Some feelings are difficult to express through words sometimes, as they tend to come across as insipid or even a bit contrived. Only music can genuinely let the other person hear the emotions you’re trying to convey.
And you feel happy because Zhao’er understands.
Zhao’er is slightly shorter than you. She tilts her head up and says to you, "I’m hungry."
With a wide grin, you take her soft little hand, "Come on, let’s go have a feast."
You had originally planned to cook something delicious for Zhao’er yourself, but considering there was a tough battle to be fought in the evening, you decided to join Wu Qiyi in a private kitchen instead.
A so-called private kitchen is where a chef cooks specifically for one table of guests, offering one-on-one service.
The cold dishes are served first, and you, Zhao’er, Wu Qiyi, and Xi Yu sit quietly around a small mahogany round table.
When Zhao’er sees the melon seeds, she grabs a handful and shoves them all into her attractive little mouth, chewing both kernels and shells.
Seeing this, Xi Yu can’t help but hold her forehead and sigh, "Miss Zhao’er, haven’t I told you before? As a lady, one must eat melon seeds gracefully."
Zhao’er tilts her head slightly, glancing at Wu Qiyi and then at you, before saying to Xi Yu, "Yun eats them this way too."
Xi Yu turns to you with a speechless look. "Master Li, you should know you’re acting as a role model. Please try not to showcase your less desirable habits in front of Miss Zhao’er."
Shrugging your shoulders, you respond with a smile, "Alright."
No sooner had you finished speaking than Xi Yu cried out again, "Miss Zhao’er, don’t imitate his shrug!"
According to Xi Yu, Zhao’er was to undergo all the courses of a prominent lady, poised to transform her into a young miss of grace like Wu Qiyi.
However, upon hearing this, you immediately opposed it, "That’s unnecessary."
"Unnecessary?" Xi Yu turns to you with slight surprise. "Master Li, you must understand that manners are a standard by which a girl’s character and quality are judged. A girl with Zhao’er’s looks must receive the best education to truly show the most perfect aspect of herself."
You smile and looking at Zhao’er, you say, "No, she is already perfect as she is. Because she is Zhao’er."
In fact, you omitted the rest of the thought, "Because she is my Zhao’er," to be mindful of Wu Qiyi’s feelings. You kept that to yourself.
"Xi Yu, you may not understand, but in my eyes, all of the pedantic etiquette could never constrain Zhao’er. She will always just be herself."
Wu Qiyi, who had been silent up to now, finally spoke up to Xi Yu, "Mu Yun is right. What makes Zhao’er special is her pure innocence. That alone is something I, or for that matter, anyone else, cannot achieve."
"Really?" Zhao’er looks at you sideways, "Yun, am I very special?"
You reach out and gently brush aside the strands of hair that had fallen on Zhao’er’s forehead, your face lighting up with a contented smile, "To me, Zhao’er is Zhao’er, irreplaceable by anyone."
Zhao’er nods with a seemingly comprehending look, grabbing a handful of melon seeds and is about to stuff them into her mouth when she pauses. Then, she uses her index finger and thumb to pick up one and slowly brings it to her lips.
Seeing this, a radiant smile spreads across Xi Yu’s delicate face.
However, Zhao’er ends up throwing the entire seed into her mouth, shell and all, and starts chewing.
Xi Yu covers her head, sighing yet again.
Seeing this scene, both you and Wu Qiyi exchange a glance and can’t help but smile warmly at each other.
Even though spring has arrived, the nights still fall quickly. By a little after five, the sky grows especially gloomy.
Sitting in the car, Wei Shuxian looks up at the overcast sky and says, "The weather forecast mentioned that cold air will be sweeping in over the next couple of days. It seems like we will be having rainy weather for the next several days."
"Boss, do you think that guy will come tonight?"
This was already the third time Zong Wangyue had asked this question from the back seat.
Liao Yong answered for you: "He’ll definitely come back."
Zong Wangyue raised an eyebrow, his hands in his pockets, and with a smirk said, "With all of us standing here, the bastard must have seen us. I bet he won’t show up tonight, and I just hope we don’t end up busy for nothing."
You picked up the thermos from the cup holder and gulped down the jasmine tea inside. Then you spoke to everyone: "Whether that person shows up or not, tonight, we must clarify the issues that have arisen in this building and eliminate all potential dangers."
Liao Yong nodded: "That’s for sure, we’ve taken their money after all."
Hearing this, you and Wei Shuxian exchanged a look, communicating with your eyes before you pushed open the car door and stepped out.
Yang Kai and Nie Ying also came out of the club’s business van behind you. Nie Ying said, "We have to settle things tonight for sure. I can clearly feel that Yuhang City has much heavier yin energy than usual."
"That’s smog, Sister Nie," Zong Wangyue said with a laugh.
Seeing Zong Wangyue dare to doubt his own wife, Yang Kai retorted: "You don’t know squat! If my wife says it’s yin energy, then it’s yin energy."
"Alright, stop it," you said with a stern face, serious in expression, "Everyone must take this seriously. I don’t know why, but since we got off the car, my heart’s been beating noticeably faster. This seldom happens, which means that something unexpected is definitely going to happen later. So, be cautious and, above all, protect yourselves!"
The six of you exchanged glances and nodded.
At that moment, your phone buzzed in your pocket. When you looked, it was Xian Qianling calling.
"We’re in position on this side, are you ready?"
You nodded: "Yeah, we can start soon. Everything in the building needs to be cleared out before eleven o’clock."
"Okay." Xian Qianling paused for a moment, her voice suddenly softening somewhat, "Be careful."
"Don’t worry, I won’t die!"
After chuckling and hanging up the phone, you grabbed Zong Wangyue by the neck and said cheerfully, "Zongzi, you’re definitely going to make a name for yourself tonight!"
Zong Wangyue’s face twitched: "Boss, I have no interest in becoming famous. I just want to live a good life, hoping my two little treasures will give me two, no, four chubby boys or girls."
You patted Zong Wangyue on the shoulder and couldn’t help but laugh out loud: "Look at you with your mosquito courage! Let’s go; your brother’s got you."
And so, the two of you stepped into the deserted building.
Even before your arrival, Xian Qianling had already cleared the building, also making sure that within a hundred-meter radius there wasn’t a single person around.
In the vast lobby of the building, only the sound of your two sets of footsteps echoed.
According to your instructions, the security guards left half the lights on when they left, making it look somewhat gloomy and even more unsettling.
"B-Boss, it’s dark and creepy here. Why do I feel more and more scared?"
Zong Wangyue hunched his body and took a few steps forward.
"Even without that stuff here, just wandering around this place late at night could scare someone half to death or leave them crippled. Don’t you think so, boss... Boss?"
Zong Wangyue turned around, and people... where were they?