After leaving the dilapidated building with Lu Wanyin, Jiang Huai was still pondering what Lu Wanyin had previously mentioned—that the Night Demon Patrol organization had some form of cooperation with the state.
However, the atmosphere now was nothing like what he had expected.
While he was thinking, Lu Wanyin, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped, turned around, and clasped her hands behind her back, looking at Jiang Huai.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Huai asked in confusion.
"Close your eyes."
Lu Wanyin said淡淡ly.
Jiang Huai didn't understand her intention, but when she furrowed her brow slightly, he hurriedly closed his eyes. For some reason, he was thinking, could it be a kiss?
Had the incident with Shen An'an counted as a kiss?
At this thought, Jiang Huai's face turned slightly red, but he still shut his eyes, even forgetting to ask why she wanted to give him a gift.
In the darkness, Jiang Huai felt Lu Wanyin move closer to him, so close that he could smell the fragrance from her hair.
Then, his lips touched something.
But this slightly stiff feeling was definitely not a kiss...
Jiang Huai immediately opened his eyes and saw that Lu Wanyin had already stepped back. He then realized there was a sweet flavor in his mouth.
It was a lollipop.
"One for each of us," Lu Wanyin said as she took out another lollipop and popped it into her own mouth.
"Although I don't know exactly what happened last night, I know that you saved me."
Lu Wanyin turned her back to Jiang Huai, her voice gentle as she continued, "I won't force you to tell me what happened, but... thank you, Jiang Huai."
The sweet taste of the lollipop spread in his mouth, mingling with her words of gratitude, making this simple gift unexpectedly heartwarming.
Jiang Huai couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He had been tricked again by this girl.
But just then, Jiang Huai noticed that there was a subtle sadness on Lu Wanyin's face.
The candy in her mouth couldn't bring a smile to her face.
It was different from her usual indifferent demeanor; she seemed like she had lost something.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Huai asked.
"Well, nothing, just wanted to congratulate you, Jiang Huai, congratulations for... not turning into an infected person and successfully joining the organization."
"You don't look like you're congratulating me," Jiang Huai said, smiling.
"Then..." Lu Wanyin looked up at Jiang Huai.
"Then, the 24-hour surveillance is almost over. You... well... I won't go to your place."
Jiang Huai's expression froze. He seemed to understand what Lu Wanyin meant.
"Then I'll go back first. You... you can go home on your own, right?"
"Yeah." Jiang Huai's smile faded.
"Then, goodbye..."
Lu Wanyin lowered her head slightly, but just as she was about to pass Jiang Huai, he suddenly grabbed her arm.
"I just remembered—you can't leave."
"Huh?"
Lu Wanyin was startled by Jiang Huai's sudden move. She looked up at him but forgot to wipe away the tear that was about to fall from her eye, so she quickly lowered her head again.
"You made a mess, and it's not cleaned up yet."
Jiang Huai pulled Lu Wanyin closer, staring at her as he said, "Did you forget?"
"What mess did I make..."
Lu Wanyin muttered softly.
"You told so many people you were my girlfriend. If you suddenly leave, how am I supposed to explain it to them? Am I supposed to say I got dumped? Don't I have any pride?"
Jiang Huai looked at her with a serious face. The girl didn't expect this, and she stuttered, "I... I don't know... what you want."
"Keep the act going."
"...How long?"
"I don't know. Anyway, you can't go home now."
Lu Wanyin's face turned red, and she still didn't dare to look at Jiang Huai. "But... but Lao Yue... he... he won't agree..."
Before she could finish, the voice of Yue Qinshan suddenly came from the window on the second floor.
"Hey! What nonsense are you saying? You're using me as a shield at this point! When did I ever say I disagreed? There's barely enough space in this old house for one person, and now you're trying to squeeze in two! If you leave, I won't have to sleep on the sofa anymore! Hurry up and get out!"
Lu Wanyin angrily looked at Yue Qinshan, who was smoking at the window on the second floor. "You heartless bastard! Lao Yue! I've washed your clothes!"
"Hehe, now I've got money, I'm buying a washing machine, you know what the Industrial Revolution is? You're out of a job, girl! You're an adult now! Still sticking to me! Are you a giant baby? Jiang Huai! Take her away!"
"Lao Yue! You!"
Lu Wanyin stomped her feet in frustration.
"Alright." Jiang Huai grabbed Lu Wanyin's hand directly.
"What are you doing..."
"Let's go, I'm hungry."
Lu Wanyin hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, then looked at Lao Yue's window, sticking out her tongue and making a face.
"I eat a lot, so if you're making me act, you have to provide food and shelter."
"As long as you perform well, I'll make sure you're full."
Looking at the two of them leaving, Yue Qinshan chuckled dryly.
"Still acting tough at this age."
At some point, Du Qinghong had also gone upstairs and was standing at the door.
"Hey, you don't understand. This girl should have been independent long ago. I spoiled her, and that's why she failed the official awakening test for three years straight."
"Old Yue, do you really trust a newcomer with Wanyin?"
Yue Qinshan didn't respond but sighed deeply.
What could he do if he didn't trust him?
That girl's life was saved by Jiang Huai.
"I don't need to trust him. If Jiang Huai dares to bully my girl..." Yue Qinshan patted the revolver on his waist.
"I'll feed him iron peanuts."
...
That evening, the two of them immediately began dividing up their roles.
"I can eat three meals a day, right?" Lu Wanyin asked.
"That's a given, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and I'll even add a late-night snack for you."
"No, I need to go to bed by 10 PM, so I can have the snack now. It's already 8."
As she spoke, Lu Wanyin started taking off her clothes.
Jiang Huai hurriedly turned around. "What are you doing?"
"Taking a shower and then having a snack. After the snack, I'll brush my teeth and go to bed."
"Alright, what do you want to eat? I'll go buy it now."
Hearing the rustling sounds of clothes being taken off, Jiang Huai couldn't help but turn red.
"I want... barbecue, is that okay? The last time I had barbecue was a year ago."
Oh wow.
It's just barbecue, why does it sound so dramatic?
"Alright, you shower, and I'll go buy the barbecue for you right away."
With that, Jiang Huai grabbed his coat and walked toward the door.
"Is it really okay..."
Lu Wanyin's voice came from behind, filled with doubt.
"Actually... you don't need me to buy it. I get hungry quickly, but I can hold out. I'm used to it."
This was said so casually.
Jiang Huai almost dropped his little pearls.
"Don't worry. I've got money. A young master just gave me fifty thousand. I donated forty-five thousand to the organization, and I kept five thousand for myself."
"Young master?"
Lu Wanyin thought for a moment and then understood something. A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"I thought you'd be the type to just throw the money back and coldly say, 'Take your money and get lost.'"
Jiang Huai turned his back to her, scratching his head, unsure of what to say, but then he remembered Lao Yue's words.
"Why not make some money? I'm not an idiot."