Qin Feiwan’s finger felt a dull ache from the ring, and her heart began to throb with it, a dense, persistent pain.
She hadn’t seen him in so long. Now he’d even learned to show concern for girls.
Who had taught him all this? She quickly skimmed the text.
Her little radish had changed so much.
Chen Guochao flung the short knife in his hand, and those who tried to approach Huo Rou fell to the ground. He cast a deep gaze at Qin Feiwan before him, his eyes brimming with an inexpressible longing.
How he wished he could always stay by her side.
But those days were destined not to come. He collected the emotions in his eyes before removing his jacket from Qin Feiwan’s face and then draped it over her.
“Put it on, you’ll be cold,” Chen Guochao said softly.
Only then did Qin Feiwan get a clear look at Chen Guochao.
He was taller than before. His face, usually quick to break into a smile, was now set in a serious expression. Though he still had a buzz cut, his entire demeanor was nothing like the little radish he used to be.
Qin Feiwan pulled the jacket tighter around herself, absorbing the warmth from the fabric. After so much longing, she had long ago confirmed one thing: she liked this person.
But now he stood before her, with the same big eyes, the same buzz cut, even the same skin tone as before. Standing next to him was like being next to an Oreo.
Everything seemed unchanged, yet she felt a flicker of doubt.
“Are you okay?” Qin Ningyi asked as he finished dealing with the people on his end and came over.
Huo Rou stretched her wrists and smiled, shaking her head. “I’m fine. It’s Sister Qin who was scared.”
Qin Ningyi looked at Qin Feiwan and immediately noticed the unfamiliar jacket on her and the person beside her who shouldn’t be there.
He walked forward and greeted Chen Guochao, “Why are you here?”
Chen Guochao seemed more at ease speaking with Qin Ningyi. He gestured to Huo Rou, a flash of his white teeth appearing. “Protecting her. I’m her bodyguard.”
Huo Rou let out a scoff.
Earlier, she might have thought he was here to protect her. But after what had just happened, any discerning person could see who he was truly here to protect.
When danger struck, he abandoned his sister to save his elder sister.
How had she never noticed Chen Guochao being so perceptive and so gentle and considerate before? He used to refuse to carry her schoolbag even if he was half-beaten to death. Now, he actually knew that girls get cold.
The sky was about to rain red!
Chen Guochao, seeing the teasing in Huo Rou’s eyes, turned away with a hint of embarrassment.
He had no chance of winning against Huo Rou, so he chose to evade. It wasn’t the first time, after all.
Qin Feiwan had been reminiscing, looking at Chen Guochao’s familiar smile, when she heard him say that. Instantly, the light in her heart dimmed, and the world turned gray.
“You’re Huo Rou’s bodyguard too?” she asked, clearing her throat. “Didn’t you say you were joining the army? Why are you doing security?”
He had once said he would join the army to protect the country, and also to protect her…
Though it might have been a childish promise, she seemed to have taken it seriously.
Qin Ningyi smiled, about to explain, but Chen Guochao answered first. “Huo Rou’s project team applied for me. It’s a critical period, so I brought my men over.”
“Oh.” Qin Feiwan nodded her head down.
Chen Guochao looked at her slightly messy hair. He raised his hand a few times, wanting to tidy it for her, but finally withdrew his hand with a sigh.
Just then, his subordinate returned with a report after finishing his inspection. Chen Guochao casually slipped his hands into his pockets and asked, “What happened?”
“It’s the men of the boss we’ve been tracking.”
Ever since Huo Rou felt something was amiss, the various forces protecting her had been investigating together. They soon found the person behind Shen Yuanshu, whom they referred to as "the boss."
Their ambition had not died down, and they would surely make another move. But no one had expected them to be so clever this time, learning to set traps.
Qin Ningyi also turned back and asked, “Where is the boss?”
“He ran,” the person behind Qin Ningyi quickly replied. “When our men pursued him, he disappeared without a trace. This operation was likely his desperate gamble, directed remotely.”
Huo Rou glanced at the string of people who had been apprehended and expressed some dissatisfaction. “They wouldn’t necessarily lose in a direct competition. They’re always resorting to these tricks and still enjoy it.”
Qin Feiwan looked towards the almost indistinguishable entrance to the auction venue in the distance. She sighed, “Why don’t we just go home?”
Her good mood had been ruined. Seeing the mess of people on the ground, she had no interest in the auction anymore.
Besides…
Qin Feiwan glanced at Chen Guochao beside her. She wanted to make things clear.
Clearing her throat, her red lips curved into a smile, as if returning to her usual open and cheerful self. “Besides, we haven’t seen each other in so long. Let’s go home and sit for a while.”