After several days of staying, Ren Yuanhao finally returned to his familiar Ai Shen City.
As soon as he stepped into the rental, sunlight slanted through the window lattice, dancing on the floor like playful sprites. The verdant camphor leaves rustled against the spotless blue glass, making a whispering sound. Everything seemed like yesterday; the refrigerator’s soft blue light still flickered, and the alarm clock on the bedside table seemed dust-free.
Huh? Dust-free?
Ren Yuanhao suddenly thought of something. As he was wondering, he saw a woman in a white gauze nightgown lying on his bed, her breaths as gentle as grass swaying in the breeze under the sun.
She seemed to sense the presence of someone in her sleep, her eyelashes fluttering. As she turned slightly, her skin like solidified cream, it made one’s heart race. Who else could it be but Zhang Yingfang?
Ren Yuanhao’s face turned red. Just as he was about to cautiously retreat, Zhang Yingfang woke up from her sleep. Seeing the familiar figure standing at the door, her heart fluttered, and she couldn’t help but murmur, “Yuanhao? You… you’re back?”
As soon as she spoke, Ren Yuanhao stood at the door like a statue, his heart pounding. It took him several seconds to respond with a trembling voice, “I… I just got back.”
He didn’t turn around, but with his sharp hearing, he could tell that Zhang Yingfang had gotten out of bed and was slowly walking towards him.
“You left without saying goodbye. I was afraid the house would be empty for too long, so I moved in. You won’t mind, will you?”
“Uh, no, no. Zhang Jie, you’re very considerate.”
Zhang Yingfang was now behind Ren Yuanhao, her breath like orchid fragrance. “Yuanhao, are you just going to stand there?”
“Uh, I just remembered I haven’t had breakfast, so…”
“I’ll make it for you. You’ve had a long journey, so rest first. The sheets are new. There are some drinks and mung bean soup in the refrigerator. If you’re really hungry, there’s fresh milk in the shelf above the refrigerator, along with wafers and bread.”
Ren Yuanhao felt a surge of emotion for no reason. As a single man, he naturally had a comprehensive understanding of the women he had encountered during this period.
Zhang Yingfang was definitely the kind of virtuous helper one would want to marry. She was gentle and virtuous. Ye Lan was the kind of woman who could be a confidante and also a walking encyclopedia of the martial world. Yang Lingxue was the kind of woman who could play with you, go crazy with you, and have endless positive energy. Shen Lanni was more like a brother, or a big sister.
Each had her own charm, exuding a breathtaking beauty like rosy clouds.
But now, the most perilous thing was Zhang Yingfang’s attire, coupled with her voluptuous figure. How could Ren Yuanhao, a single man, withstand it?
Seeing Ren Yuanhao still standing fearfully behind the door, Zhang Yingfang glanced at herself. A slight blush crept onto her face, then she smiled and went into the bathroom with a pile of clothes.
When she came out, she walked directly to Ren Yuanhao’s side, smiled gently, and said, “Alright, you won’t avoid me now, will you?”
Ren Yuanhao scratched the back of his head, a flush of red on his face.
Speaking of which, Ren Yuanhao had been resting for so many days since the competition that he felt like he was growing moss all over. While he could be said to have had a long journey, his spirits had never been better.
Lying on the bed, he naturally couldn’t sleep. Just then, the system, which had been dormant for days, finally transmitted the pleasant melody of an order.
“DiDi, you have a new order. Please review it and prepare accordingly.”
“Sigh, mentioning orders always reminds me of sad things.”
“What sad things?”
“Owing you money.”
“A mere thousand points is just two orders. Cheer up, maybe there will be unexpected gains.”
“Give me a break. Every time I hear you say ‘unexpected gains,’ my heart races. Haven’t they all been perilous situations?”
“Isn’t there an old saying, ‘If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how can you catch the tiger’s cub?’ If you don’t have this awareness, how can you become famous throughout the world in the future?”
“Famous throughout the world? Forget it. I don’t have such grand ambitions. Besides, most people who want to become famous end up badly. Goodbye.”
As expected, the system’s voice faded away after the word ‘goodbye.’ Ren Yuanhao, who had snapped back to reality, could now smell the faint aroma of pepper, the fresh scent of vegetables, and the familiar scent of steaming noodles.
“I heard this is a special snack from your hometown. I even went to your hometown specifically for this, visited your uncle and aunt, and learned this skill.” Zhang Yingfang, completely oblivious to Ren Yuanhao’s stunned expression, brought the large bowl of noodles to the small table. “Come, try it. Does it have some of Auntie’s skill?”
“Wait, wait a minute. You went to my house?” Ren Yuanhao’s mouth fell open.
“Yes, they were repairing the road in the village, saying it was a 50-meter wide avenue. I thought they were building an airport. When I heard about it, I learned it was all funded by you. Did you perhaps use your profession to get involved with a rich patron?”
— Damn it? A 50-meter wide avenue? Will they also erect a monument or statue for me at the entrance of the village for people to admire day and night, singing praises of my great achievements? Just thinking about it feels too ostentatious!
Ren Yuanhao didn’t reply, but his face was as if he were in a daze until Zhang Yingfang waved her hand in front of his eyes, bringing him back to reality.
“Uh, right, are my parents doing well?”
“They are very well. Your aunt even took me to the mountains to pick wild mushrooms. It was very fun.”
— My goodness, Mom and Dad, you’re too welcoming! Can’t you have some principles!
Ren Yuanhao’s expression was a mixture of black lines. However, the bowl of noodles in front of him whetted his appetite.
He habitually picked up the noodles and blew on them to cool them. The moment they entered his mouth, the satisfaction he felt after harvesting something in his childhood instantly surged through his limbs.
“How is it?”
“90 points. The remaining 10 points are so you don’t get too proud.”
“You glib-tongued man. Hey, do you have any work to do today?”
Zhang Yingfang rested her chin on her hand, her skin as fair as condensed snow, seemingly with a plan already in mind.
“Yes, I do. After I finish this bowl of noodles, I’ll probably have to go to work.”
— Ah, damn debt!~
Ren Yuanhao was focused on eating his noodles, completely unaware of Zhang Yingfang’s slightly wistful face.
However, the wistful expression was quickly replaced by joy. Zhang Yingfang rested her chin on her hands, content just watching Ren Yuanhao.
Meanwhile, about ten kilometers away in the suburbs, inside rows of old houses, several young ladies wearing light makeup were practicing diligently. Although it wasn’t noon yet, their clothes were already damp with fine sweat.
A young lady in a white thin gauze Hanfu suddenly fainted. Her sisters beside her turned pale with worry.
“What should we do? We’ve practiced for so long, and it’s finally the day of the performance. Qingluo, she…”