Ruan Xingyao stayed in the hospital for two days.
As soon as she was discharged, she planned to return to Ningcheng.
The four of them arrived back at the hotel, and just as they entered the lobby, someone called out to them.
Zhou Heqing and Zhou Yuan didn’t know how long they had been waiting, but the moment they saw Ruan Xingyao, they hurried over.
Although Ruan Xingyao really didn’t want to deal with them, if it had only been Zhou Yuan, she probably would have just rolled her eyes and walked away.
But now that Zhou Heqing was also there, she couldn’t be that rude.
She forced out a fake smile. “Elder Zhou, do you need something?”
Zhou Heqing looked at Ruan Xingyao with a guilty expression.
He opened his mouth several times but stopped each time before speaking.
Ruan Xingyao, already in a foul mood, became even angrier seeing Zhou Heqing like that.
She took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation, and said, “Elder Zhou, why are you stammering like this? If it’s nothing important, we’re going back to Ningcheng.”
With that, she turned to head toward the elevator, only to be stopped again by Zhou Heqing.
Seeing that Ruan Xingyao was truly angry, Zhou Heqing finally spoke. “Expert Ruan, I’m very sorry that your experience in Changcheng wasn’t pleasant. I really have no face to ask for your help again…”
Ruan Xingyao raised her hand to interrupt him.
Her gaze was icy as she looked at Zhou Heqing. “If you know I’m unhappy, then why come to me? I think there’s nothing more I can do to help you.”
Zhou Heqing said, “Expert Ruan, I still want to ask you to help inquire about Yuanman’s cubs.”
Ruan Xingyao let out a derisive laugh. “Elder Zhou, aren’t you putting me in a difficult position? What right do I have to question this matter? Would Guan Xin and Zheng Zhihe agree? Would the Center allow it?”
Her mockery was unrestrained, making Zhou Heqing’s face flush with embarrassment.
The sarcasm in Ruan Xingyao’s eyes grew even sharper.
She said, “Elder Zhou, you should know the situation better than I do. There’s no need to make things difficult for me.”
Haichen wouldn’t lie to her, and the attitudes of Guan Xin and Zheng Zhihe were clearly suspicious.
This could only mean the Panda Center was hiding something.
And that was beyond her control.
Ruan Xingyao didn’t give Zhou Heqing another chance to speak; she strode toward the elevator.
She couldn’t stay in Changcheng for another moment.
Ruan Xingzhuo and You Huan immediately followed, and Chen Yu also kept up.
Only when passing Zhou Heqing did he pause.
“Don’t go looking for her for now,” Chen Yu said.
Ruan Xingyao and her group entered the elevator, and the doors quickly closed.
Zhou Yuan raised his hand, pointing toward the elevator, and complained to Zhou Heqing, “Grandpa, with this attitude from them, what are you even asking of her?”
Zhou Heqing sighed. “Let’s go, we’ll deal with it later.”
————-
By the time Ruan Xingyao and the others landed in Ningcheng, it was already evening.
Breathing in the familiar air, Ruan Xingyao finally felt her mood lighten considerably.
You Huan linked arms with her and reported the names of various restaurants.
“Xingxing, I’ve mentioned so many— which one do you want to go to?”
Ruan Xingyao shook her head. “I want to pick up Baiyi first.”
Ruan Xingzhuo said, “I’ll go pick him up. You and You Huan go back first.”
He definitely didn’t want his sister to be bothered by Xie Lin again.
Ruan Xingyao thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, then come back early.”
You Huan said, “I’ll have the food sent home, and Xingxing and I will wait for you to eat together when you return.”
Ruan Xingzhuo acknowledged with a word and, after seeing Ruan Xingyao and You Huan onto the car, got into the car behind them.
Chen Yu was completely ignored by all three; neither of the two cars gave him a chance to get in.
Only after both cars had driven far away did Chen Yu touch his nose and get into the car behind them.
Once seated, Chen Yu took out his phone and sent a message to Ruan Xingyao.
Ruan Xingyao had been flipping through the takeout options with You Huan, excitedly deciding which dishes to choose.
The sudden alert sound from her phone distracted her.
Picking up her phone, Ruan Xingyao’s earlier enthusiasm instantly vanished.
Chen Yu’s message read: “Xingxing, take two days to rest and adjust your mood. I’ll come see you the day after tomorrow.”
You Huan leaned over, saw the message from Chen Yu, and furrowed her brows.
“What does he want this time?” You Huan asked angrily.
Ruan Xingyao turned off her phone screen. “Most likely, he wants to take me to meet his superior.”
Hearing that, You Huan’s expression immediately turned serious.
She glanced at the driver ahead, typed a line on her phone, and handed it to Ruan Xingyao:
“Xingxing, should I find someone to take him out?”
Ruan Xingyao gaped in shock, tapped You Huan’s head, and said, “What are you thinking?”
In a lawful society, Chen Yu was still a police officer—You Huan was being way too bold.
You Huan pouted. “Then what should we do?”
Ruan Xingyao said, “Don’t think too much. Let’s just rest for two days first.”
Seeing Ruan Xingyao in this state, You Huan didn’t say anything more.
She switched back to the food delivery app and tilted her head to rest on Ruan Xingyao’s shoulder.
“Alright, then let’s keep looking for something good to eat,” You Huan said.
Ruan Xingyao’s interest was piqued again.
Following You Huan’s recommendations, she ordered takeout from two restaurants.
You Huan, keeping Ruan Xingzhuo’s preferences in mind, also ordered from two other places, scheduling the delivery so that everything would arrive just in time for them to eat once they got home.
An hour later, Ruan Xingyao and You Huan arrived home first.
The takeout began arriving shortly after.
You Huan said, “I’ll give Ruan Xingzhuo a call to see when he’ll be back.”
Ruan Xingyao nodded and made her way to the sofa, flopping down onto it.
She felt completely drained, a wave of unprecedented exhaustion sweeping through her body.
After finishing the call, You Huan turned and saw Ruan Xingyao face down on the sofa cushion, one leg and one arm dangling off the sofa.
She walked over and sat on the small sofa, speaking gently to her.
“Xingxing, Ruan Xingzhuo has picked up Baiyi and is on his way back, but…”
“What?” Ruan Xingyao mumbled.
You Huan replied, “Xie Lin came back with him.”
Ruan Xingyao was silent for a long moment before saying, “Doesn’t matter.”
She got up from the sofa and walked toward her room.
“I’ll take a shower. Since they’re back, you two go ahead and eat—don’t wait for me,” Ruan Xingyao said.
You Huan watched her retreating figure, feeling a pang of sadness.
It was obvious Ruan Xingyao didn’t want to see Xie Lin and wasn’t even interested in eating.
Just then, the sound of the door opening reached them.
You Huan immediately got up and ran over.
Sure enough, Ruan Xingzhuo had Xie Lin following him.
You Huan blocked the doorway, pulling Ruan Xingzhuo in and propping her arm against the doorframe.
She glared at Xie Lin. “What are you doing here? Are you trying to make sure Xingxing doesn’t even get to eat?”
Xie Lin froze for a moment, then looked past You Huan into the room, but didn’t see Ruan Xingyao.
The dining table was already filled with takeout, half of it being Ruan Xingyao’s favorites, yet she wasn’t sitting there.
Xie Lin’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched instinctively.
After a few seconds, he said to You Huan, “Please pass a message for me. I’ll handle things and make sure she feels at ease.”
With that, Xie Lin turned and left.
You Huan snorted, slammed the door shut, and said, “Pass a message for you? In your dreams!”
— The end of the Chapter–
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