Chapter 14

Watching Zhu Feng’s dazed expression, Yuan Ying let out a long sigh.

Feel better? Zhu Feng asked quietly.

Yuan Ying snorted with laughter: Much better, absolutely much better.

Zhu Feng chuckled lazily, leaning back in his chair: Good for you.

Putting on quite the magnanimous act, but deep down you’re utterly humiliated, wishing you could vanish into a crack in the ground, Yuan Ying mocked him.

Zhu Feng raised an eyebrow: You think I’m that kind of person?

Yuan Ying: …

She almost forgot—he was shameless.

Shame? Nonexistent. That particular instinct was simply missing from his wiring.

Finding this dull, Yuan Ying deliberately asked: So you really thought all along that I liked you? Even after moving into my place, you still believed that?

Zhu Feng didn’t want to answer.

Yuan Ying punched his arm.

Zhu Feng responded lazily: Yeah.

Yuan Ying gave a fake laugh, leaning back in the folding chair: You must have been so pleased with yourself back then.

Zhu Feng spread his hands: Not really.

Not only was he not pleased—he was actually frustrated by her lack of spine.

Because when they first started living together, he genuinely thought she was too weak.

She disliked team-building events but couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She hated overtime but insisted on being the last employee to leave. She knew full well her boss had ulterior motives yet maintained a facade of politeness.

Don’t you have any temper at all? Someone like you would get bullied to death where I come from.

He said this while standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes. Just three minutes earlier, he had finished the meal Yuan Ying cooked and ordered her to clean up—and she actually started tidying without a word, leaving him so exasperated he simply pushed her aside.

Yuan Ying leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching as he washed each plate and bowl, dried them with clean kitchen paper, and neatly arranged them in the cupboard.

When he finished, Zhu Feng turned and met her curious gaze.

He smirked, leaning against the counter: What are you looking at?

You’ve got a real talent for housework, Yuan Ying praised sincerely.

They had been living together for half a month. Two weeks ago, he didn’t even recognize dish soap—his whole vibe reminded Yuan Ying of a baboon fresh out of the deep wilderness.

Yet in just half a month, he had learned to wash dishes, wipe tables, mop floors, and skillfully operate household appliances.

Really impressive, Yuan Ying gave a thumbs-up, continuing to praise this clever baboon.

Zhu Feng scoffed lightly: Did you hear what I just said to you?

I heard, Yuan Ying nodded.

Zhu Feng: What did I say?

Yuan Ying repeated: Don’t do things you don’t like. Swear at people when you need to. Go crazy when it’s called for. Don’t be so mild-tempered.

So she really had listened. Zhu Feng was quite satisfied.

But that evening, Yuan Ying applied light makeup and prepared to go out.

Where are you going? Zhu Feng stopped her.

Yuan Ying: Team building.

…What did I tell you this morning?

Yuan Ying stepped around him to change shoes at the entryway: I tried to refuse, but my boss said the company owner would be there today, and it would be a good chance to bring up my probation period.

That boss of yours has always had bad intentions toward you. You actually believe what he says? Zhu Feng looked displeased.

Yuan Ying glanced up at him: He wouldn’t lie about something as important as my probation, would he?

As it turned out—yes, he would.

When she arrived at the private dining room and found only her boss waiting, she realized she had been deceived.

I’ve been waiting for you forever. Finally decided to show up? The leader in his fifties smiled, crow’s feet spreading across the corners of his eyes.

Yuan Ying scanned the empty private room, maintaining her composure as much as possible. Where are the others?

The others? Something came up for all of them, the leader said, chuckling as he returned to his seat at the table upon seeing her cold expression. It’s just the two of us today.

Yuan Ying forced a slight smile. Actually, I just remembered I have something to attend to as well. I should get going.

With that, she turned to leave.

Your evaluation form has come through, the leader suddenly declared.

Yuan Ying stopped in her tracks and turned back.

The leader smiled. Whether you get that permanent position or not… it’s really just up to me.

I’m not sure what you mean, Yuan Ying replied with a smile.

The leader clicked his tongue dismissively and casually scooped three full mugs of beer from the prepared keg, lining them up neatly on the table.

Xiao Yuan, you’re a smart girl. You should know how this works, the leader said, looking at her.

Yuan Ying’s gaze fell on the three mugs of beer. I’m afraid I don’t quite understand. Please be direct. You called me here under the pretense of a team dinner, and now you’ve poured all this alcohol. Are you implying that if I finish these drinks, you’ll approve my permanent position?

See? You do understand, the leader said, sliding the mugs toward her.

Yuan Ying: And if I refuse to drink?

The leader brushed off her question with a laugh. Xiao Yuan, you’ve always been so agreeable. There’s no way you’d disobey me.

Yuan Ying smiled too, walking unhurriedly to the table and picking up one of the mugs.

Now that’s more like it! the leader exclaimed with a hearty laugh, rising and circling the table toward her.

Yuan Ying raised the mug, watching the amber liquid as she said slowly, I am quite agreeable.

Hmm?

But being agreeable doesn’t mean I have no principles. With those words, Yuan Ying flung the entire mug of beer directly at him.

The leader never expected someone usually so meek to be so bold. Caught completely off guard, he was drenched from head to face.

He stood frozen for a long moment before finally exploding with rage upon meeting Yuan Ying’s gaze. Yuan Ying! Do you have any idea what the consequences of this will be?

Not getting the permanent position? Or being fired? Yuan Ying’s expression remained cold. I’ve been diligent and thorough in every task assigned to me during my time here. Are you saying that if I don’t drink with you, I don’t deserve to be made permanent?

The leader fumed, What does it matter how well you’ve worked? If I say you’re out, who would dare keep you?

Not even the boss would keep me? Yuan Ying retorted.

The leader sneered, What’s the boss worth? I’m the top sales performer! If I’m unhappy, I’ll take my whole team and leave. He’d be finished without us!

Yuan Ying let out a derisive snort and stopped arguing, turning to leave.

Her actions were interpreted as cowardice by the leader, who wasn’t about to let her off so easily. Just as he moved to block her, the door was kicked open.

Wasn’t this a team-building event? Why are there only two of you? Zhu Feng appeared leisurely outside, hands in his pockets.

Yuan Ying pressed her lips together and stayed silent.

Zhu Feng’s gaze went straight over her head to land on the leader’s face.

Oh, quite the drinker, are we? You’re covered in it.

The leader: …

Yuan Ying: …

Zhu Feng acted oblivious to the tension, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. He pulled Yuan Ying closer. This your boss?

Yuan Ying looked up, unsure what he was planning.

Zhu Feng flashed a radiant smile. Since the boss loves drinking, as an employee’s family member, I naturally have to offer a toast.

The boss, who had been wary of the unfamiliar man moments earlier, immediately showed disdain upon hearing this. What makes you think you’re worthy of toasting me…

Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Feng suddenly grabbed the back of his neck and shoved his head directly into the beer barrel.

This restaurant specialized in large barrel beers – wooden casks resembling foot-washing basins filled with yellow liquid packed with ice cubes.

Zhu Feng was tall and lanky with formidable strength, while the boss struggled like a helpless chick, completely overpowered.

Watching the boss’s struggles intensify, Yuan Ying finally snapped out of her daze and rushed to pull Zhu Feng away. Are you insane? You’ll go to jail for drowning someone! Let him go!

Ignoring her, Zhu Feng continued speaking cheerfully to the submerged figure. You like drinking, don’t you? Have some more.

Zhu Feng!

As the boss’s movements gradually weakened, Yuan Ying desperately punched Zhu Feng twice, but he showed no intention of releasing his grip.

Thirty seconds later, when the boss went completely still, Zhu Feng released him, letting him slide under the table like limp noodles.

Is he… dead? Yuan Ying’s breath trembled.

Zhu Feng leisurely pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands, deliberately teasing her upon seeing her frightened expression. Yes, dead.

Yuan Ying took a deep breath, suddenly grabbed the drink from the table, and gulped it down in one go.

Watching her chug the alcohol, Zhu Feng couldn’t help but chuckle. So scared you need alcohol to numb yourself?

She shoved another glass into his hand. Drink up! The drunker the better. When the staff finds the body, we’ll say he drowned himself while drunk. We know nothing about it.

Zhu Feng’s expression grew increasingly peculiar.

…Wait, he didn’t drink earlier. Should we force some alcohol down his throat while the body’s still flexible? The more nervous Yuan Ying became, the calmer she sounded. I wonder if forensic technology can determine when he drank. And his neck – you grabbed him earlier. Not sure if there’ll be marks. If necessary, we could smash something over it to destroy your fingerprints.

Yuan Ying.

That might not work either. Maybe we should pretend he’s still conscious, take him home, and destroy the evidence with fire? Yuan Ying became completely absorbed in her thoughts. He lives alone in a detached house. A fire wouldn’t affect others. Maybe…

Yuan Ying.

Zhu Feng called her name again.

She finally looked up dazedly. What?

Just as she asked, the figure on the floor suddenly gasped, turned over, and began coughing violently while face down.

Yuan Ying: ?

He’s not dead. I was just messing with you, Zhu Feng said with an infuriating smile. Will you still trust strangers so easily from now on?

Yuan Ying: …

Just as she contemplated murdering Zhu Feng, the boss on the floor finally recovered enough to point a trembling finger at him. I’m calling the police… to arrest you!

Go ahead, Yuan Ying directed all her anger from being tricked toward him. Perfect chance to tell the police how you’ve been harassing me.

The boss’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. What evidence do you have?!

Evidence? Actually, I do have some. Yuan Ying pulled out her phone, showing an ongoing recording.

The boss stared with wide, furious eyes. You… you set me up?

Who needs to scheme against you? Yuan Ying showed a disgusted expression. Hurry up and make me a regular employee tomorrow, or I’ll report you to the boss!

After saying this, she directly pulled Zhu Feng along and strode away.

Zhu Feng followed unhurriedly behind her, watching their joined hands, and for the first time realized that someone wasn’t cowardly at all.

Not only was she not cowardly, but she was quite forceful.

She even dared to destroy the evidence.

Zhu Feng curled his lips into a smile, just as a strand of her hair drifted over and brushed against his cheek.

Hey, he spoke up.

Yuan Ying didn’t turn her head: What?

If he makes you a regular employee, will you let him off? Zhu Feng asked.

Yuan Ying: Of course not. After I become a regular employee, I’ll censor my voice and send it to the boss, then post a copy online to completely ruin his reputation in this industry so he’ll never have the chance to bully women like this again.

Endure when possible, and when it becomes unbearable, find a way to eliminate the root of the problem – this had always been her way of doing things.

A low chuckle escaped Zhu Feng’s throat.

Yuan Ying suddenly stopped and looked at him suspiciously: Do you think I’m despicable?

I think you’re amazing, Zhu Feng said with a laugh.

His words came from genuine sincerity.

A girl who could protect herself was truly brave and wonderful.

Even now, when he remembered how calmly she had analyzed how to handle the body, he couldn’t help but smile.

…What are you laughing at? Yuan Ying frowned.

Zhu Feng snapped back to reality – the pond, the plants, and Yuan Ying, whom he had been separated from for three years and had only recently reunited with.

He stared at Yuan Ying for a long time until her gaze began to waver, then suddenly asked: Are you still angry with me?

Yuan Ying was taken aback: What?

Do you still resent me for suddenly disappearing back then? Zhu Feng asked more specifically.

Yuan Ying’s expression softened.

Humans really were creatures with poor memories. During the time right after he left, she had been furious, even dreaming about beating up the scumbag.

But three years had passed, and though she still wanted to chop him with a knife when they reunited, recently, seeing him every day, she sometimes couldn’t be bothered to stay angry.

Plus, during this time he had been paving the way for her, helping her with work, standing up for her – he had indeed done quite a lot… If he would apologize to her, she wouldn’t mind letting bygones be bygones.

Say something, Zhu Feng snapped his fingers in front of her eyes.

Yuan Ying came back to her senses and countered: Why did you suddenly leave back then?

Not expecting her to bring it up proactively, Zhu Feng’s eyes flickered.

Yuan Ying crossed her arms, adopting a it’s up to you posture: Whether I continue being angry with you depends on how sincere your answer is.

Zhu Feng looked at her for a long time, his expression gradually becoming serious.

Seeing this, Yuan Ying also straightened up slightly.

After a long moment, Zhu Feng took her hand. Yuan Ying’s heart stirred as she looked into his eyes.

Zhu Feng: I’m a dragon.

Yuan Ying: ?

The wind stopped, the plants stood still, and the pond water became as calm as a mirror.

Only the sound of Yuan Ying’s heartbeat remained between heaven and earth.

After who knows how long, she slowly spoke: You’re what?

Zhu Feng: I’m a dragon.

Yuan Ying: …

Well, she hadn’t misheard. He said he was a dragon.

Zhu Feng: I’m a silver dragon.

Yuan Ying: …

Oh, he’s a perverted dragon.

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