Chapter Seventy: Reunion (Call for Votes!)

(First update of the day)

Chapter Seventy: Reunion

“Beautiful Miss Yaya, look quickly! That tall, spinning iron wheel is the amusement park of K City. That’s called a Ferris wheel—if it’s a spring afternoon, sitting inside with the one you love, leisurely enjoying the sunlight and beautiful scenery, it’s simply a wonderful experience…”

“Beautiful Miss Yaya, look, that’s the largest domed theater in K City. Next month, a world-class orchestra will be performing there. A young lady as refined as you is sure to appreciate such elegant music.”

“Wow! Beautiful Miss Yaya…”

Inside an extended luxury car, Young Master Xu seemed to have had his inner universe lit up, bursting with energy as he eagerly chattered away beside Yaya, sparks practically flying in his eyes.

In the adjacent seat, Cabbage sat with a long face, arms crossed, grinding her teeth in frustration, her expression stormy as she watched Young Master Xu shower Yaya with attention…

Admittedly, she had no interest in this spoiled rich brat, but—this jerk! Wasn’t he always circling around her before? Now, seeing this girl named Yaya, he was like a fly drawn to cream!

Cabbage puffed up her cheeks in indignation—there was yet another reason for her growing dislike: this girl had actually been living with Chen Xiao all along?!

“Beautiful Miss Yaya, look, that’s the tallest building in the city, X Tower. The revolving restaurant at the top is the best French restaurant in K City, both in atmosphere and cuisine. If I ever had the chance to dine there with such a lovely young lady…”

Finally, Young Master Xu’s relentless barrage of flattery drew a response from Yaya—the girl had been gazing wide-eyed out the window, fascinated by the passing scenery. For a girl who spent all her days shut indoors, the vibrant world outside was dazzling and overwhelming.

“Excuse me…” Yaya finally blushed, speaking up shyly.

Seeing Xu’s eager face, she smiled apologetically. “Excuse me, is the fried rice in the French restaurant delicious?”

“Fried… fried rice?”

“Yes.” Yaya smiled sweetly. “Chen Xiao really likes fried rice, you see.”

Fried… fried rice…

Young Master Xu silently swore he would never eat fried rice again for the rest of his life!

The car made its way down the derelict street, soon finding the “Riback” café—on this rundown stretch, the few open shops were easily spotted.

No sooner had they stepped inside than they saw Chen Xiao standing in a daze. Yaya, leading the way, caught sight of him and her eyes lit up with joy. With a delighted squeal, she spread her arms wide and skipped toward him.

“Xiao Wu!!!”

From behind, an even more exuberant voice rang out, and a figure dashed past Yaya at lightning speed, grabbing Chen Xiao’s shoulders in a fierce, brotherly embrace!

“Xiao Wu, I never thought we’d live to see each other again!” Xu’s face was full of mischief, but his hand thumped Chen Xiao’s back hard, and he whispered with a wicked grin, “You rascal! If the police hadn’t found your family, we’d never have known you were playing house with a hidden beauty.”

Old Tian had said before that after Yaya was taken by the police, she’d been reunited with Xu and the others. So Chen Xiao knew his friends would soon learn about Yaya. Hearing the teasing accusation and feeling the drumming fists on his back, he could only offer a wry smile. “Well… she’s just…”

“Xiao Wu! I’m heartbroken! All these years, and I never knew you liked the adorable, loli type.” At an angle only Chen Xiao could see, Xu gave him a big thumbs up and winked. “You sly dog! Hiding such a rare treasure at home.”

From the back of the shop, a chubby man in an apron, holding a kitchen knife, came running out, his face still dotted with fish scales. The moment his eyes landed on Yaya, his jaw dropped and his squinty eyes opened wide, staring unblinking at her.

Sunlight poured through the large windows of the quiet café, framing Yaya as she stood by the glass. The light touched her face, lending an indescribable freshness to her purity. She looked like a crystalline work of art, her spotless white dress radiant, as if even the sun’s fragrance clung to her.

The fat man was stunned. He was dazzled. He was dumbfounded. And then… he started to drool.

And then… the hand holding the kitchen knife went slack…

And then—

“Aaahhh!!!”

A piercing scream shattered the reunion’s warm atmosphere. The fat man was now hopping on one foot in the corner, clutching his left foot, a bloodstained knife on the ground…

From the kitchen, a fiery figure burst out. Zhu Rong, dressed head-to-toe in red leather—how she could bear such heat was anyone’s guess, but perhaps fire-wielders were naturally resistant to warmth.

“Huh?”

Zhu Rong’s eyes landed on Yaya, and she beamed, rushing over to give her a thorough once-over. “Chen Xiao, so this is the blue… mm you’ve been hiding at home?”

Fortunately, noticing the guests, Zhu Rong swallowed the last word—“blood”—but her excitement was enough to scare Yaya. Intimidated by the flame-clad woman, Yaya shrank behind Chen Xiao, gently tugging at his sleeve.

“Ahem.” Chen Xiao forced a smile and cleared his throat. “Let me introduce everyone.”

He pointed to Zhu Rong, “This is Sister Rou.”

To Xu and Cabbage, “My friends, Xu Yifan and Bai… mm.”

Pausing, he gestured at the fat man.

The fat man straightened excitedly, chest puffed out, eyes hopeful as he gazed at the delicate, ethereal Yaya.

Zhu Rong waved him off. “That one’s just a stray we picked up. He’s our temporary chef—no need for introductions.”

The fat man picked up his kitchen knife in dejection, but faced with Zhu Rong’s authority, he dared not protest, though he wept inwardly, “Chefs have names too! Chefs have rights! Even a nobody deserves a name…”

Zhu Rong’s eyes narrowed. “What’s with the face, fatty? Got a problem?”

“Uh… well, ma’am, I just remembered the fish still needs gutting…” He hobbled awkwardly back to the kitchen.

Later, as they sat and talked, the conversation turned to the day Chen Xiao stayed behind to cover their escape, sending Cabbage and Xu off first. Xu put aside his joking and said solemnly, “Xiao Wu, I owe you my life.”

“Well, actually… it’s nothing…” Chen Xiao rubbed his nose.

“I know. The factory exploded afterwards. If I’d stayed, I’d be dead by now.” But soon, Xu reverted to form, quickly steering the topic back to Yaya, stroking his chin and eyeing Chen Xiao with a sly grin. “You sure kept this quiet—a blossom like her, hidden at home for so long. And… well, this girl’s background is odd. If it weren’t for my help, the police would’ve taken her in as an undocumented alien.”

With the Xu family’s influence in K City, arranging legal papers for Yaya was no trouble.

“Here, ID card, birth certificate, academic proof… even a social medical insurance card. I’ve sorted it all out for you.” Xu fished a stack of documents from his pocket and laid them before Chen Xiao. “But, can you honestly tell us where this little sister came from?”

Chen Xiao hesitated.

Zhu Rong smiled slightly, glancing at Xu. “So you’re the Xu family’s boy. Hmph, I suppose your father doesn’t discipline you much?”

Xu, usually so flippant, became oddly respectful in the presence of the fiery Zhu Rong. He stood up, nodded politely, and replied with the utmost decorum, “Yes. My father instructed me that if I met you or any of the others, I must be respectful and obey. Whatever you ask of the Xu family, we will comply.”

A complex look flickered in Zhu Rong’s eyes. After a moment of silence, she sighed softly. “We’re all retired old folks now. There’s no need for requests or commands. Your father means well, and I find you a likable kid. No need to be so formal—just be yourself. Don’t copy your father’s scheming businessman act.”

Chen Xiao listened, curiosity piqued—it seemed Xu’s father really did have some secret connection to the Service Society. The Black Knight affair, and earlier, when Xu’s father recommended Lu Bancheng to entrust them with a mission, both pointed to that.

But Chen Xiao was not one to pry. If these old-timers didn’t explain themselves, he wouldn’t ask—he’d already learned their ways: whatever they wished to say, they would; what they didn’t, it was pointless to inquire.

(It's the weekend, so this chapter is a bit short, but there will be another, longer one tonight.)

Keep those votes coming.