making an oath under a national flag, and it made Ruan Xingyao unconsciously believe him.
At last, Ruan Xingyao’s emotions eased.
She said, “Alright then, we’ll call it even this time.”
Chen Yu lowered his hand and finally let out a long breath.
He pressed a hand to his chest and rubbed at his side, involuntarily baring his teeth in pain.
Just now, Ruan Xingzhuo had rushed in and thrown wild punches and kicks at him with no rhyme or reason, no sense of sportsmanship at all—each blow using full force, hitting him hard.
He was flesh and blood, of course it hurt.
But since Ruan Xingzhuo was Ruan Xingyao’s younger brother, he had no choice but to dodge and couldn’t hit back at all.
Now Chen Yu bared his teeth again, deliberately making sharp, hissing sounds of pain.
He was doing it on purpose—at the very least, to make Ruan Xingyao see how badly Ruan Xingzhuo had beaten him.
Ruan Xingzhuo was almost laughing in disbelief at Chen Yu’s shameless act.
Like a wolf cub, his eyes flashed viciously at Chen Yu.
This jerk actually dared to act pitiful in front of his sister!
Ruan Xingzhuo almost couldn’t hold himself back, ready to get up and drag Chen Yu out for another beating.
However, the next second, all of Ruan Xingzhuo’s anger dissipated.
Because the waiter came in with the dishes.
Ruan Xingyao’s attention was instantly drawn to the food.
She had already grabbed her chopsticks, staring eagerly at the dishes being set down.
The first one on the table was a rich-smelling beef offal soup, so fragrant that Ruan Xingyao’s mouth unconsciously smacked twice.
You Huan immediately fawned over her, ladling a bowl and placing it in front of her, not forgetting to remind her, “Xingxing, have a taste, see if it’s to your liking. But slow down, careful not to burn yourself.”
Ruan Xingyao wasn’t about to care that much—good food was the greatest thing in the world.
She had already scooped up a spoonful, blowing on it several times in her hurry before popping it into her mouth.
In an instant, all her bad mood vanished.
After two quick sips of soup, Ruan Xingyao picked up a piece of honeycomb tripe.
Its crisp, springy texture made her fall in love with it almost immediately.
She couldn’t help letting out a satisfied sigh and even gave You Huan a big thumbs-up. “Huanhuan, you’re amazing. You can find all the best food.”
You Huan patted her little chest and said to Ruan Xingyao, “Don’t worry, Xingxing. I won’t claim the whole world, but when it comes to the old famous eateries in this country, I know them like the back of my hand. And for new ones, give me a little time and I can master them all quickly too.”
Before being sent abroad, she had eaten at all these places and remembered them vividly.
Now that she’d returned, even though it hadn’t been long, with a bit of research she could easily find the best spots.
Ruan Xingyao winked at You Huan and said, “Huanhuan, from now on you’re my one and only true god.”
From beginning to end, Ruan Xingyao never paid Chen Yu any attention.
Chen Yu kept rubbing his side, hissing in pain for quite a while, yet not once did he receive even a glance from Ruan Xingyao.
Ruan Xingzhuo suddenly thought of a saying: throwing flirtatious glances at a blind man.
But in this situation, it should be: playing the victim for a deaf man.
As expected of his sister—when it came to making people uncomfortable, no one could beat her.
Chen Yu had put on his act for so long without achieving the effect he wanted, so he stopped.
He could only sigh quietly to himself, inwardly lamenting that Ruan Xingyao was, at the end of the day, still a soft-hearted and kind girl—she was still willing to let him have a meal at her table.
The moment that thought surfaced, Chen Yu could only feel helpless at himself.
Unconsciously, his gaze fell on Ruan Xingyao.
Seeing her give all her attention to the dishes on the table, his eyes flickered slightly.
But before he could withdraw his gaze, he felt the weight of a cold stare.
When Chen Yu looked over, he met Ruan Xingzhuo’s guarded, warning eyes.
Ruan Xingzhu even silently mouthed words at him:
He said, “If you dare hurt my sister, I won’t let you off!”
— The end of the Chapter–
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